Don't forget the little stuff!

You know, God also works in the little stuff as well. He doesn't only involved himself in the big things in our lives, such as purchasing a home. He also doesn't contain himself to solely tragic or sad times, neither does he come down to only chastise us and bring us back. He also cares about the little things in our lives, the "petty" details that we so easily overlook.

If you're a parent, you probably have a slight understanding of what this is like. I have a 15 month old daughter. She is probably the cutest kid to ever walk this planet, although I do have a tendency to be slightly biased. She has brought Corrie and I such joy and excitement since she came into this world. Especially now when she's at the stage where she's becoming more independent, and more like a "little person" than a baby. She loves to explore, she loves to check everything out, and she loves to play with her toys!

She's not alway perfect, however. Yes, she does have her frustrating moments, and, sure, she has tested my patience a time or two. However, as a proud father, I feel like there isn't anything that I wouldn't do for her.

The other day, we were doing our weekly grocery trip and Taryn was in the cart. We passed by a little pink stuffed toy someone had left on a shelf. Right away, Taryn noticed it and reached for it. It didn't have a price tag, but it was obviously brand new, just misplaced. Taryn hugged it and played with it the entire time. And in the end, we bought it when we left the store. Why? Well, partly because she'd chewed on it and I didn't think it was fair to put it back covered in baby drool! But also, it delighted her. It made her smile. Did she need another toy? No. Does this mean that we would buy her something every time she asks for it? No.

Do we need everything we desire? Do we have to have everything we enjoy?

Do you really need that bigger TV? Do you really need that nice couch set? Do you really need those new shoes? Probably not!

But often, it's in these little things that God also decides to be involved simply because he loves us. He allows us to obtain some items because he enjoys watching the excitement and pleasure that we as his children get out of them.

Now, I'm not trying to sound materialistic, nor am I giving an arguement to justify purchasing that new 42" plasma screen television. I'm simply saying that we are so often blessed by material items from God, and yet we never even thank him for them!

Sure, God wants us to be good stewards of our finances. He wants us to tithe, to help others when we can, and to provide for our families. But he also cares about the little things in our lives.

My wife and I bought a 1974 Mobile home. It was previously owned by a bachelor, and to be honest, held no appeal whatsoever to us when we bought it! The land was great, and the potential was there, so we bought it. However, it was a solid roof over our heads. A place to keep warm, and somewhere we could call home. By North American standards, we didn't have much. But by many other countries standards, we were living like kings.

The flooring was green lino, completely throughout the house from the kitchen to the bedrooms. Was it not doing its job? Did it not hold us above ground? Were there gaping holes? Nope! It worked just as a floor should. But it was green.

We didn't need to replace the flooring, but we wanted to. So we made our plans, and decided as soon as we could afford it, we'd start working on it. But you know what we didn't do? We didn't pray about it! Why not? Probably because we felt that flooring was not that important to God when he had poverty, natural disasters, terrorists and the like to worry about!

But that didn't stop him from working! God provided us with free laminate flooring, enough to complete the entire kitchen and bathroom! It's beautiful, and it makes the trailer finally feel like a home. Did he have to do it? Not at all. So why did he? I like to think that he simply enjoys watching the joy and excitement it gave us! He did it to simply see us smile, just as many father's do when they purchase a simple toy for their child.