Small Beginnings

At four years old I was in the hospital with a tonsillectomy when an older cousin sent me a card in the shape of a toy locomotive. The first day she sent the engine, and for three more days she sent a different car, to make up a whole train. For some reason I clung to the cards and they went home with me. Even as a four year old I experienced a caring heart from an unexpected source.

Paul wrote ,”You show that you are a letter from Christ. . . written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” (II Corinthians 3:3) My cousin never knew how much comfort I took from receiving that series of little cards. When I told her years later she laughed and said that she had forgotten sending them. Nevertheless her gift conveyed joy to me when I needed it, and it had a lasting effect.

Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”(Matthew 5:16) I didn’t learn to praise God for gifts such as the cards for several years, but I did receive a loving spirit from my cousin’s gesture enough to remember it these many years.

Zechariah wrote, “Do not despise the day of small beginnings. . .” (Zechariah 4:10) when a feeble remnant of Israel had returned to rebuild their temple. The Spirit of God does achieve huge changes like the Exodus, and even Creation itself; but He also moves in the weak and small to produce great things for His people. Isaac came as an infant into Sarah and Abraham’s lives and established a dynasty that is recognized thousands of years later. A single woman’s conversation with Jesus at a well resulted in the conversion of a Samaritan village. (John 4:39).

“You are the light of the world” said Jesus to his followers (Matthew 5:14). However small we may feel, however dim our “light”, it has been given to us to shine and to be life-changing in a world of darkness. Often we look elsewhere to find light, but Jesus says “You are the light”, if you are his. Jesus shares with us his actual relationship with God as light in the world. Even if it’s only a flicker in your mind, “Do not despise the day of small beginnings.!”

Love in Him,

Prue