Remembering "The little things" by Gary Rose

The holiday season is a time for family gatherings, and good feelings. Generally, we are all on our “best behavior” of the year, and happiness abounds. During this time, we are more prone to appreciate even the little things in life and like the picture says:” One day you will look back and realize they were the big things”.

For many of us out there, it is the only time we go to church (and possibly Easter as well). During the year, other things get in the way of our remembering God and consider him a small part of their life and a very low priority. But, to paraphrase the above quote: one day you will look back and realize that God should have been the most important of all.

So, this being true; what sort of attitude should we have? The first thing that comes to mind is that of David, that great king of ancient Israel. Why? Because the Bible says that he was a man after God’s own heart.(See Acts 13:22) To me David’s attitude is best exemplified by the following Psalm…

Psalm 143 ( World English Bible )

[1] A Psalm by David. Hear my prayer, Yahweh. Listen to my petitions. In your faithfulness and righteousness, relieve me. [2] Don’t enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous. [3] For the enemy pursues my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead. [4] Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.

[5] I remember the days of old. I meditate on all your doings. I contemplate the work of your hands. [6] I spread forth my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. Selah.

[7] Hurry to answer me, Yahweh. My spirit fails. Don’t hide your face from me, so that I don’t become like those who go down into the pit. [8] Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you. [9] Deliver me, Yahweh, from my enemies. I flee to you to hide me.

[10] Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. [11] Revive me, Yahweh, for your name’s sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.

[12] In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, For I am your servant.

David had a close relationship with the Almighty. He was a willing, humble servant who sought God at every turn. Even though David had failings and sinned, still he always returned to God in repentance. Other than our savior, Jesus, what better model could there be of an ordinary human being?

Today, we all have the opportunity to be better; why not take advantage of the time to get closer to God? Who knows, with God’s help, you may become the person you always wanted to be, and more!