One of the songs I
wrote for my better
half, four years ago
this past May,
is called, “It’s The
Little Things”. The
words are as
follows:
It's the little
things
We remember from the
past.
It's the little
things
That make our love
last.
It's the little
things
That put a smile on
our face.
It's the little
things,
Those things we
can't replace.
It's the little
things
That put a tear in
our eye.
It's the little
things
We remember bye and
bye.
It's the little
things
That warm our dear
ole heart.
It's the little
things
We remember when
apart.
Memories are usually
made without
thought. Normally,
we do not
consciously go
through life trying
to
make
memories, as you
would manufacture
parts in a factory.
“Okay, I made 214
memories today.
What’s my total for
the week so far?”
But what could it
hurt, if we made
ourselves more
aware, that
what we do now is a
memory tomorrow.
That could
definitely help.
I think memories are
basically three
types; small
(seemingly
unimportant, just
the little things),
medium (worth
remembering), and
large (major
happening). Your
wedding day could
certainly classify
as “large”, and
perhaps the doctor
visit could be
“medium”, as long as
it was uneventful.
You would be
surprised at what we
could call “small”
or seemingly
unimportant … just
little things.
Very often in life,
it is the little
things that mean so
much. More often
than not, when I
reminisce, it’s the
little things I
think about, not
necessarily the big
events. I suspect
you are the same. In
the present, we make
our memories for the
future when we think
about the past. We
should live every
minute with that
thought in mind,
because we can
either make memories
that bring a tear of
joy to the eye or a
tear of sadness.
Further more, and
perhaps even more
important, we are
also making memories
for others who are
associated with us,
like our spouse, our
children, and
others.
When thinking back
to when I was a
child, it’s usually
the little things
that come to mind,
whether my thoughts
are on family or
school for example.
Strangely enough,
they always outweigh
the so-called
“important” events.
Thankfully, they are
happy memories that
bring a tear of joy
to the eye, so to
speak. I realize I
am fortunate,
because many may not
have pleasant
memories of the
little things in the
past.
When I think about
my children growing
up, little things
come to mind. My, my
they just grew up
too fast.
I recall the
wonderful years that
I have been blessed
to spend with my
dear wife, and
again, all those
moments of “the
little things” burst
forth. Again, I
sympathize with
others who may not
have this pleasure.
What kind of
memories are you
making for your
spouse? Can they sit
alone in the quiet
stillness of the
night and recall
with a smile little
things you have
experienced
together? Can they
be so touched by the
little things you
have done for them
or said to them,
that a tear of joy
comes to their eyes?
What have you done
to provide sweet
memories for the one
you love, the one
person who you
should be the
closest to on this
earth?
What about your
children? The
greatest gift you
can give them isn’t
a cell phone, or a
computer, or a car.
The greatest gift
you can give them is
yourself,
specifically your
time. How about an
honest compliment?
Maybe laughter would
be nice too.
Have you ever
thought about
others, such as your
parents or
grandparents? We
grow up and get on
the merry-go-round
of a fast-paced
world, and often
forget those that
love us without
condition. When was
the last time we
visited them? Was it
quality time? Little
things mean a lot to
them also.
An example of a
little thing in my
life that caused me
to not drive fast as
a teenager goes like
this; I hitched a
ride home from a
birthday party with
a friend of mine.
Neither of us was
old enough to drive,
so his older brother
picked us up and
took us home. I
don’t recall why,
but his older
brother talked about
driving sensibly,
and his driving
backed up what he
was saying. I never
forgot that, and
never got “stupid”
while driving as a
teenager.
Could it be that God
is taking note?
There is no question
that we are living
in a time when life
speeds by like a
bullet. That is all
the more reason to
slow down, and not
get caught up in it.
One of the biggest
detriments to our
lives is our work,
but which is more
important, our work,
or our family? Yes,
I hear you. “We must
work to eat. We work
to provide for them.
They should
appreciate what I do
for them.” That is
all true, but it
doesn’t change the
fact that you are
making memories now,
for yourself and
those you love, that
cannot be changed
later. “I’ll do it
tomorrow” is usually
too late, because
“tomorrow” seldom
comes.
Another major
detriment, which may
be the greatest, is
selfishness, or
self-centeredness.
We have become very
selfish in our
modern world. Read
the news, to
consider one source,
and you’ll see what
I mean. If this
isn’t the antithesis
of what Jesus showed
us by example, then
nothing is. This
attitude saturates
the television
screens in all our
homes. It is on open
display in the
department stores.
It thrives in the
work place. It
breeds in the heart.
It is not of God.
The little things
are important in our
personal lives. They
may not make the
front page to some,
but they bring a
smile and a tear to
those who are
thinking about all
those little things.
One recalls the
encouraging words of
a teacher. A young
lady remembers, as a
young girl when her
Dad would actually
get down in the
floor with her and
sip the make-believe
tea she made just
for him. A man
smiles thinking
about those times as
a lad, when Mom
would soothe the
hurt from his cuts
and bruises. A
husband still smells
the trees from a
walk in the park
with his best
friend, his wife. A
wife remembers so
well the comfort
from her best
friend, her husband,
as he comforted her
when she was down.
None of these are
significant to
anyone else, but to
the one thinking
about those little
things, they are a
priceless treasure.
As you are readily
aware, examples of
the little things we
remember are ad
infinitum. So how
much enjoyment are
we providing to
others when they
think about the
little things in
their past?
Grant Phillips
grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture
Commentary
http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
