The Little Things

One thing you learn pretty quickly living in little-kid world is that small things matter. Her headbands must be worn with the bow or flower on a particular side. Making sure Bunny has his blanket tucked in tight is more important than being on time for school. The blue sippy cup, purple spoon, and orange bowl go to Ellie; the green sippy cup, yellow spoon, and butterfly bowl go to Eric. He likes his sandwiches without the crust and his food no warmer than room temperature. She was really touched that I remembered to pack a Kleenex (not a napkin, mind you) into her lunch box.

Kids have this odd attention to detail that would be considered inconvenient at best and dysfunctional at worst in adult terms, but sometimes it can be a refreshing reminder to rethink what is most important. There are definitely plenty of quirky preferences I hope they grow out of, but when I get into their heads, I am reminded that to them what is relational and speaks love is always more important than some task or something more convenient, and that can be good. It is very important to show Nana, their stuffed dog, that we love her by making a house for her and tucking her in properly. It is very important to finish the drawing we are making as a gift for Daddy, even if it means dinner starts late. It is very important to closely examine each other’s (nonexistent) boo-boo’s immediately.

Rick Bass writes that whenever he is confronted with a difficult task or struggle, he thinks about glaciers. A glacier forms from the accumulation of snow that hardens into ice, over years, and once it starts moving, nothing can stop it. He writes that “glaciers get built or not built, simply, miraculously, because the earth is canting a single one-trillionth of a degree in this direction for a long period of time, rather than in that direction.” And then, “When I am alone in the woods, and the struggle seems insignificant or futile… I tell myself that little things matter—and I believe they do. I believe that even if your heart leans just a few degrees to the left or the right of center, that with enough resolve.. and enough time.. the ice will begin to form.. then one day—it must—the ice will begin to slide.”

Kids notice the little things. God notices the little things. The little things matter. The struggle I win over not saying out loud the selfish thought I have in my head. The determination to avoid the source of an unhealthy fantasy. Deciding to wake up with grace towards my kids instead of grumpiness. Listening to a patient for a few more moments instead of rushing out the door. Deciding I’m going to be vulnerable even though I’m scared. The little things are usually unseen, rarely lauded, often unscheduled, but I think they are where life happens. They are what life is. They are the difference between living life in asynchrony and living life with integrity; they are what make us who we are in the end.