Sunday, February 01, 2009

When a little means a lot

We have just emerged from the worst ice storm in our region's history. We were without power for 53 hours, then again for 8 1/2. There is a lot of cleanup to be done, but thankfully not a lot of structural damage (comparatively) and very little loss of life (though any is sad). I learned going through this that a little can mean a lot.

A little ice - less than an inch on our property, just over an inch in most of our town - wreaked havoc. An inch isn't that much. But it was a lot.

A little light made a big difference too. Just one candle after the sun went down made all the different in the world in a room. Sure, more candles were better - but the darkness couldn't extniguish even one candle.

A little electricity matters too! When our power came back on, and went off again, I started thinking of the stories many of you have shared about power that is sporadic, maybe every few days for a few hours. Yet what you can get done in those hours! In the 17 hours our power was on before going off the second time, I did dishes and laundry, took a much-needed hot shower, vacuumed, caught up on news and email, and in general felt "normal". From now on I will be praying for those of you in those situations, to be able to maximize your times with power!

Jesus gave us the principle a long time ago that a little means a lot. One boy with five loaves and two fish was all He needed to feed a multitude. What mattered wasn't the offering, but the offer. The willingness. The heart. And it's like that for you. Whatever you're doing that doesn't feel like enough, please remember that a little means a lot. It matters. All He wants is for you to put it in His hands and let Him multiply it.

No comments: