18 Months. The little things!

Eighteen months and waiting. I want to say that again, half of 2022 and the entire 2023. That's how long I've been waiting to have my paperwork approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, for several reasons: to be able to work in the US, renew my Driver's License, travel to India, and see my family in India, whom I haven't seen in person for almost 5 1/2 years, and to be able to re-enter the US. Without being able to work or hired, earn for the family, freely go out, drive by myself around, visit my family and so many other things, the list goes on. In one word, suffocate. There is very little I can do when you feel that way. While I could be doing so many things like some could say, this, forced to rest or do nothing, left me very little to look forward to, at the least until we learned that we were having a baby.

This big news of our baby girl changed my mentality towards everything. It encouraged me to change my mindset, to be more supportive of my wife who is carrying my precious baby, and to be more helpful around the house so she could come home to rest after a long day of work. This time allowed me to work on establishing a nonprofit, which was long overdue. One morning, while making my bed (as it is my practice to make my bed with the hope of having at least one thing accomplished before I go to bed at the end of the day), the Lord said, "It's the little things that matter."

Immediately I was reminded of a sermon I heard several years ago, based on the story of Noah and the flood. After all the flooding for forty days and nights, and waiting days for the water to recede. Noah sends a dove to look for signs of life outside the ark. On the third attempt, the dove brings back a little olive leaf. We witness that, with the little olive leaf, comes the message of peace and hope to Noah and his family in the ark. This little leaf is a significant message of peace after chaos and a promise of life after destruction. 

Gen 8:10-12

He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark. When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. 

Behind the little olive leaf was a great message of redemption, life, and the existence of peace for the 7 humans and 6,744 animals left on the ark. I needed this reminder. It gave me something to be cheerful about and encouraged me to count my blessings one by one both small and large - my wife who has been a tremendous blessing to me ever since God brought her into my life, my family in India and the US, my friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ, and for also the ones who did not stand by my side, they have taught me many things, including what God can be to me in their absence. The little things we do can help us conquer the little challenges that, in some seasons, feel like mountains impassable.

We live in a world where small acts of kindness are viewed with skepticism, and small words and actions of empathy and love are overlooked entirely. The little things are not of much importance. But to God, those are the things that matter. At times, we fail to trust our God from whom all richness of justice, righteousness, and love flows. That, with Him, all things work for good. Even the smallest things work for good.

As of Dec 7th, 2023 I received my employment authorization document and my travel permit. Praise God for His faithfulness towards me! It is the little actions today that give a greater message of peace, love, redemption, and blessing. Every day is an inch closer to God, and He notices and rewards us. God appreciates the little things. He sees those small actions and efforts we make every day. 

Paul reminds the Church in Thessaloniki,

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

I don’t know what your little thing is. The thing you find fulfillment or accomplishment in, or would love to see more of in your life. Imagine we do those little things in our spiritual lives, having faith as small as a mustard seed. We then rejoice in the small things, pray for the small things, and give thanks to God for every small thing. Imagine our lives fashioned in that manner. Jesus’ life was fashioned in this way from childhood, to the road to the cross, and after.  

I hope we are grateful for the little things alongside the big ones in 2023, finding hope, peace, and encouragement in them. And for the NEW YEAR 2024, I want to encourage and challenge us to consider the power of the little things that are transformative. 

• In this season of joy, let us rejoice and worship and be glad in the little things that God is part of. 

• Let's pray for the smallest things that keep us in continued fellowship with God. 

• Let us give thanks to God for His grace, goodness, and mercy in the smallest things in our lives.

I WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024!!!

Until next time,

Blessings in Bunches