July 6, 2021 – Reflection on “Little Things”!
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7.
Recently I read Mom (Anna Daisy Siemens) poem, “Little Things!” What makes it so special is that on July 4th, I celebrated her 114th birthday. In 1980, a year after my Dad died, she hand-wrote a book of memories of my growing up, including poems she had written. I enjoyed this poem. Being more alert as I venture into the 9th decade of life, I became more aware of the wisdom of her writing. My eyes are opened wide to enjoy and give thanks for the ‘little things’ of life. My heart cherishes the wonder of how God treasures His creation of the ‘Little Things’.
Little Things
I yearned for great and mighty things, But only learned man can fall.
I stumbled at the mountainside, And never climbed my hill at all.
But here I learned of tiny creatures, The locust, hare, and lowly ant.
So weak and insignificant, Through cleverness, quite arrogant. (ADS)
My dreams of youth were lofty, and yet God had other plans for my life. I faltered many times, unable to become famous or widely known. I remember how often God taught me lessons of humility.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3. It isn’t about me, but how I can serve others and love them in His Name.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Philippians 4:7. God’s love cannot be bought. It cannot be earned. He will never love us more, or less. His love is so strong, He forgives us when we stumble or lose the way.
Once we have given our life to Jesus Christ, the following verses are our assurance. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23.
When the Children of Israel traveled through the wilderness, God fed them from Heaven. And He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3.
The Bread of Heaven was sent down for us. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35.
God sent His Son to be our Manna, our bread of Life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.
The Children of Israel gathered manna every morning to renew their supply. Even so, we replenish every day our supply of the Words of Life from the Bread of Heaven, Jesus.
Fear of not being good enough, that we will lose our life, and fearing the darkness is closing in on us. How can we escape that horrific feeling of fear?
This verse provides the answer. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because He first loved us. I John 4:18-19.
But what if we are weary from day after day, just trying to find our way? Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29.
Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:3-5.
The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made. All your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. Psalm 145:9-13.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands, I sing for joy. How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep! Psalm 92:1-5.
How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove your love for me.
The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude,
All that I am, and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee.
To God be the glory, To God be the glory, To God be the Glory
For the things He has done! (Andrae’ Crouch)
Continued, the “Little Things” Poem.
So, in my walk, bound to God’s earth, I saw butterflies have wings,
To fly in grace from flower to flower, I learned to joy in little things.
When treetops bent beneath white loads, I studied snowflakes God designed,
I watched pink apple blossoms drift, In scattered trails quite undefined.
My joy increased when violets bloomed, Each tiny bud unfolds in Spring
From seeds that are not great at all, My humbled heart began to sing.
Dewdrops glistening on the grass, The babe I hold, one note that rings.
A smile, kind words, a cup of water, God bless these Precious Little Things. (ADS)