The Little Things and the Big Things

I picked up my lung CT scan results today. It was just a follow-up from the pneumonia I had. Nothing really to do with the cancer. In the grand scheme of things, this would be called a "little thing". The CT results were good. Some residual scarring but no nodules or masses suggestive of metastasis.

As I was walking out of the hospital, I whispered a prayer of thanks and began to think about the "little things" and the "big things" in our life.

I remember in the first grade, being taught about big things and little things. The teacher had a 2 sided weight scale. She would put a big item on one side of the scale and a small item on the other side. She would teach us that the "big thing" weighed more than the "little thing" and it would pull down that side of the scale. Then, we went out to the playground where she would have a big boy sit on one side of the see saw and a little girl (usually me) sit on the other side. As I was left hanging in the air, the teacher made her point. The "big things" weigh down the "little things".

Sometimes I get so focused on the "big things" in my life, the cancer, the treatments, the side effects, tests, etc, that I fail to see the "little things" that God has given me to enjoy.

The first ripe red tomato on our tomato plant. A phone call from Brent, a hug from Eric, talking to little Wyatt on the phone. The smell of baby Cooper on my shirt after he's gone. Friends to eat dinner with. Friends who bring you dinner when you are too sick to go out. Carl, changing the oil, fixing the faucet and all the other little repairs needed. A gentle rain to cool down a hot afternoon and moisten a dry, parched ground. The beautiful butterfly sitting atop the pink hibiscus flower. The sweet fragrance of jasmine as I sit and swing with my grandbabies on my lap. Just thinking of these "little things" makes me feel as though I'm suspended in air.

When I allow myself to think only of the "big thing" I feel weighted down.
But God tells us to give the "big things" to Him and He will take them. He wants us to take all of the "little things" He has given to us and enjoy them abundantly. He'll carry the heavy stuff.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30)

And today, I am happy to be suspended in air on the see saw. Because I know God is on the other side holding down the "big things" while I sit high and enjoy the all "little things" He has given to me.