Little Things by Hester Bates

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 1, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 25.

Little Things.

By Hester Bates

"He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much."

YES, indeed! for life is made up of little things, like the little drops of water that make the mighty ocean, and he or she who is faithful in the little home duties and in the daily work, will be faithful in the bigger things of life; for it is easier to be self-sacrificing and brave on some particular occasion, when one's feelings or enthusiasm is stirred by the thought of doing something great, than it is daily to be patient and self-denying, cheerfully doing what only God's eye can see costs an effort. Yet how dear to the heart of the Master is this faithfulness in little things, which reveals the character.

We all long, at times, to do something great, but in the little things, where we think it doesn't matter much, and where is no outward compulsion, we are apt to be self-indulgent and please ourselves, forgetting that it is "the foxes—the little foxes—that spoil the vines," so that the fruit is lost.

God will teach us through our little duties to be obedient, humble, loving, and submissive to him; and to be faithful may be preparation for greater service, but it certainly now wins the Master's smile of approval, and finally, his welcome home, as he says: "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Who can tell what is little and what is great? When the rich men were casting their gifts into the treasury, the Lord said of the widow's two mites: "Of a truth, I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all."

It is the motive that gives dignity and worth to action, and the heart performance of life's little duties is of great value in the sight of the Lord.

Away then with the thought that your life is narrow, and in your small sphere you can do no great work. A very little thing may turn the

scale, and make or mar a life; for sometimes great events hinge on very small things.

The ready smile, cheery word, generous act, quick appreciation of another's trials, and a warm interest and sympathy in their sorrows and joys is of no little value. You thus develop for good your own character, honor God, and help others.

A young girl, beset with many temptations, said of one who led her closer to the Saviour: "Not what she said, but what she looked, showed me Jesus." A look is a very little thing, but it made a deep and lasting impression. "Even so the tongue is a little member," but, "behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth." The tongue may be "an unruly evil, full of deadly poison," wounding bitterly, or it "may speak a word in season to him that is weary," the word which "fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Therefore dream not of great things, but, in intercourse with others, through looks, words, and acts, do a great work and live a noble life.—Hester Bates, in Christian at Work.