Small Things

I've been working with the youth, helping them prepare for the musical performance "From Cumorah's Hill" in May. I wasn't familiar with any of the music before, but over the past few months of rehearsals, one of the songs has really stuck with me. Lines will run through my mind as I am going about my regular routine.

To move a mountain,
To make the sea become dry land.
To cross an ocean,
To build a ship upon the sand.
Such things I could do
If the Lord should command,

But the Lord has commanded me
To love a neighbor ,and to forgive when I am wronged.
To keep a promise, to have my word become my bond. 

How simple and small
Are the things He has asked,
Are the things He has asked of me.
 

How often I find myself struggling with the small things - the day to day challenges, being a good parent, wife, sister, friend. Loving my neighbor. Fulfilling my responsibilities, serving others. Being cheerful and patient and kind. None of it is big, none of it should be very difficult. It's not like He has asked me to move mountains or to part the Red Sea. I feel like I should be able to pull it off effortlessly. But I can't. I fail. I fall. I forget. I screw up.

Fortunately, the song reminds me that I don't have to do it by myself.

Great things and small things,
I can do all things,
All that the Lord may require.
Though the world my assail me,
God will not fail me.
He will remain by my side.
Whether He asks for the great or the small,
I can do them all!
 

He gave us weakness
And yet He calls us to obey.
And so He teaches
That we must call on Him for strength.
And such is the love
That the Father extends;
What we pray for in faith, He sends.

 So, when I start to get down this week, I am going to make an effort to remember that the Lord asks different things of each of us. And right now, He asks me to do small things. And, He promises that through it all, He will be there with me, helping me. If I just rely on Him.

And through the small things
Will come the greatest things of all.
(From Cumorah's Hill, by Steven Kapp Perry)

Have a great Sunday!