little things…

Isn’t it amazing how something simple can make a big difference? I have had to admit that I need to use reading glasses when I read with my contact lenses in. This is only for when I am reading from books or newspapers, but the ‘off the peg’ reading glasses I bought from a well-known high street chemist have stopped me squinting or trying to read at arm’s length.

I have also ordered a large computer monitor so I can increase the size of the fonts on the screen and don’t have to strain to read them when I am typing. It arrived yesterday and is lovely. 21.5 inches of big, bright, bold, beautiful monitor. It’s so big I have to turn my head to look from one side to the other!

But very soon I will be used to wearing the reading glasses and I will be used to the large monitor. I will take for granted the positive difference that they are making. And sadly the same is often true in church life. We become familiar with the little things that people do, which make a difference. Eventually we even take them for granted. And then we only notice when they don’t happen.

We would notice if the person who sets up the computer and projector each week is not there and the set-up goes wrong. We would notice if someone is not there to operate the PA system and people can’t hear properly. We would notice if there is nobody there to welcome us. We would notice if there is nobody to make the tea and coffee. We would notice if someone is not there to set out the bread and wine for communion. e would notice if nobody had arranged any flowers. We would notice if musicians were not around and we had to sing unaccompanied. We would notice if the church was not cleaned. We would notice if there was nobody to look after the children’s groups. We would notice if… [fill in the blanks].

And that’s just Sundays!

So our challenge today and for the rest of the week is to notice the little things that people do and have done for many years and which we are in danger of taking for granted. And to say, “Thank you.”

That way people know that we appreciate them and that God is grateful for what they are doing.

The big question is whether anyone would notice if the Minister failed to turn up!

Be blessed, be a blessing.

A couple of centuries ago a farm boy accidentally overturned his cart load of corn. The farmer who lived nearby heard the noise. “Hey Wiggins!!” the farmer yelled. “Forget your troubles. Come in with us for a cup of tea. Then I’ll help you get the cart up.”

“That’s very nice of you, ” Wiggins answered, “but I don’t think Father would like me to. I think he would want me to turn the cart back on its wheels now.”

“Oh, come on,” the farmer insisted. “He won’t mind.”

“Well okay,” the boy finally agreed, and added under his breath, “But Father won’t like it.”

As they were drinking their tea the farmer’s wife came in. “Hello Wiggins,” she said, “Why don’t you stay for supper?”

Wiggins hesitated. “I don’t think Father would like me to,” he said sheepishly. “I really ought to turn that cart back on its wheels.”

The farmer’s wife insisted and eventually Wiggins agreed, but added under his breath, “Father won’t like it.”

After a hearty meal, Willis thanked his hosts. “I feel a lot better now, but I know Father is going to be really upset.”

“Don’t be foolish !” the neighbour said with a smile. “By the way, where is he?”

“Under the cart.”