Small Acts Of Kindness

8 Feb

“Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found.  I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay…small acts of kindness and love.”  ~ Gandalf in the move, The Hobbit

I love fireworks.  I admit that I am somewhat of a fireworks snob.  To me — since I have been spoiled years ago — there are no fireworks quite like fireworks at Disney.  All of the parks put on great fireworks and laser shows.  They make everything else pale in comparison.  To be honest, I don’t even go to fireworks displays around here.  The only thing better than Disney fireworks are New Year’s Eve fireworks at Disney.

Why is it that we tend to gravitate to huge displays in life?  Whether it be fireworks or jobs or favors or friendship, it seems as if we gravitate toward the lavish and elaborate.  The normal or smaller versions just don’t seem to do it for us.  We want big.  Advertisers have learned that a long time ago.  If a company wants something to sell, they change the packaging and make sure to add “25% more” on the bag.  People will snap the products up like hotcakes.

God’s not impressed with the huge or the lavish.  God’s impressed with the simple, and relatively small, gestures of love that people give to others.  We don’t have to do things on such a grand scale so as to have everyone else notice.  As a matter of fact, Jesus warned against that.  He said if we did things like that, we already had our reward.

We should not strive for the recognition and reward of the world.  We should concern ourselves solely with what would please the Lord.

FAITH ACTION:  Let not fear dissuade you from performing small and simple acts of kindness and love for others today.  The less recognition you receive, the better.