I heard a song recently that struck a chord with me. It wasn’t the tune which got me. In fact, when I first heard it, I was ready to dismiss the song as fluff, “gospel-lite”, not worthy of my attention. But the words convicted me deeply.
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Too often, I’m derailed by small things, things that are so trivial it’s embarrassing to admit I’m bothered by them, “stuff” as Francesca Battistelli calls them. In a world where people experience deep suffering, why do I allow these small matters to rob me of joy and peace?
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The Bible refers to small annoyances such as these as “little foxes that ruin vineyards.” Song of Sol 2:15
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Many small things have great impact.
• A poor widow donated two small coins and was honored for it.
• A young boy shared a lunch of two small fish and five loaves, and it was used to feed thousands.
• The mustard seed is the “smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants...” Mk. 4:31-32
• “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” Jms 3:5
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Small things can have large consequences -- negative ones or positive ones -- depending upon our response to them. We’re given a choice: to just be irritated OR to allow God to use these irritations to shape our character like a file smooths a rough surface.
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This is the Stuff - Francesca Battistelli
I lost my keys in the great unknown
And call me please 'Cuz I can't find my phone
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This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use
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So break me of impatience my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation
It's not the end of the world
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HteoxWzAT8
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12 comments:
I've been hearing that song as well, and in listening have thought about the little things that I let get under my skin. I'm afraid it happens too often!
This post really hit home for me... So often, I dismiss stuff because of something insignificant when God has something deeper to show me; and I don't want to miss anything that God wants to show me!!
http://ladyonaroof.blogspot.com/
I too immediately thought it was corny but loved the words and have quoted it often. Now I look forward to hearing it! Meanwhile, Ray has lost 2 full sets of keys in 1 week back during Dana's winter break when he was shoveling and juggling all the cars! Wonder what God is doing with him!
Linda
I'm a huge Francesca Battistelli fan! I've only heard this song once but loved it. And you're right--small things can be turned into big things by the Lord!
My hand is raised as a guilty one. Just today I let two customers upset me over little things. I repent. Thanks for this, Susan dear.
It was wonderful reading your post! Keep writing!
Hi Susan -
I sometimes allowed small "stuff" ruin my day. Now, I'm looking for the positives in situations and counting my blessings.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Giving thanks in all things is so hard, but it's what keeps those little foxes away.
Thanks for that reminder as I have three sickies this week and my Florence Nightingale suit is getting stained.
Waving and smiling,
Rhonda
I love Francesca, and "This is the Stuff" is one of my new favorite songs. You can tell she's a mother now! God many times grows our character in the small things! Thanks for the link :)
Oh, yes. All that insignificant "stuff" pushes me right into sin.
Like whining, complaining, being grumpy, snapping at people.
Lord, help me to let go of "stuff."
Jean
http://www.jeanmatthewhallwords.blogspot.com
A very timely message for me. I thank God for His disciplining. It proves He loves us. So the way we respond shows how much we love Him.
Small and big things - He uses them all to get us where we need to be. :)
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