…Some of you already know exactly where I’m going with this. It’s part of the human condition of being in a fallen state… Tiny things cause trouble that have the potential to do irreparable damage - mainly because it’’s not addressed… because it’s tiny and there are endless excuses.
Just to add to the pebbles, here’s a few more examples: fleas and ticks, small hairline cracks in a window, a small cavity, an ill-spoken word given as a jest, the tic of the tongue, the roll of the eyes or even the raised eyebrow aka the side-eye glance, the gesture of pretend gagging, the sigh, (oh the sigh!)… While all very small and seemingly unintentional - but not, because if noticed -they usually hit their mark. It’s too bad these hits don’t show up as yellow or red paintball marks on recipients with their immediate reactions. Would we be so ready to deliver them?… As Christ followers, I hope not… but we do.
I ask myself being a Christ follower, what has such behavior of the latter mention of small things that cause trouble - to do in my heart? It’s sin beloved and has no place. And the comeback response is: “No one is perfect! But this does not excuse the tiny pebbles, (I’m not even talking about the BIG boulders I fling, (most in my head and heart. I too am a work in progress)). We make our fellow humans - miserable, like the annoying pebble in the shoe - unintentionally or not.
We are called to take every thought captive, 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; I imagine - so we can run it through Father’s sieve. We are also to work out our salvation, Philippians 2:12-18; and that hardship produces patience, Romans 5:3-5… There a more scripture references, (I purposely didn’t include them, so you can look them up for yourself and maybe read more - like the context of these selections- just a suggestion…).
However, while pebbles are small things they really do make me miserable sometimes; to the point of needing to address them. The trouble comes when I don't address them. Likewise, even when someone else is the cause of trouble - to not confront others when they repeatedly throw pebbles - are we doing a service by overlooking the trouble it causes? Surely, extending grace is necessary, but when you’re bullied, or the target of jokes, gestures, etc, Father doesn’t say let the sins of our brothers and sisters flow because grace abounds. It’s not okay for us nor is it okay for our brothers and sisters. It’s not a judgement. It’s a correction - hopefully lovingly, graciously and confidentially delivered.
In keeping with the title: “Something Small…” I’ll keep my thoughts short, (shocker), and won’t belabor the point. These are just my ideas and I pray they cause those who are walking around with a pebble in their shoes to stop and address the trouble… It hurts after a while.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Nina
P.S. I’m not hypersensitive to everything, just some small things, kinda - I’m like “The Princess and the Pea”…because Father made me His princess 👸🏽
♥️
