What are the fondest memories you have in life?   Normally, it is the little things which give us the most pleasure.  My friend tells me of his mother fishing with he and his brother, riding bicycles, school lunches made with love, peanut patties, hot water cornbread, small caramel pies tucked into a lunch his class mates tried to bargain for.  He remembers well the days of little money, but huge amounts of love his mother and father had for he and his brother.  He still, after almost 88 years misses them, to the point it brings tears to his eyes.  …and it wasn’t the big things which made him happy, it was the tiny moments, the tiniest of gestures which gave him the happiest moments in his growing up years, and gave him memories which have lasted well into his almost 88 years.

“Honour thy father and thy mother;  that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”     Exodus 20:12

“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.  Home is the nicest word there is.  Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all.  If you can only remember me with tears, then don’t remember me at all.”      ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

I remember teaching him the Gospel plan of salvation.  A call at midnight of one in distress and had a broken shoulder, opened the door to teaching the Gospel to a man 83 years of age, which led to his conversion at the age of 85.  It was in the smallest moments of time I taught him.  The little visits to check on him.  Taking him a pie or peanuts, which he loves.  Feeding his cattle, dog, chickens, taking a meal to him before I would go to work, checking on him after work in the morning, and many calls to make sure he was alright.  In was during those times he became interested in the Gospel. It is the little things that add up to the biggest things one’s life.

“It belittles us to think of our daily tasks as small things, and if we continue to do so, it will in time make us small.”       ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;  for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”   Ecclesiastes 9:10

My preacher went to see him.  He told me it was the first time a preacher ever visited him, and the visit too brought tears to his eyes, seeing others cared for him as well, not just physically, but spiritually.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it.  Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”       Matthew 22:37-40

Christianity has changed my friend.  Once he was fairly impatient.  Patience is now a part of his life.  He never said a prayer before meals, and he does not forget now.  At one time he spoke occasionally in speech unbecoming of a Christian, but his speech is with purity now.  Christianity points us to a better way of life, not only now, but points our way toward heaven as well.

It is amazing what a number of “little” things can do.  A little attention, a little care for another, a little more thoughtfulness.  A little slowing down.  Many small moments of time, giving attention to detail, and living one’s life before others, gives them the example of Christianity put into action.

“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”         ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”     Matthew 5:16

“Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick;  and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”     Matthew 5:15

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ:  that whether I come and see you or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel;  And in nothing terrified by your adversaries:  which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.”    Philippians 1:27:28

We teach in many ways.  There are many helps available to teach the Gospel, but by far the most important is the conversation of your life.  For it is in practicing ones belief others are swayed, and desire to know more about Him.

“As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful.  They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness – just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breathe it;  just warmth and shelter and home folks;  just plain food that gives us strength;  the bright sunshine on a cold day;  and a cool breeze when the day is warm.      ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

Eileen Light