Little Things and Lemonade

Someone once said, “Don’t sweat the little stuff, and believe me, it’s all little stuff.” This goes back to the idea of personal perspective. The pessimist tends to find a raindrop in a partly cloudy sky while an optimist finds a rainbow. One sees sour grapes and the other makes lemonade. Perhaps a better way to put it would be the concept of hope. I read from the Sacred Space Internet prayer site this morning that “hope that sees for itself is not hope, but hope that sees what it cannot see waits with endurance.” It all comes down to the details in life that seemingly make no difference unless we can view the bigger picture.

The scripture quote from today is from Luke chapter 13. Jesus asks the crowd what the kingdom of heaven is like and he proceeds to answer his own question with images people of his time could identify with. What he clearly alludes to is the idea of faith in the little things and hope in the bigger things to come. When we take the time to focus on those seemingly insignificant details in life then we can see how they lead us to the end result. Jesus uses the mustard seed to describe the notion that even the smallest belief can yield something much greater in scope like the bush that grows in the garden from the tiniest seed. He uses the image of yeast being added to three measures of flour to cause the dough to rise. I think we all sometimes fail to see our impact on the lives of others because life is so much larger than the scope of our individual lives. I think voter apathy is a direct example of this notion. Don’t be fooled, we all make a difference!

This past Sunday afternoon gave me a personal perspective on the whole concept. Our Cub Scout pack gathered at the local humane society to tour the facility, donate needed items and to walk some of the dogs being sheltered there. I could not help but be touched by the way families came together and brought a few moments of happiness to animals that had been abandoned, abused or neglected. Clearly there was a “bigger picture” being developed here than met the eye. We talk of compassion, and yet if we are not willing to give it then what is the use? If we do not see the yearning in a child’s eyes to be led and be taught how to live, then what business do we have putting on the impression that we truly want to raise and lead them? I hope that in some small way I have brought those little things to light for you today so that tomorrow brings a brighter view.

Please take a moment to check out this video from the group "The Boy Least Likely To." Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w54RJYpeHVk