So my family was gone for a little over 2 weeks. Sabrina took all four of our children to Oklahoma to visit family and that left me here in Cheyenne by myself. She has done this the past couple years but it still takes some getting used to. (Last year she was gone for 5 weeks. That can’t happen again. It was brutal.)
I was mowing the lawn Saturday and eventually got to the point where I needed to move our trampoline that was now standing square in my way. All the sudden I was overcome with a longing for my kids. I missed them immensely in that moment. It was weird. Then again, all of a sudden I realized why. You see, every time I mow the lawn there is something my kids MAKE SURE I do. If they are home, they make it VERY clear NOT to move the trampoline until they are on it. I will even stop mowing, find the kids, then move the tramp where it is out of my way. They love it. They always want to be on the tramp when I move it. Jonah always says “Come get me when you’re ready to move the tramp.” I stopped mowing, sat down and text my wife. I said “Tell the kids I miss them. I wish they were here. I’m getting ready to move the trampoline.”
It was then that God spoke to me. He spoke about the little things. Right then, I didn’t miss their birth moment. I didn’t miss their birthday parties. I didn’t miss Kindergarten graduation, school plays or sports events. I REALLY missed the little things. I missed them being on the tramp when I moved it. I went into Jaydah’s room and missed her pretty little smile. I went into Jonah’s room and missed him jumping on my back. I went into Mariah and Makalah’s room and missed the little giggles of my princess and care bear. I missed saying goodnight to Mariah and when I say “See you tomorrow.” She says “See you AFTER tomorrow.” And laughs at herself. It was the little things.
I think God misses the little things in me sometimes. He doesn’t necessarily miss my conversion moment. A moving worship experience. A trip to the altar. He misses the time alone with Him. The moments of praise I used to give Him. The thoughts of my heart going to Him instead of something else. The spontaneous things that are “little” but mean the world. I want God to ALWAYS have the little things in me and NOT just the big ones. It’s the LITTLE things that become a BIG deal when they are gone.
Giving the little things,
Jeff
