Hi Reeva,
A powerful message that all of us need to take to heart.  Sometimes I forget 
to remember how important the small things are.  Thank you for reminding me. 
I am praying for you and Mari.

Love in Christ,

Virgie and Lady Hoshi
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Reeva Parry" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 12:33 PM
Subject: The Value Of Small


> The Value of Small
>
>
> Is it possible that we have misunderstood, or ignored, the value of small? 
> Jesus saw something in smallness that we may overlook.
>
> Consider these statements:
>
>   "'When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
>
>   "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for
>
>   one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me'." (Matthew 
> 25:39-40. NIV).
>
>   "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or 
> a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
> "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of 
> the least of these, you did not do for me.' "Then they will go away to 
> eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 
> 25:44-46).
>
> Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand 
> beside him. Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in 
> my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 
> For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest." (Luke 9:47-49).
>
> "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you 
> ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or 
> three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:19-20).
>
>
> Jesus saw the value of small.
>
> We tend to focus on big. Big cars. Big houses. Big churches. Big budgets. 
> Big signs. Big events. Big bank accounts. Big projects. Big attendance. 
> Big numbers. Big buildings. From the outside looking in, would it appear 
> that we believe that big equals better?
>
> Pay attention to the small stuff.
>
> Jesus did not seem to be implying that big is necessarily bad. He also
> encouraged us to have enough faith to do big things. He emphasized
>
> having a faith that will move mountains, faith to walk on water, and
> that the disciple's faith would enable them to do even greater things than 
> they had seen Him do.
>
> However, we must not forget that those big things begin with something 
> small:  faith the size of a mustard seed, taking one step outside of the 
> boat, serving one another, and washing feet. Jesus pointed to children as 
> our example of what "the kingdom is like." He spoke of being the least in 
> the kingdom. He reminds of the importance of simply offering someone a cup 
> of water.
>
> Perhaps we should consider our plans and reevaluate our approach to
> life and to ministry. We would do well not to allow ourselves to be so
> enamored by the big that we miss the value of the small. It may very
> well be that the greatest impact you will have this week in the life of 
> another human being will come from doing something small. One 
> conversation. A word of gratitude. A kind comment. A one-on-one 
> conversation. A moment of listening. A small group study. Two or three 
> gathered to pray. A single thoughtful act. A good application of the 
> Scripture. A phone call. A text message. An email. A gentle touch. A note 
> of encouragement. A small gift. An hour of your time.
>
> Just this week, pay attention to small. Let God turn it into something
> big ... but only if He wants it to be big.