When my dad was nearing the end of his life he began searching his heart to see if there was anything left undone - some unconfessed sin, a misdeed, anything at all he needed to make right before he faced God. He constantly prayed that the Holy Spirit would bring to his remembrance anything he needed to make right with his fellowman. It was during this time that he came across a rusty old garden tiller at the edge of his garden. It belonged to a farmer down the road who had sold it to Dad, but, when it didn't work, the farmer returned his money to him and told Dad just to bring it back any time.
"I thought I took this back years ago," he told my mother as he pulled the tiller out of the mass of weeds.
"Well, I know you meant to do so," Mom replied. "It never did work. Just haul it to the dump and forget it."
"It doesn't belong to me," Dad responded and started cleaning the tiller up, breaking it free from the years of corrosion and debris. Finally, he loaded it on to his pickup truck and drove to the farmer's house. The man was surprised to say the least when Dad showed up with the forgotten tiller after so many years. When Dad apologized and offered to pay him for it, the man responded with tears in his eyes, "Why, that thing never was any good! I am the one who tried to cheat you. You are an honest man."
When talking with him about the incident a few days later I remarked. "Dad, that was such a small thing! Surely you don't think God required you to take that old tiller back to him?"
"I don't rightly know," Dad acknowledged. "But when you pray and things like this happen, it's best not to take chances on missing out on receiving or being a blessing." Then his beautiful blue eyes misted with unshed tears, "And besides, I want to hear Jesus say, 'Well done'."
Small things. As I have learned to walk with God through the years, He has taught me how one small act of obedience can lead to major blessings. The Bible tells us: "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones." (Luke 16:10 NLT).
It is the little things that can add spice to or spoil your life. Solomon said, "the little foxes spoil the vine."
Just little things. Just insignificant matters. But, it is when we are faithful in the small matters that God entrusts us with more. Be assured God will not use you to change the world until you have been faithful in the small things in your own house, on your own street, in your own town. Listen to the Holy Spirit within you. Be obedient to his gentle nudgings. God wants to know that he can count on you to obey him in seemingly insignificant matters simply because he brings it to your attention. It may seem like a "small thing" to you, but truth is, nothing is "small stuff" to him.
"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies." Mother Teresa
Linda Van Fleet is a freelance inspirational writer specializing in articles and features on Christian lifestyle topics, angels, Internet and social issues. Linda has 2 children and three grandchildren. Visit http://ibelieveinangels.com for great stories of faith, inspiration and angels.
© 2005 Linda Van Fleet All rights reserved.
Munro's Safety Clothing Adds Two New Wrangler® Jeans To Their Line of Fire Resistant Clothing
Munro's Safety Apparel, one of the nation's leading providers of safety clothing for the workplace, is very excited to announce the addition of two new products to their line of clothing. Munro's has added Wrangler® FR Cowboy Cut® Original Fit Jeans and Wrangler® FR Cowboy Cut® Relaxed Fit Jeans so that people on the job who prefer the fit and comfort of Wrangler® jeans can enjoy the exact same Wrangler® fit and style that they prefer with the added safety and benefit of flame resistance.
Belly Dance Maternity Clothes Boutique to Offer Brand Exclusives
Belly Dance Maternity clothing will be expanding its designer boutique collection to include maternity designers such as Olian, Maternal America, Japanese Weekend and ChiaraKruza.
Great Top Picks For Nursing Clothes And Maternity Clothes
Many first time moms often think that once they have their baby they can just slip back into their pre-pregnancy wardrobe after a week or two Not so
Selecting Your Plus Size Maternity Work Clothes Wardrobe
Around the three or four month mark of your pregnancy you will want to buy some maternity clothes that are appropriate for wearing to work. Many women now work almost up until their baby is born and they want to look professional at work. When your clothes start to feel a little tight you should start thinking about purchasing maternity clothes.
Plus Size Maternity Clothing: Better Selection On Internet
Pregnant women range in size from petite to extra large. A lot of women require plus size clothes as well as plus size maternity clothes. These can be difficult to find compared to maternity clothing for normal size women. Also, these special size clothes can be expensive. However, it is possible to purchase maternity clothes that are reasonably priced.
Plus Size Maternity Jeans - What You Should Know
Pregnant moms who become plus sized, love maternity jeans, as they do not want to miss out on the comfort of denim, while their abdomen is expanding for the developing baby. You will find that till about the fourth month or the second trimester, regular plus size jeans can be worn.
Fashionable Designer Lingerie and Branded Lingerie
Beauty of a woman is a matchless attribute; with nothing to surpass it. So long a time there have been the existence of women in this world, there have been lingerie's as well. This fashion serving luxury undergarment expresses her beauty loving feminine personality, apart from the basic need of supporting her physique. Though the word 'lingerie' normally describes both male and female undergarments, the term is commonly used to refer woman's intimate wear. Lingerie is a broad term and includes garments like bras, panties, stockings, thongs, garters, peignoirs, sheer night gowns, and exotic night wears
Plus Size Maternity Clothes Now Easier To Find
It used to be a challenge to be a pregnant plus-size woman. Fortunately both local stores and online shops now stock plus size maternity clothes. If you look carefully you also should be able to find good sales on maternity clothes that will help you maintain a budget. Keep in mind that, after all, these are only temporary clothes.
Your Plus Size Lingerie Clothing Sytle
You are feeling full of anticipation and naughty. You are waiting for your husband to come home. You dab on the most provocative perfume you own, which is your husbands favorite. You are wearing a teddy with a leopard print. While checking yourself in the mirror you look at your choice of your accessories and smile to yourself. You feel so vamped up.
Plus Size Lingerie: Stylish & Sexy Lingerie
Back in the day, plus-size women had little hopes in terms of finding sexy plus-size lingerie. Most of the material was uncomfortable and the varieties available were less than perfect. Finding seductive lingerie for a plus-size woman became an unfeasible undertaking.