It’s the Little Things in Life

Have you ever noticed that terrible days can be made better by the most insignificant thing? A smile, a small conversation, a word, a sign, a unique treasure find, a reminder, or a touch. I could go on, but it’s the little things in life that really matter. Because when all can come crashing down on you and everything that can go wrong does, it doesn’t take the all the huge things to pick us back up. What I mean is that when life gets too much to handle, it’s the small things that remind us that someone notices us and that we matter to someone. That's all we need to carry on sometimes.

I have started on my list I have made in my previous post. I have already got 2 things checked off for the month: First I gave myself some scripture to memorize. I may have overshot my capabilities to memorize because I gave myself a lengthy verse to start with from one of the Psalms. I’m very hopeful for myself though because I have already seen the benefits of scripture memorization. I was at the doctor yesterday and the first hour was spent in the waiting room. I was in a little bit of pain (well, more than a little) and my mind was just sort of freaking out and running through a million things that could be wrong with me and I was panicking. Then this verse came to my mind. The verses I have memorized so far kept running through my head and I finally was able to calm down enough to get some testing done (I couldn’t test under the panic mode I was in). I was stressed and upset, but my mind was at ease for a bit knowing God was speaking to me through this verse:

But now, this is what the Lord says- he who created you, O Jacob, he who created you, O Israel, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the holy one of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba for your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life…”

It was just a flood of peace for the moment you know? As the nurse was in the room with me she starting making conversation with me, probably to help me stay calm. I didn’t catch her name, but I got to know her a little bit. She is about my age and she began talking about a missions trip she went on a while ago. She was just talking about the Lord’s faithfulness and how much we have, especially when it comes to healthcare. I was also stressed about having to leave work in such a rush like I did and just felt bad (it was tax deadline day and really busy which doesn’t help the office too much when I leave). But she was so sweet telling me that no matter what, it is so important that I take care of my health first and foremost. And then this is what made my day. I was lying down and she just looked at me and as a complete stranger said this, “…Because no matter what, at the end of the day I KNOW that you matter to a lot of people. You parents, your siblings, best friends, or even pets. You do matter to people”. I kid you not I just started crying. It’s not that I don’t know this to be true and I know I am loved, but the fact that a total stranger said this to me with such genuineness and ‘matter of fact-ly’ it was all that I needed to pick my day back up and be OK. I had a few cry sessions throughout the rest of the day when I kept thinking about what she said to be. She will never know how much I needed that at this point in my life. God was using her to tell me I matter. Or I would like to think this was him winking at me ;).

So another story. I am taking a Christian Theology course at a nearby church with about 50 people in it. From week to week I get to sit by new people and get their story on why they wanted to take the class because it’s free and taught by a seminary professor. The man I sat next to this past week was about 70 years old and was so full of joy. I didn’t hardly talk to him, he just began to tell me a little bit of his story. What I walked away with from his story though was his constant understanding of the places God has been intentional with placing people, places, and events in this man’s life, no matter what happened. So it got me thinking about the people, places, and events God has been intentional with putting in my life. Again, such an insignificant and small conversation I had that day, but changed my prayers around a bit because of it. Perspective is good.

So in short it’s like this: God wants us to recognize he sees us even amidst the enormous life happenings or circumstances. Nothing is too high or big for God to see over or around. He is the God who sees us, and loves to send that wink every once in a while to make sure we know he is present.

Life By A List.

I lack discipline. It’s quite bad really. As a recent college graduate I guess that is probably a ‘normal’ thing since we become thrusted into the real world with laid out jobs and new schedules that don’t look very different from day to day. We are used to having a lot of more freedom than we do now post graduation, because now we can’t just skip work like we did class to sleep in or even stay up too late because we have to be up so early now. Now we have real obligations that will cost us our career if we don’t fulfill them.

If you are like me, well then the minute you get off from your job you want to go home and relax and not think about work until the next morning. Outside of work I don’t want any obligations to take up my life. This is in LARGE part due to the fact that I am an ENFP, with a STRONG emphasis on the P (Myers Briggs test). The J/P (judgment vs. perceiving) category explains how we typically relate to the outside world. As a P, I like to “keep decisions open” as the explanation would say, and J’s like to “have matters settled”, i.e. most everything is concrete, black and white, let’s make a game plan sort of person. For me, I always am the one to “keep decisions open” because should circumstances change, well then nothing is unexpected or hard to restructure. I can thrive in chaos and have a million things going on at once and not get stressed out. Yet never become fully committed to things. “Institutions” would be a word that scares us P’s because we love the idea of freedom and not being felt like we are boxed in to anything. The higher score of a P one is, the worse this becomes. You don’t want to know my score.

So now when it comes to the ‘adult’ life, it becomes easy for anyone to feel trapped or like life is just a list of obligations to pay the bills. Especially for us in the P group, hence why I make sure I don’t plan anything on my nights and weekends. I plan to relax is the plan. I hate making plans hours before most of the time. “Let’s just wing it!” is my slogan. But then I realized the other day that I don’t do anything for myself. I mean, I try to, but I can never stay committed to it because I want my freedom. But freedom lies in doing the things we love and what we are passionate about. I have a huge list of things I would like to pick back up on or start. It’s funny because as an NF trait of Myers Briggs, we HATE lists. But I am determined to learn to like them, or see the goodness in attempting to have them. Now, usually this kind of list I have would be one people make on New Year’s Eve and then see how long they can keep that commitment (which is almost always shorter than longer). So here is what I propose for myself when it comes to keeping my commitments: accountability. I sort of have it in one area with my book deal. I made a deal with my roommate that she has to help me stay on track with my book by working on it at least 2 nights a week. Ideally I would love to work on it every day in my spare time, but I can’t overwhelm myself. I want to set plans I can learn to be committed to finally.

My accountability for this comes in the form of writing it down in a place where other people can see. So, bring it up in conversation when I see you. Help me keep up with these things and hopefully I will have quite some interesting stories to tell you as I embark on trying to make a list and keep it (eeek!). I have never been successful at keeping a list, ever, so give me some grace, but expect, well, awesomeness.

Hey you should try it too. That way I can take the journey with someone else. Here is my list so far:

1. Because I have a terrible memory (seriously), I plan to memorize a lengthy passage of scripture or something inspiring each week to help. My doctor says this will greatly help.

2. Write/work on my book a minimum of 2 nights each week.

3. Find something I have in common with a complete stranger twice a month. This is really in order to meet more people and build a bigger community. I have met the coolest and most unique people lately and I want that to become a regular habit.

4. Save a minimum of $100 a month so that I can make a trip to somewhere new at least once a year. This world is way too beautiful to not explore for the rest of my life. I am quite obsessed with travel.

5. Grab coffee or plan a phone date with someone I haven’t talked to in a while. I love catching up with friends and seeing people from college. Besides, I always walk away encouraged from hearing other people’s stories =)

OK so there you have it. These may seem really little and minute to you, but remember who you are dealing with here. I am so forgetful, busy, and too A.D.D. to think about making a list let alone fulfilling it. Since this list is compiled of everything I enjoy and it will benefit me (spiritually, physically, and emotionally) then I might actually have a shot at succeeding. And all of this is actually achievable. So now I have no excuse when I feel like life is only about commitments or obligations. Sometimes it is, but I think we will find that when we make sure we are doing things that are bettering ourselves, we live better as well. We are more likely to live for God’s glory and live to that “life abundant” that Christ lived and died for.