"After the Fall" Series – Appreciate the Little Things
There are times in life where I get so busy with the tasks at hand – caring for the home, my children, being a husband, the jobs that go along with being a pastor, etc. And in that busyness, it’s very difficult to stop and see the little things that really do mean something. I mean, how often do I miss the small little kiss that Jayden wants to give, or the good grade that Gabe worked so hard to get, or the little dance that Blake does while watching his favorite show, or the play that Drew made on the basketball court, or the delicious meal that Caroline just made?
And so I’m reminded during the Thanksgiving Season, that once again, I get it right sometimes and other times I miss the mark completely. I only hope that by next Thanksgiving I will be standing before you saying that I’m getting it right more than wrong.
Craig’s testimony has been a God-send to me – reminding me what’s most important in life. And his accident was his God-send – reminding him where his priorities should be. It’s clear to see that Craig’s accident has had a profound impact on the way he, and others, now view life. Coming so close to death made him “start to appreciate what an amazing gift life is.” Craig now sees the joys of life’s often-overlooked blessings and the folly of pursuing material possessions. Even his friend Steve adds that what happened to Craig has made him slow down and “identify what’s important in my own life.”
What about you? How often do you stop to consider what an “amazing gift” life is – that right now you are drawing into your lungs breaths of life?
How do you think it would feel to receive a second chance at life? Craig received a second chance, but this is important to hear. It’s not like his life was totally messed up before the fall. He had a good job, a loving wife, two wonderful children, friends, and a church home. Yet now he realizes how much in life he was missing. In his first life he only saw the BIG things. But after the accident, he was given a second chance at life where he now sees EVERYTHING as a blessing from God.
After hearing his testimony I find myself wondering why it is so easy for me to take life and its many blessings for granted. And honestly, I don’t have an answer, other than I’m selfish and need to change.
Craig made it clear to us to “See the Little Things.” So what are some of those little things in your life you are overlooking that are a blessing from God? After Craig’s accident even Honey Nut Cheerios came alive to him.
What are they for you? Are they some vegetables and fruit you eat out of your garden? Are they the giggles of your children when they find something amusing? Are they run-down vehicles that get you to and fro? Are they the days you spend shopping by yourself, with friends, or with family? Are they the times you spend learning music? Are they the times you spend quietly in prayer and meditation? Are they the times when you look upon your children as they sleep? Are they the times when you have a good bowl of ice cream? Or, are they the days you spend a field hunting or fishing, even though you will most likely come back with nothing but stories?
Well, I took Gabe and Drew fishing about four or five summers ago at a neighbor’s pond. Drew at that time was getting very frustrated with fishing because his little brother was usually catching more fish. So before we walked up to the pond, I asked God, under my breath, to let Drew catch the biggest fish. Drew had his line in the water first. Before I could get Gabe’s line wet I had to unhook a couple of nice bluegills that Drew had caught. Finally, I get Gabe’s line in the water, and Drew yells to me that he’s got another fish on his line. So I begin coaching him to keep the tip of his pole up when I realize that this “ain’t” no bluegill. It was something BIG and at first I thought it was a largemouth bass (I had caught some 4-5 pounders out of there the previous summer.) The poor boy could barely hold onto his pole when the fish would decide to make a run and make the drag squeal. So I thought I’d better help him out or that pole is going to end up in the middle of the pond. Finally, I got a glimpse of the fish and knew it was no bass. When we landed it, Drew had caught a large catfish (that we didn’t even know were in the pond.) How large was it? Since we had no stringer or bucket, and I did not want to kill the fish, we took some old fashioned measurements. It was at least 3 of Drew’s shoe lengths and was quite heavy when I tried to pick it up. What does that mean? It was at least 30 inches long and its weight was 7 pounds or greater. Needless to say that boy of mine was quite proud the rest of the day, and so was his dad. And as we walked back home, I told the boys that God had answered my prayer.
Little things are just as important as the big things. Sometimes they are more valuable because the only way we get to see them is by slowing down and looking for them. A lot of times they bring us more joy because they’re happening every day.
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