It's the little things...

"Who dares despise the day of small things...?" Zechariah 4.10

Wondering how to support my dad in hospital, whose Alzheimers has all but denied awareness of who he is or where he belongs, my brother had the brainwave of sending in brief video clips of family members doing stuff: chasing a dog, jumping on a trampoline, playing music. It appears to be working!

The late minister of Portree, John Ferguson, used to enjoy the quotation above. Zechariah was a prophet of Judah, who operated around the time the Jews had been released from slavery in Babylon and were rebuilding Jerusalem. His concern was to encourage his compatriots not to lose heart, despite local opposition and the enormity of their task.

Jesus once said: "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward." (Matthew 10.42) In our desperation to make a name for ourselves, in our obsession with dramatic gestures and celebrity, we miss the significance of the small things which often make the bigger difference.

In the introduction to a book on spiritual discipline, the author proclaimed: "The world does not need more beautiful people or high achievers, it needs deep thinkers who are faithful and kind. "How shall we exercise our gifts and opportunities today, in gestures of kindness which, though modest, are significant because they bless others? Not only that but I am sure they bring a smile to our heavenly Father as well!