Little Ways Pay Off in Big Dividends

After months of what seems to be "little" accomplishments, part of me longs to hear about some of God’s BIG ways – BIG wins – BIG worthwhile news – BIG discoveries like a cure for Covid. But, from so many biblical indicators – God seems to work best in the “littles”.

Just think about the “littles” that God used to make something big. Like, making the first man out of LITTLE dust. Like the LITTLE boy with the LITTLE lunch that fed over 5,000. Like the LITTLE shepherd boy, David, who slew the giant with a stone and sling and conquered the Philistine army. And, then there’s Gideon who was the "smallest" in the "least" clan who saved an entire nation. He started with an army of 24,000 and God required him to reduce it to a LITTLE army of 300. God likes LITTLE.

Saint Thérèse de Lisieux said: "Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.” She was known for serving God in such beautiful, “little ways”. In this “3rd act of my play”, I find myself doing many “little things” in “little ways” to serve God. It’s a sweet way to live one day at a time and serving in the process.

One of my “little ways” is this blog each day, desiring to spread good news. I am very aware that when I point one finger out to my readers, there are four pointing back at me, so I better practice what I preach! Yesterday, LITTLE was my goal. I’m not tooting my own horn or seeking an “atta girl”! But, how can I give action words without action on my part? So, these were my "little ways". I sent words of encouragement to some friends via text messages and messenger. Went grocery shopping for my friends. And, the gal I helped a couple of weeks ago who fell on the walking path? I give her Jesus in daily text messages and, yesterday, gave her and her daughter cards that express my love and God's love to them.

Here’s my motive for today's blog. We need to take the lid off of LITTLE. Yes, God likes LITTLE. In fact, He sent His beloved Son to earth as a LITTLE baby and changed everything about life, death, eternity and giving the hope for mankind of never perishing and living with Him forever and ever if we believe in Him. Now, that’s what I call BIG! And, that little baby boy grew up and said, “All it takes is a LITTLE mustard seed of faith to move mountains.” Yes, God specializes in making BIG out of LITTLES. He told the “little children” to come to Him. He directed the disciples to get a "little" coin out of a fish's mouth to pay their taxes. Quite frankly, LITTLE is MUCH when God is in it. Yes, LITTLE is much when we follow Christ’s example. We’ll find that LITTLE ways pay off in BIG dividends. What will be your LITTLE today?

Lost…..and May Never Be Found

A friend’s Facebook post said: “There are five things that you cannot recover in life:
The Stone...........after it's thrown,
The Word...............after it's said,
The Occasion......after it's missed,
The Time.............after it's gone.
A person...............after they die
I realize this so much now. Life is too short. As I get older I just want to live in peace and harmony and have joy because it can all be gone in an instant. Give love and forgive each other. For you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”


Such true words, and great reminder of “living with no regrets”. I don’t want to say “I wish I hadn’t”, “I wish I didn’t” “If only….” I said that to myself as I was trimming my trees and bushes (4 large trash bags full). I looked at my bushes afterwards, pleased that they’re ready for stringing my Christmas lights on them. WHAT? Christmas? Already? Where did this year go? And, like my friend’s post said -- we can’t get that time back!

I’m going to keep that “no regrets” mindset. I’m purposing to pray each day and live by this scripture: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O God!” (Psalm 19:14) In fact, I’ve declared it as my new life scripture. I add my words to that scripture: ”also acceptable to my family, my friends and everyone I encounter in this day.” Words too quickly spoken can be regret “stones”. Please, Lord, keep a gate on my mouth and mind.

I made sure I was seizing the moments yesterday at Children’s Hospital. Patients went on a scavenger hunt throughout the hospital. At my Radiology station, I stamped their scavenger hunt cards and gave them a goody bag. I embraced the glow on those kiddos faces! No regrets! A contest was given for the hospital staff's best costumes. I loved my Radiology's team's great idea -- a ride at Six Flags!

Then, I made way to my "stomping grounds" in Tulsa. First order of “no regret” was celebrating Mom’s 97th birthday. Bonus was my great grand niece, Anna, was there and getting to love on her. Then to top off my day was staying at my besties' and capturing Sheila reading to her little angel granddaughter, Penelope. Be still my heart!

Tomorrow, I’ll be driving my beloved mentor, Sister Marie Pierre to our last First Weekend of November, Fall Retreat at Cherokee Lodge on Fort Gibson Lake. Oh, the memories of God showing off there with so many precius women who sat at the feet of Sister Pierre over the years, gleaning from her wisdom of serving God in practical Christian living.

After the retreat, I’ll head to Austin with my grands for a week or so. Some of life's greatest lessons come from firsthand experience. And those experiences teach us "living with regrets" or "living with NO regrets". The latter on that statement is truly the way to go. Believe me, I've known both. Those times we "miss it" are surely those times we learn from the most. Life is so short and making the most of everything we can when the opportunities arise, not only produces sweet memories, but it makes for deepening our relationships with each other.

Are you seizing those moments, minutes, days of YOUR life? We are here at this place, and this moment of time, for a specific purpose that God gave for only us to fulfill. Let's be done with just going with the flow....and let's live ALL IN! Let's look for those moments in this day that are over-the-top outrageous, once-in-a-lifetime moments, so that tomorrow, we'll look back and say, "I lived with no regrets!"

Holy Saturday = Miracle in the Making

Holy Saturday! Today it seemed all hope was gone. Jesus was dead. He was laid to rest. His body was anointed and wrapped in clean linens, then was laid in a tomb. The stone was rolled over the entrance and now it surely seemed to be the end.

Up to this point, death was final. But while those He lived with, laughed with, and cried with, were in their deepest sorrow – the GREATEST of all MIRACLES was

taking place. Jesus was conquering death, hell and the grave, and this tomb would soon be empty and Jesus would soon show Himself alive to His disciples. I love this. Dumb devil! He thought he had won, but 1 Corinthians 2:8 says "None of the rulers of this world understood it, because if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." And, from that point to today.....we continue to give that dumb devil the reminder that "We know the rest of the story, and the end of the BOOK, and WE WIN!"

You Are Living Stones

I have a birds-eye view from my office window, of the house being built across the street from me (pictured here). It’s really quite amazing how – just a couple of weeks ago – there was just a vacant lot. It is gradually becoming a home that will soon have happy occupants inside. For the first time, I’ve become keenly aware of the intricate, detailed, precise artistry of the stonemasons. Each rock is random in shape and size, but is actually hand-picked to connect to its neighboring rocks and precisely placed for the forces and elements of nature that will come, yet those stones will withstand the test of time. I took photos of this house, and put together this collage yesterday. You can see the house at the top, the photo at the bottom left is the brilliant stonemason, and the bottom right is the stone cutter. Patience, endurance, and an eye for the layout to be concise – not to mention, their exquisite craftsmanship certainly entitles them to bear the name "Master Artists".

I'm amazed as I think about us, God’s masterpieces, and His plans and purposes for our lives and what all, and who all, He had in mind when He created us. We may feel like random works of art, but, oh no, He had specific "stones" that would be connected to our lives. He had our families in mind; He had our friends in mind; He had those He would want us to influence in mind; He had our generation in mind; He had the future generation in mind. We were hand-picked to connect to people with the knowledge that what we do and who we are, will withstand the test of time……to eternity. My prayer is “Use me, Lord! Please pick me! Oh, great, Chief Cornerstone, may I be one of your “living stones” used as a stepping stone for others to come to You! (I Peter 2:5 “You are living stones…..")

"We are works of art, and we are artists at work."