God in the Little Things
(written in response to a friend’s phone call on a burdensome day)

How easy it is, Lord, for me to become
consumed with issues that impact
my little sphere of existence.
How easy to let the instability of today
fuel the fires of worry about tomorrow,
or next week,
or six months from now.

At these moments of crisis obsession, Lord,
You always seem to
bring another into my self-absorbed world,
another who, in gentle and firm ways,
breaks through my shell—
my shell constructed with planks of panic—
and asks:
“How are you, really?”
or “What’s the story behind the calm facade?”
or “How may I journey with you, friend?”
or “Do you know how much I cherish our relationship?”

Small things – simple spoken words – get
magnified in untold ways,
Bringing cascading torrents of welcome refreshment –
comfort to my arid, thirsty soul.

Small things that remind me,
again…and yet again,
that Your love transcends crisis,
permeates chaos,
restores broken vessels.

Thank You, Lord, for your Spirit
that guides those who seek You
to follow through with the little things –
the little things born of Your unlimited,
hands-on care and love.
Amen

—Virgil Fry