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Little Things
July 27, 2007- Pastor Jim Sproul

Do you see little things in life as blessings or do you see them as aggravations? Do you see little things as needing attention or do you constantly overlook them? Are little things opportunities to you or are they time-wasters?

No matter how you view little things, make no mistake--life is full of them. As you read the Bible, you will encounter the English word “little” over 200 times. I am reminded of the Syrian military leader in II Kings 5 who was afflicted with leprosy. The prophet Elisha gave instructions that he should wash seven times in the River Jordan, and he would be healed. He was incensed and refused to do it.

And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. (II Kings 5:13-14)

It was a little thing that he could easily do, but he saw it an insult to have to wash in the Jordan River because it was probably muddy. It was also humbling because the prophet did not tell him to do some showy thing to be healed. However, he relented at his servants’ kind insistence, and he was miraculously healed.

Sometimes we are incensed at little things brought into our lives because we don’t have the time or the inclination to handle them and see their value. A friend of mine sent the following reminder (one of those undocumented e-mails we commonly share) about some little things that happened to people in New York City the day of the tragic assaults on the World Trade Center. I imagine these folk will tell the story for years to come how little things saved their lives that day.

As you might know, the head of a company survived 9/11 because his son started kindergarten.
Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.
One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off on time.
One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.
One of them missed his bus.
One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.
One's car wouldn't start.
One went back to answer the telephone.
One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.
One couldn't get a taxi.
The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone ...all the little things that annoy me, I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment.

Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, or you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated; God is at work watching over you.

May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things and may you remember their possible purpose.

Jim Sproul, B.A., B.D.
Senior Adults Pastor

About Pastors' Posts

The pastors of Tri-City Baptist Church have a wide variety of experience and education. This variety brings a richness to our ministry. Our pastors will post articles on topics near and dear to them. Every few days there will be a new article. Feel free to communicate with the author with any comments or questions. Part of Tri-City's mission is "to assist its members and other fundamental churches...in fulfilling the Great Commission." That is the purpose of this site. It is tied directly to our vision for our ministry. We trust it will be a blessing to you.

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Jim Sproul - Senior Adults Pastor
James Sproul received a B.A. in Bible from Pillsbury Baptist Bible College and a B.D. from San Francisco Baptist Theological Seminary. He had 31 years of experience as an assistant pastor before coming to Tri-City Baptist Church in 2003. He and his wife Kay Lynn have two daughters and seven grandchildren.

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