I must confess that I am often envious of people who can do really big things that dramatically enhance someone else's life.
For example, a doctor approaches an apprehensive husband and shares the news that the surgery is successful and the man's wife should recover and lead a comfortable life once again. What an indescribable feeling it must be to do something like that for another human being.
Or, a couple has a child whose behavior has become very destructive. Unless something changes soon, tragedy seems to be the inevitable outcome. Yet, after a lot of medication and therapy by a psychiatrist, the couple is told that they can expect very normal behavior from their child in the days ahead.
Or what about a company that is in trouble? The whole operation is in a downward spiral and the jobs of thousands of people are in jeopardy. A well-known troubleshooter moves in with knowledge and experience that will literally save the economy of an entire community.
On and on I could go about people who make such a big difference in the lives of others and how awesome it must feel to just make things better. I am forced to confess some envy at this point. The danger of this way of thinking is the assumption that only the big things that we do for others is of real value.
It is true that most of us will never have the chance to do brain surgery or save the jobs of hundreds of people. Yet, we are all given opportunities every day to influence the lives of others.
We need to remember that in our daily course we might offer a little light to the path of those we encounter. The fact that our offering does not make the newspaper in no way diminishes its value. Kind words, sympathetic attention, watchfulness against sounding the sensitivities of people - these cost very little, but they are priceless.
From hour to hour, we are supported and blessed by small kindnesses. If it is true of actions coming our way, it is equally true in what we offer to other people. M.A. Kelty once wrote, "Small kindnesses, small courtesies, small considerations, habitually practiced in our social interactions, give a greater charm to the character than the display of great talents and accomplishments."
These small offerings we make to others become not only a source of satisfaction to us; but are a source of pleasure to God. The writer of Hebrews offers this: "But to do good, and to communicate, forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased" (8:16).
So, thank God for those who can make huge differences in the lives of people. Our health and well-being is often in their hands. Yet, in a world of big everything, let's not overlook the small difference we can make that may be totally unnoticed, or so we think.
