What We Do About the Little Things

by - June 15, 2011

I had a delightful week of quiet, clean, and completed projects I never seem to have time for last week while I was home alone.  And then they got home, and everything instantly reverted to what I know of my routine life day in, day out. Even the things that aren't so delightful.

I had to tip-toe down the stairs earlier than the rest who like to sleep late, because late for me is 6 am. I tossed a sweater over my PJs because the thermostat gets moved 5 degrees cooler when Mike's home, and I was (always am) cold. The documentaries I enjoyed last week on TV, are a thing of the past.  I don't have the time, nor am I the one who controls the remote. And Mike has made our kitchen table his home office again — already. {Sigh}

They hadn't been home for twelve hours yet, and I'd already made quite a few concessions for the sakes of those I love the most—and live with, maybe more importantly. And every single one is worth it, even if measured one at a time rather than the huge sum total they might seem to me to be together. They are small concessions for the sake of love, harmony in my home, and fulfilling relationships.

If we're selfish in the little things, thinking they're inconsequential, we just might be unknowingly sacrificing the biggest things we want the most. It's a subtlety we don't always recognize. I think these even might be among the first sights along the paths that ultimately lead to affairs and divorce and grown kids who seldom come home to visit Mom and Pops.  When we reach one of those ruinous ends and we can't point to one big thing that catapulted us there, we assuredly arrived one small decision after another to serve self rather than those we love.

Right now, my son is filling our piano room with his voice and chords that make my heart sing. It's something I'm more than happy to continue hounding him to clean his room for, because although his room was clean for a week without any barking on my part, there was no beautiful music here last week.

Small concessions. Are you making them or foregoing them? How can you tell?

And now I'm wondering what concessions my family makes in order to live with and love me. Great.



Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  ~Philippians 2:3-4

You May Also Like

4 comments

  1. Glad everyone's home, and the house is filled with the sweet sound of your son making music. We all make concessions, don't we?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've had quiet mornings here this week as six of my eight are gone to work or either with Dad to Upward B.ball camp from 7:00 - Noon. It has been good to have more time to focus on little projects. I love the picture at the end. The Lord has blessed you with a beautiful family!

    ReplyDelete
  3. "When we reach one of those ruinous ends and we can't point to one big thing that catapulted us there, we assuredly arrived one small decision after another to serve self rather than those we love." So true and and important to be intentional about. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds like some lovely alone time -- and yes, we all make concessions...and fail to make them from time to time.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.