Don't Belittle the Little

A 10 minute nap, cleaning off your desktop, holding hands, a cup of your favorite drink on the porch during sunrise/sunset, finding a nickel under the couch cushions...

There are some things we all know are the best things in the world: The Little Things



But when do we take the time to actually make these things happen, or even take a second to appreciate them when we can?
We rush to make our morning cuppa, juggling our schedules and our phone so we can start our day and get it over with. We don't appreciate our clean desktop when we are grumbling about how it's going to be a mess in a few hours anyway. And when do we actually remember to clean under the couch cushions? Be honest. No one ever looks under them. They'll never know.

We consider making habits out of these little moments, but we rarely take that big step of doing it once and beginning the habit. Maybe having a lifelong habit seems overwhelming and unrealistic. Maybe we're afraid of the day we'll break the habit.

Maybe it doesn't seem worth it to do it today. I mean, why today? Today is busy or boring or unimportant. Why not tomorrow? Actually, let's wait until next Monday. It only makes sense, scheduling-wise to start a new habit at the beginning of the week. And on and on we go...

The beginning of Zechariah 4:10 (NLT) says "Do not despise these small beginnings", referring to unbelief because of the humble beginnings of building the temple, compared with the greatness of the undertaking.

Did you know that we are temples?

1 Corinthians 3:16- "Do you not know that your are temples and the Spirit of God dwells within you?"

Do not look down on your humble beginnings of habits and your little moments of peace and quiet. It is important to make time to build your temple, keep it clean, and mend any broken pieces. Taking a daily step towards renewing your mind and heart takes time.

Life is a great undertaking in itself. There is, though, someone who is more than willing to help. 

Here's my challenge for you (and for myself):

1. Take the first fifteen minutes of your day (or whatever you can, even if it's on the way to work) and spend it with God.

Not just devotional time, not just your regular prayers, or just reading your Bible. He's your Father. He died for you just so you could be with Him.He's not going to bite. He doesn't think you're annoying Him or boring Him when you talk with Him. He loves you.

Ask Him to help you notice the little things in the day, and thank Him for them. Rest in Him. Breathe. Praise Him. Catch the day off-guard and make the first move before a broken coffee mug or a flat tire completely ruins your day.

2. Then, right before you go to sleep, give Him your last fifteen minutes.

Sing quiet hymns. Rest. And, once again, breathe. Even though the day is over, it will be on constant replay in your head. Whatever happened has happened. Give it to God. Remember the little things of the day and thank Him for them. And then give Him your tomorrow and sleep in peace.

I know it might mean waking up a bit earlier—*gasp* WHAT?—And it might mean not playing Call of Duty or Harvest Moon before bed... *look of complete innocence*
But, once it's a habit, give Him a bit more of your time.

To eternity, even those first and last fifteen minutes are "little things". Don't belittle those "little" moments with God. They make all the difference. Giving Him our "little" first and last fifteen will help us notice and appreciate the little things in our lives, within ourselves, and in our walk with God.

Let me know about your Little Moment of the day by commenting below! :)

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