Tiny Treasures

I thought we had won. After weeks of setting traps and securing every nook and cranny of our Welsh cottage, the unwelcome mouse that had taken up residence seemed to have moved on. The victory was ours! Or so I thought until the other morning when I opened the pantry door.

There he sat, bold as brass, perched atop the shelf with my favorite chocolates. The little thief had gnawed through the wrappers and was helping himself to my precious stash! We locked eyes for a moment—me in horror, him in what I'm pretty sure was smug satisfaction—before we both fled in opposite directions. He scurried into his hidden passage while I slammed the door and retreated to the safety of my office, mourning the loss of my chocolate comfort.

Now, every time I approach the pantry, I brace myself like I'm about to open a horror movie door. What else has the tiny terror destroyed? What other treasures has he claimed as his own?

But as I sat fuming about this miniature thief, the Lord reminded me of something important: small things matter. This tiny creature, weighing mere ounces, had utterly disrupted my day and altered my behavior. And isn't it just like our God using small things to accomplish great purposes?

Jesus himself said, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you" (Matthew 17:20). A mustard seed is tiny, yet Jesus used it to illustrate the power of even the smallest amount of faith.

Consider David's five smooth stones, the little boy's lunch that fed thousands, or the widow's two mites. Each of these seemingly insignificant items became powerful instruments in God's hands. Even Shamgar, one of Israel's judges, delivered his people with nothing more than an ox goad (Judges 3:31). Who would have thought a simple farming tool could become a weapon of mass deliverance?

Sometimes, I think we're waiting for the big moments—the dramatic testimonies, the burning bush experiences, the road-to-Damascus conversions. But more often than not, God works through the small, everyday occurrences. A kind word spoken at just the right moment. A simple card sent to encourage a struggling friend. A quiet prayer whispered in the dark hours of the morning.

The prophet Zechariah understood this principle when he wrote, "For who hath despised the day of small things?" (Zechariah 4:10). He was addressing those who felt discouraged because the rebuilt temple didn't match the grandeur of Solomon's original. But God was teaching them (and us) that we shouldn't underestimate the significance of small things.

So, while I may not appreciate my uninvited rodent resident and his taste for my delicious chocolates, I'm thankful for the reminder that small things matter to God. He's not limited by size or scope. After all, this is the same God who used a shepherd boy to slay a giant, a handful of flour to feed a prophet, and a baby in a manger to save the world.

Perhaps today, instead of waiting for the big moments, we should look for the small opportunities God places before us. That gentle nudge to make a phone call, prompting to share our faith, and the impulse to extend forgiveness. These might seem insignificant, but in God's hands, they could become mighty instruments of His purpose.