I absolutely LOVE notes.
I never fully realized my endearment for handwritten notes until I was cleaning out boxes in my room before leaving on the race. Birthday cards, sticky notes, and thank you's from years and years ago filled up file after file and were founded tucked away in books and journals.
In the midst of the chaos, I came across an aged napkin carefully places in the pages of my photo album.
When I was a senior in high school, I use to waitress for Chili’s bar and grill.
Ah, the food industry. Don’t get me wrong, the food was great, but there is a certain stigma about being a server that automatically implies that the world is against you.
“See table 5? Bunch of teenagers. There goes my tip for the night.”
“Couple of ladies chatting it up at my table 2… probably never going to leave.”
And don’t get me started on Sunday brunch! We Christians have the worst reputation in the serving industry.
“Tip = Jesus loves you” may be cute but certainly doesn’t help my bill payment.
Same with the hundred dollar bills that tell me my treasure is in heaven.
On one particularly pessimistic day, I was wandering from table to table, smile stuck on my face and upset at whoever decided to slow down time. I looked down at a table I was clearing and a napkin caught my eye with the words “I can see the love of God in your smile!”
Me? In my smile? Wow!
I don’t remember the person who left it, I don’t remember anything else that day. At that point in my life I believe I was serving more tables than I was serving Lord, but it made a huge impact on my life.
I have been learning lately how intentional God is in the little things. How amazing is He that He weaves this tapestry together of little moments that proclaim his glory. The stories are more beautiful than we could ever ask for or imagine.
Today, two little girls led me around their village holding my hands and singing “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord” in their broken English.
Last week, a man working at our hostel, pulled me aside to tell me how much Jesus loved me and how he could tell that I loved the Lord- never even having a full conversation with the guy.
They will never know how much their words and actions effected me. That person from Chili's will never know that I STILL have that napkin.
I think I forget the point. I miss the little things. The moments to smile, the moments to leave a note or give a hug. Every single moment can be used to glorify the Lord.
I don’t believe in coincidence. I don’t believe in luck. I believe that our God loves us SO much that He divinely arranges moments for us to be giddy in our blessed we are.
I think He knows exactly how much I love coffee, and He has provided it every day this month
I think He knows I love laying in hammocks and having good conversation.
I think He sends someone to pray over me and encourage me at the perfect moment when I need it the most.
For by him all things are created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things and all things hold together.
– Colossians 1:15-17.
Nothing that you do for Jesus ever goes un noticed. Nothing for Him is useless. Its the little threads that are woven together to create the big tapestry.
You are more significant than you know, and you make more of an impact than you can ever imagine.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
– 1 Corinthians 15:58
