Grace Notes
“Do small things with great love”
There is a little wooden message I have in my hutch that reminds me to see every little interaction with a person as an opportunity to communicate that they are loved.
If you’ve ever taken piano lessons, you may have come across grace notes. They are little flourishes which give beauty, interest, and meaning to a musical piece. They are decorative and add so much to a performance.
As we come into this season of holy days, many of us will be putting up decorations. Lights on our homes. A tree in the living room. Christmas mugs, towels, and placemats in the kitchen. A wreath on the door. Elves on our shelves. These things add sparkle, fun and happiness to life.
I’d like to suggest that we consider the little things of life and how important they are. In Matthew 25:31-46 we find the parable of the sheep and the goats. In this story, Jesus describes judgement day and commends his people for the things they did. He goes so far as to say that when they did it for someone who was in need, it was as if it were done for Him!
So, what were these great things which Jesus’ followers were commended for doing?
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me,
I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Which of these things take seminary training? Or a special calling? Or a college degree? Or lots of money? Or a detailed ministry plan? Or a board of directors?
None of them.
These are the small things we can do with great love to add sparkle, happiness, and fun to life! These are the things which can decorate our lives adding beauty, interest, and meaning.
How do we go about adding these bright spots to our lives and the lives of those around us?
Pray for open doors - God has people for all of us to impact. It is wise for us to begin with the Great Orchestrator. Pray for eyes to see the opportunities around you. Pray for ears to hear His promptings. Pray for ears to listen when people are talking: is there an underlying need which they are too afraid to mention?
Acknowledge the ways in which you are already being used by God. We can ‘do what we do’ without realizing that it is prompted by Him and blessing people in significant ways. When we recognize how He is using our lives, we are able to appropriately thank God and point others to Him.
Be bold! I cringe when I think of all the times the Holy Spirit prompted me to say or do a kindness and my thought was - “They don’t want to hear that.” I’m learning that people do want to hear that. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay...” (2 Cor. 4:7) When we know what we have to give, how can we NOT share it?
Block prejudice. It is so easy to think we know it all. We know who needs what and whether they deserve our help. We would do well to not judge the situation without having walked in their shoes. Be humble, generous, and lead with love. We can’t go wrong there.
Be prepared. Have the mindset of a helper. Go about your day ready and willing to give help where you see a need and have the ability to meet it.
"I have found that it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love," This is a quote from the movie An Unexpected Journey. Every time I hear it, hope soars in my heart because I am ordinary folk. I can do small everyday deeds with kindness and love. I can keep the darkness at bay.
Join me, this Christmas (and all year long) to keep the darkness at bay with the light and love of Jesus. Let’s give the water, the food, the clothing. Let’s invite a stranger. When you know someone is sick or in prison, don’t let them feel alone. Be there with encouragement, a hug, and prayer.
We can be grace notes.
