“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ~
Lent might be perceived as making big changes in our lives; however, we make those big changes in small ways. We cannot merely snap our fingers and make everything right in our world. We have to start with the basics and work our way up. That takes more than one Lenten season. That takes the season of our entire life.
Because things take time, we often find ourselves bailing on our Lenten resolutions. We find them too difficult to initiate or continue. We become disenchanted with the fact that we are not changing fast enough.
That is because we are flash bang kind of people. The bigger the flash and the louder the bang impresses us and gains our attention. We are not into small. Yet it is the small acts that build upon themselves to cause huge change in our lives.
Some dismiss Lent because they are afraid of initiating big change or are unsure of how to go about it. Others dismiss Lent because they think the things that they do are insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Nothing that we do is insignificant. The smallest word, the smallest act of kindness, can be quite huge to the one who has nothing. When someone spends each day of his or her life thinking that no one cares, to hear a kind word or receive a small token of appreciation means everything.
Do not allow Lent to overwhelm you and do not think that what you do is too small to make a difference. Continue the season wholeheartedly and allow God to use your sacrifices and acts of kindness to bless others.
FAITH ACTION: Whether it be big or small, make sure you touch someone’s life today with a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or some other act of caring.