People ask me all the time how I raised such good kids. It catches me off-guard when I hear the question, but then I started paying attention to all the little things I did that were profitable. I found it wasn't the big looming wisdom of the ages that guided my kids to do what was right, it was the little things that paved the way.
"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much," (Luke 16:10). I've heard my husband say this so many times, and it was good for me and my kids to hear even though sometimes we felt he was nagging. When you make your bed, and put your things back where they belong, when you call people back, even the ones you want to avoid (like your mother or father), when you wipe off the counters after cleaning the dishes, when you say please and thank you, when you hang up wet towels, these are the things that matter.
For those of us who weren't trained to notice the little things, this can be annoying. Even so. . . I wish I had taught my kids more intentionally with the end in mind -- the end being thoughtful, productive people. I would have paid more attention to passing along the importance of doing the little things. Like writing thank you notes, for instance, for gifts from grandparents, or even special occasions.
Do you write thank you notes? I'd like to know what you think about that. I thought only old people cared about thank you notes. But recently I've found it delightful to hear back from someone that I have blessed in some little way. I guess that means I'm "mature." Oh dear.
Well, the good news is this - "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master" ( Matthew 25:21). Those little faithful actions get credit in the eternal scheme of things. God notices, not to mention your co-workers and family. Hope you get my drift.
Somehow I love you, even though I don't know who you are.
Journey with me,
-L
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