Purpose in the Small Things:

I have started the book, “Miraculous Stories of the Healing Power of Prayer,”  by Harris Faulkner.  This book has been really delightful.  I have enjoyed hearing stories of prayer and miracles by the everyday person.  Some of the stories have been about a woman who conquered her heroin addiction and is now a missionary, one was about teens who were rescued by a boat when they were drowning in a huge lake, and a missionary who was put in prison for a while in Turkey who was finally released.  

One story I read recently was over George Washington Carver, the scientist who discovered many purposes of the peanut.  I knew about George Washington Carver, but I realized there were many things I didn’t know about him.  I wasn’t aware of how religious he was, and how those religious views are the main reason as to why the uses of the peanut were created.  In today’s world, we obviously know a lot about peanuts.  We know we can eat peanuts for a healthy snack, use it in peanut butter, cook with peanut oil, etc.  It is almost hard to imagine that at one time, there were many people who didn’t know anything about the peanut and how it could be consumed or used for everyday life.  

One quote from the book that really struck me was, “But George’s lifelong philosophy had been that God never created worthless things.”  I loved reading this.   I think there are many times we as people don’t find much purpose in the things of nature or we don’t find purpose in the small or obsolete things.  I know I personally struggle to find much purpose with things such as wind and certain bugs like mosquitos.  

Another one was “To those who have as yet not learned the secret of true happiness. Which is the joy of coming into the closest relationship with the Maker and Preserver of all things. Begin now to study the little things in your own door yard, going from the known to the nearest related unknown for indeed each new truth brings one nearer to God.”  When we as people take time to reflect on life and the things around us, we can be filled with a lot of joy.  We can often feel closer to God when we can see all the things and the goodness around us. 

Another woman who was very good about finding purpose and being grateful even in the small things was Betsie Ten Boom.  She was a sufferer of the Holocaust, but even amidst her suffering, she found ways to appreciate God’s goodness.  She was even grateful for the fleas in her and her sister, Corrie Ten Boom’s cabin.  She praised God for the fleas.  Her sister thought it was completely crazy for her to praise God about fleas.  However, these fleas ended up being vital for Corrie and Betsie’s safety.  At one time the guards at the concentration camp were doing searches in cabins. Corrie and Betsie had a Bible in the cabin.  Because of the fleas, the guards decided not to enter the cabin.  They were pretty grossed out, and therefore, Corrie, Betsie, and their Bible were saved.

We as people, even Christians, even myself, can also forget about the things all around.  We can sometimes forget about the little blessings in the world.  This is especially true when we are struggling or having a bad day.  When I am not in the best mood, I am more upset about things like the wind, especially when I am doing something outside.  However, I also have done some research in my time and have discovered that wind not only provides a chance for us humans, and animals to cool.  It also provides a source of energy, which is something that my home state of Iowa produces in great quantities. 

The challenge for this week is to spend some time in research over an item in life that we don’t see much of the benefit in.  For example, if you are a person who doesn’t see the benefit of wind, spend some time in research as to the importance of wind and why we need it.  I will personally do my own research.  It can even be great to spend some time in prayer over this small thing in the world.  Praise God for creating it and for it to be in your life.  Even if it is something one finds inconvenient.