The Little Things are Sometimes the Big Things

Lately I’ve learned, once again, that the little things are sometimes the big things.

I’m jumping into the last week of Christmas prep with all the moms out there trying to find that balance between scrambling around working to be “magic-makers” at Christmas, and ALSO working to be still enough to know where to reach out and lift and cherish.

We are seeking ways to become like the One we celebrate. That babe born in that manger in the most humble circumstances.

Sometimes we feel like the service we do at Christmastime has to be so grand and take up so much time. But I have realized more than ever this Christmas season that the little things can really be the big things.

I had three experiences lately that made me realize those little things mean something.

We need each other.

(Art by Caitlin Connolly, of course)

The Trader Joes “Little Thing”

I was at Trader Joes trying to finish up the scramble of a day.

I was talking to my friend on the phone, AirPods in my ears getting an update on her family, multi-tasking as I tried to wrangle all the ingredients I needed for my salad recipe. When I got to the check-out, for some reason this talk from conference years ago had popped into my heart and I remembered the power and beauty that can come when you are present.

So I told my friend I’d call her back and stood there talking to the lady ringing me up and the guy bagging up my vegetables. The guy bagging my things looked at me as we were wrapping up and thanked me for putting away my phone. He said there were so many people coming through that line every day so distracted, and told me how much it meant to him that I stopped and acknowledged him and what he was doing to help me.

I wonder if Michelle Craig, the one giving that talk about “Eyes to See” years ago could know that what she said about being present would still be weaving my way into the heart of a lady checking out at Trader Joes years ago? I wonder if my new friend bagging my stuff knew how much it meant to me that he acknowledged my efforts to be present and let me know they made a difference?

Yes, the little things are sometimes the big things.

The Across-the-Isle-at-Church “Little Thing”

One day at church a few weeks ago I was heading into Relief Society and saw a lady I have wanted to get to know better. (I have a goal to get to know every woman in our church congregation…the progress is slow but man, there are so many people to learn from at church!) The lesson was starting and there were no spots sitting together but I sat across the isle and reached out to her to wave and say hi.

That was it. A very little thing.

After church she texted and told me I couldn’t know how much that one little thing meant to her. I haven’t pried into exactly why yet, but have had the chance to get to know her a little better since then and she is a pretty awesome lady. It meant so much to me that she would take the time to reach out to me and let me know my little action made a difference to her.

It made me realize that even a little thing like a wave and a smile can really make a difference to the waver as well as the one being waved at.

Brainfood Deliveries

Each month I have a chance to pack and make deliveries for BrainFood, one of our charities we raise money for at the Turkey Trot each year. Love them!

The majority of the time as I lug in these big boxes full of food into the schools on my route, the ladies in the front office are busy doing their own thing. But every once in a while someone looks up and makes a special effort to smile and welcome me in. It’s amazing what that small act of kindness does to brighten my day. A simple welcoming response is just plain powerful. Makes me inspired to be a better “welcomer” myself.

Yes, the little things are sometimes the big things.

Just a little reminder as we scurry about getting ready for Christmas. Our actions don’t have to be grand to make a difference.

Sending out so much love to wherever this finds you, dear reader!

XOXO