I have a tiny screw in my glasses that keeps working itself loose. I’m not sure why, because I’ve never had to tighten the one on the other side. But every month or so, I have to grab a kitchen knife with a sharp edge and secure the screw.
Except when I forget.
If the screw comes loose enough to fall out, it can easily be lost. Without that screw, the lens oops out and I can’t see. Without that lens, my life screeches to a halt. I can’t drive, I can’t work, and I can’t get to the optician by myself to get a new screw. This minuscule object, less than an inch in size, has the power to bring my entire life to a standstill.
As I tightened the screw, I thought about other “little things” that drive me nuts and can ruin my whole day if I let them. Here is my (not comprehensive, by any means) list:
1. People who are late.
2. Being late myself.
3. Bad grammar.
4. Arrogance in any form.
5 Being taken for for granted.
6. Not being taken seriously.
7. My own awkwardness. (I am the original klutz, and it’s embarrassing.)
8. Missing the train (see #2)
9. Loud, flirty people.
10. Uncontrollable tears. (When I realise I am going to cry and I can’t stop it from happening at a completely inappropriate time.)
These “little things” (and many others) can set my teeth on edge and put me in a bad mood. Like the tiny screw, they have the power to ruin my day if I let them.
The thing I noticed about little things, is that they can cloud my vision. When that screw falls out and rolls away, and my lens won’t stay in my glasses, I can barely see. Every other action, thought and response my life is affected by it. Like living in a fog, I am paralysed, squinting to see what is in front of me.
Attitude does that. The “little things” are all about attitude.
If I am focused on the irritating events or people in my day, I miss everything else. I don’t see the sunrise because I’m fussing about missing the train. I miss a friendly smile because I am listening to the grammar. I don’t care about any other small miracle God has put in my pathway. I miss it all.
Even worse, I become someone I don’t want to be. If I allow “little things’ to cloud my vision, I become sarcastic, grumpy and negative. Lovely.
So today, Lord, (and all the days that follow) I give You permission to poke me when I slide into letting “little things” control my day, my attitudes and who I am.
Remind me that You call me to humility, patience and love. Oh yes, and thankfulness.
“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thess. 5:18
These are the little things that matter.