Little Things

Over the past couple weeks I've been trying to get back into the routine of walking each day for exercise.  Actually, it's kind of a stretch for me to use the phrase, "back into the routine" as it’s been about eight years since I last walked routinely.  So it’s more like, I’m beginning to walk - just taking baby steps at first.  To my wife's surprise I was able to begin with a mile each morning.  For a guy my size, age, and serious knee issues that’s not too shabby, or at least that’s what I told myself the first day.  This week I've been stretching it out a bit more and who knows, I may actually start getting in a serious workout before the summer is over.   I knew I had to start out "little" or else I would probably be setting myself up for a big failure – heart failure more than likely.

About the only safe area away from traffic in my neck of the woods is the expansive Oak Hill Cemetery which sprawls across a hillside area of Oneonta and creeps right up to our property line out back.  I merely have to head out in the direction of the dead and then walk until my legs give out.  Fortunately, the cemetery has lots of paved roads running through it, so there’s plenty of opportunity to walk unimpeded.  I love to get out early, just as the sun is clearing the hillside and the fog is beginning to lift from the ground.  It makes for such a serene stroll even though I still consider it to be exercise. 

As I started making this trek each morning I began to look at the names on the headstones to see how many are connected to those I know living now in our community.  Most are familiar family names, but a few must have died out over the years or were transients, as I don’t know of any Donahoos or Falterlys around here.   

Speaking of little things, while looking at these gravestone markers I was reminded of a bluegrass song about the smallest thing engraved on each of them, that little dash - or The Line in Between Big Dave Evans sings about.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEdUsWUE7-E

As you know, that dash represents the entirety of a person’s lifespan.  The “born” date and the “died” date and that little dash in between, "the line in between is about all we have left, from the time we're born we'll answer with death."  All of us, both big and tall, small and petite - the important ones and the ones considered to be insignificant, we'll all answer with death at some point, in some way.  When it happens that little, almost unnoticeable dash will be all that's left behind to tell the story of who we were.

Or will it be?

The other morning, after a big storm had blown through the night before, I stopped my so-called exercise program long enough to pick up some of the many wind-blown bunches of artificial flowers and tried to match them back up with the graveside vases they belonged.  For whatever reason it seemed important for me to do, even though I could have easily justified ignoring them.  I figured someone had taken the time and effort to place the flowers on the grave of their beloved and it just didn't seem right they were now scattered across the ground and roadways to be driven over or tossed away.  It was just a little thing, but to me it was important!

Recently I was at a fundraising event for a non-profit organization ( K.A.R.M. - http://karm.org/ ) which I've been a part of for about 12 years now.  It’s located where I call “back home” or about four hours away from my home today.  I love going back to serve alongside the many friends I have in this organization.   Years ago when I first felt the need to serve others I tried to get in as a volunteer around the holidays, you know the times when you hear so much about all the help their type of program provides the needy.  Disappointingly, my offer to volunteer to help feed the homeless a Thanksgiving meal was rejected, as I was told they already had plenty of help.  Instead of getting angry or bitter toward the organization and taking my offer elsewhere I decided to take a different approach.  I waited until after the holidays and once again volunteered to help. Bingo! I was told they needed help in the Men's Check-in area at night. The duties as explained over the phone sounded pretty simple, so I said; that sounds great I'll be there tonight!  Great, that was until my feet actually hit the second floor of the main building and found there were about 300-350 men staying there every night.    This was a much bigger program than I anticipated, and it turned out to be a bit more work as well, but I loved every minute of it!  As time went forward I volunteered in may other areas of their organization as well, anywhere needed and especially with the little things. 

Interestingly enough, there are no qualifications or standards the guests have to meet before they can spend the night, or eat a meal. No fighting or loud cussing, and absolutely no drugs or alcohol in the building but other than that, it's a, come on in if you have a need type of environment.  I really liked that back then, and still today consider it to be the main reason I love to help them serve.  It reminds me of all the things Jesus taught and did.  

During this most recent fundraiser I unexpectedly was asked to do an interview with one of the TV crews covering the event.  Me of all people, go figure!   The reporter seemed like a really nice guy and I enjoyed talking with him for about a half hour or so as he followed me around as I went about my duties.  He was particularly interested in knowing why a person like me would be willing to drive an eight hour round trip to come serve in a capacity many would see as being insignificant, the parking volunteers coordinator. I thought to myself, have you ever noticed how sometimes what seems crazy to others, may actually hold a significant importance to the person doing it.  Side-note: Coordinating a team of volunteers to park 5,000-6,000 cars in a span of about an hour and a half without incident is anything but insignificant in my opinion.

My answer to his questions as to why K.A.R.M. and why do I choose to continue to volunteer to help even though I live in a different state now was the one thing I wanted to insure got into his report, but somehow it was left out.    My response was both truthful and complete as I told him; early on what I learned about K.A.R.M. was, it's an organization built on the principle of people willing to serve others, coming together to do little things that make a huge difference in someone’s life.  There are no superstars in this ministry, just a bunch of normal people like me and you, doing all these little things every day that has made a big impact in the community, and especially in the lives of those in need.

You can see the interview here if you like.  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=733836459990925

I suspect you, like I have met many people over the years with really big visions of having large ministries or missions throughout the world.  Their visions and insights as to the impact they will have is both impressive and greater than many of us think possible.   I love listening to BIG dreams, don’t you?  It causes a stirring inside me when I hear someone talking about the huge impact they will have in some area of society.  But, what I've learned over the years is this; not everyone is made for, or gifted to be a part of a large ministry.  It’s my belief that some of us are actually called simply to do little things, but do them in a way, and do them often enough that it has a big impact in the lives of others.  Yet, most certainly do them without expecting anything in return!  I hate the phrase, "paying it forward" as if someday, someone will do something nice for us and we'll somehow feel as if we have earned their kindness already.  YUK!  The concept of Paying it forward has no place in the Christian mindset and I believe we need to stop teaching it! Whew, I got a little off track there for a minute, now where was I?   Oh yeah.....

Little things, such as giving someone a place to sleep at night, a hot meal when they need it, or it may be something small like mowing someone’s yard or baking a neighbor a cake.  Even a smile, a prayer, a handshake, or my very favorite - a good old fashion up-in-your-space hug can be a little thing that provides a large amount of joy in a person's life.  There are so many little things we can do every day that has the potential to make a big difference, if only we make the smallest of effort.

That dash, or line in between I was referring to earlier doesn't have to be the only thing that represents our lives after we’re gone.  We can be remembered for all the small things we did for others without ever expecting anything in return.  Jesus told about a man that did exactly that for a dude battered and lying in a ditch whom his own people had walked by and ignored.  This Good Samaritan fellow went the extra mile in every sense of the way to help a stranger that under normal circumstances would have despised him simply because of his nationality.  He even went as far as to return a week later to see if he needed to pay the innkeeper more money for any additional cost incurred by the wounded stranger.  That was an amazing story of servant-hood for that region, in those times, for those people.  Sadly enough, I suspect it still could be seen by many today as going a bit too far to help someone of a different skin color, nationality, or religious beliefs, etc. I firmly believe Jesus told that parable for us today just as much as he told it to those listening to his voice some 2000 years ago.

Later He said; what you do for the least of these, you also have done for me.  I believe that's a calling for each and every one of us to minister to the needs of those less fortunate!

Little things sometimes add up to big things when they’re done in love - when their done without strings attached.  I love doing little things whether they’re four hours away, or right here in the cemetery behind our house, because I know it’s something He has called me to do, and more importantly He is expecting me to do. The little things most certainly do matter, especially in a world where too many people look out for Ol' Number One far too often!  doug

Notice that little dash in the sign below - it's seems pretty big if you ask me!