How can you make a difference? We find ourselves pondering this question as our world faces many challenges. I may not be able to completely abolish racism, poverty, or hatred; yet, I can be an instrument of peace and love. The little things we do each day that we find redundant, or even annoying done with great love truly matters. We’ve become so complicated in our thinking and way of living. Before internet, cars, cell phones, and modern conveniences, community was how we survived. Midwives, shared meals, local gatherings to help a neighbor in need were common experiences.

When I looked for a picture for this post to convey “little things with great love”, I found a picture of my husband engaged in the morning dove’s call. I have the sweetest memory of him taking the time to show my dad and Adelaide how to do this with their two hands. They worked together until my dad finally learned how to do the call! His face was priceless–surprised and overjoyed. We would often randomly hear him from our side of the house practicing his new skill.

1 John 3:11-21New International Version

More on Love and Hatred

¹¹ For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 

¹⁶ This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? ¹⁸ Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

¹⁹ This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: ²⁰ If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹ Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.

Imagine your heart at rest. One version of this passage says “reassure our hearts”. To be reassured and at rest we claim that God is greater than our hearts, and He will show us how to love. As you awake each morning, ask God to give you eyes to see, hands and feet to go and to do little things with great love, and to recognize that what you are doing is holy–not an irritant, a bother, or a burden. And, it is enough. Knowing that God is greater than my heart I can rest in the knowledge that I don’t control outcomes. Remember you did not cause it, you can’t control it, and you can’t change people. You are not God. Love is found in seeking to understand, commitment, and setting healthy boundaries that help you and others move more towards the One who can heal a broken heart.

Free yourself to pour out love, and allow God to be who He is–The great I AM! Nothing is too hard for Him. (Jeremiah 32:17)

Your Practice: Today, think of every action you engage in and how it serves, supports, or guides. See it as holy and God’s way of using you to love others. If an action did not benefit humanity, explore why, talk to someone you love, and, most importantly, seek God’s love. Not all of our actions are pure of heart, and God can shed light on our journey towards love. He is gracious and kind.

VERSE 1:
In the garden of our Savior, no flower grows unseen;
His kindness rains like water on every humble seed.
No simple act of mercy escapes His watchful eye —
for there is One who loves me: His hand is over mine.

VERSE 2:
In the kingdom of the heavens, no suff’ring is unknown;
each tear that falls is holy, each breaking heart a throne.
There is a song of beauty on ev’ry weeping eye —
for there is One who loves me: His heart, it breaks with mine.

BRIDGE:
Oh, the deeds forgotten; oh, the works unseen,
every drink of water flowing graciously,
every tender mercy, You’re making glorious.
This You have asked us: do little things with great love,
little things with great love.

VERSE 3:
At the table of our Savior, no mouth will go unfed;
His children in the shadows stream in and raise their heads.
Oh give us ears to hear them and give us eyes that see —
for there is One who loves them: I am His hands and feet.