chronic illness – Page 32 – Jesus is for the Wounded

This article is from Dave McCarrell and the February 13th issue of PGM News, a non-copyrighted newsletter of Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago, Illinois

“Little by little, some Christians are growing a “Little” careless. On Sunday mornings they sleep a Little late, and come to church a Little tardy. Some doze a Little, listen a Little to the sermon and give a Little in the offering. After dismissal, they argue a Little, gossip a Little, and go home and forget what Little they heard, and act a Little as if they care Little for the greatest, grandest, holiest, and most precious privilege on the earth — that of worshiping and serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

I may have exaggerated a Little, but very Little, and in some things I may have omitted a Little, “O ye of Little faith” (Matt. 6:30, 8:26, and 16:8). ” . . . thou has been faithful in a very Little . . .” (Luke 19:17). “Yet a Little while and that shall come, will come and will not tarry” (Heb. 10:37).

Little-by-Little, we can improve a Little by putting forth a Little effort in seeking to overcome a Little evil. Little evils do not remain Little. So a Little thought given to Little things may produce a Little improvement in a Little time.”

After reading the above by an unnamed author, I was challenged by the thougt of the many Little things I let distract me from the important things God has for me. I am sure all of you, if honest would say the same thing. Then I was challenged by the ultimate question that our Lord asked Peter, and the question we as believers all must respond to: “Peter do you love me more than these things?” (See John 21)15-17)

Instead of these things, in our case, I believe God is asking us: “Do you love Me more than the Little things you have brought into your life? Examples could be sports, TV, movies, material possessions, homes, cars, questionable friends, etc. What a great opportunity to examin what Little things are keeping us from experiencing God’s best for us.

“JUST JULIE’S” ADDENDUM: Thank you Lord for this reminder that You are not only Lord over all things big and little, You care about all of the things in our lives, big and little. I can trust You with every detail of my life. Yup, every one. I lay my cares at the foot of Your throne of grace for your tender care. You know what they are and in that fact, I rest this day. Love, Julie

Sometimes it’s the little things that mean a lot.

Take my 20 ounce serving bowls from Jepson Pottery, for example. I am happy when I can make a big salad or side dish and serve it in these substantial, artsy fired vessels. The deep blue glaze compliments most food hues and the pottery keeps the dish a little warmer or cooler until the feasting is over. A simple pleasure. Sweet.

Having a sharp knife in the kitchen can make the difference between injury and expertly prepared veggies, especially when those rooted puppies are parsnips! These are tough to cut yet soften nicely when browned in avocado oil and cooked down to almost mush with lots of salt. A simple pleasure on a special diet. Savory too.

And nothing wakes me up better than a gentle rub down with a stiff body brush in the shower. Many people with chronic illness write about dry brushing and all types of lymphatic and therapeutic massage using this or that technique or device. Just give me my natural bristle, wooden brush, will ya please? No coffee needed to get me going for the day. A good natural bristled brush on a long wooden handle is a simple tool to wake up the largest organ in the body. Nice.

When estranged from my home due to mold restoration work, I find that the little things mean a lot. The hotel room is unfamiliar, cold, and dark on these wintry days. So I had to decide what items I should bring to my “home away from home” when the whole darn house wouldn’t fit into the 600 square feet where I must lie my head at night. Little by little, I’ve narrowed it down to the items that make me smile in addition to my hubby, Bible, devotional book Jesus Calling, treatment journal, and stash of plantain chips. Yes, I think that’s it: 2 bowls, 2 knives, and a back brush.

Wonder if I could sneak in a German Shepherd too? :J