Little Things

Recently I had stopped by the convenience store to fill up with gas.  As I was getting out 
of the car, I heard a coin hit the pavement.  I stopped to see what I had lost.  I have a 
philosophy that if it's a penny, I don't bother; anything else and I pick it up  (I know what 
Ben Franklin said about a penny, but I still don't bother to pick it up).  Well, it was a 
penny so I left it for some other lucky person and I proceeded to fill up with gas.

As I approached ten dollars worth of gas, I began to slow down the pump:  $9.94, $9.96, 
$9.99, $10.01.  Oops!  As I walked around the car to go into the store, I realized I needed 
one penny to finish paying for my gas.  You guessed it, of course.  I reached down and 
picked up that penny that seemed so unimportant a few moments ago, but which was now 
essential to paying for my gas bill.  

LITTLE THINGS are often far more important than we might realize.  Our Lord 
recognized this principle.  Jesus taught, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also 
be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest 
with much"  (Luke 16:10).  On another occasion, Jesus complimented a lady who gave 
very little – half a penny.  But because of her heart, she has been remembered through the 
centuries for her generosity.  Again, Jesus said that unless we accept the Kingdom of God 
as LITTLE children, we will never enter into it.

It is the little things that so often make a big difference – a smile, a pat on the back, a 
kind word, etc.  Let's be alert to the little things.

Appreciating you,

Leslie S. Chapman