We’re on holiday, so yesterday morning we went to a different church. Stephen, the minister, spoke about Jesus’ mustard seed parable: ‘Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.’
Stephen talked about small acts of kindness, courage and forgiveness having profound results. Small things become big things.
Yesterday afternoon we went to Trent Bridge to watch the cricket. It’s ‘The Hundred’ competition – Trent Rockets were playing London Spirit. In two exciting and close games, Spirit won the women’s game and the Rockets won the men’s game.
I know that understanding cricket is a big thing, but… Both games were decided by small incidents in them – the batter who scored successive sixes, the bowler who restricted the run rate, the catch taken or dropped. Small incidents led to big results.
Yesterday evening I had an email from Elspeth. A couple of years ago she’d asked if Men’s Shed would make an owl box. Jerry agreed to make it. Elspeth gave it to her daughter Marie as a Christmas present. Marie put the owl box in place…
This year owls nested in it. Yesterday Elspeth sent me the picture to prove it. A series of small things… Elspeth’s idea, Jerry’s kindness and skill, Marie’s action and patience, resulting in an owl with a family home.
This morning, reading Isaiah, amongst the Messianic prophecies about the Suffering Servant who is to come, are the words, ‘The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.’ A small but significant tongue and word.
Yesterday in church we sung:
God of the poor
Friend of the weak
Give us compassion we pray
Melt our cold hearts
Let tears fall like rain
Come, change our love
From a spark to a flame
A small spark of compassion becomes a flame. Small words and actions have significance, and the potential to bring big effects.
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