Take care of the little things!

Have you ever noticed how the big things so often are actually just little things that got out of hand? Here is a great example. No, this isn't our car - but it got your attention, right?!!!

The other day, my wife had an appointment at 8am. She got into the car at 7:45 and soon discovered that the car would not start. There was just no sound when she turned the key. On top of being late for the appointment, Robbin couldn't bear the thought of yet another seemingly all-to-frequent vehicle expense. Flustered and frustrated, she got out of the car and made her way to the house to get my help. By the time she reached the front door, she realized her mistake. She turned around and realized that she had forgotten to put the car in gear and put the parking brake on. She knew this because our car was rolling down the driveway, and she watched it cross the (busy) street, hop the curb, and settle on the neighbour's lawn with the back end sticking out on the road! After calling a cab to take Robbin to her appointment I waited for CAA and couldn't help but wonder why she didn't remember to put the parking brake on.

When the CAA guy came, he started it up with a battery charger and tested it out and felt that everything looked good. I told him what happened and I have to say that I just gave him the facts - without complaining about "women and cars" 'cause that's just not my style. But, he did get the message that my wife did this. When I asked why it happened he explained it could be anything. He had a quick look around and discovered the interior light was switched to the on position. He looked at me and with a wry grin asked who had the car last night, to which I sheepishly admitted was me! I left the car light on all night and killed the battery! If I had taken care of a very small thing, we never would have had the car on the neighbour's lawn!

Well, the CAA guy had a good chuckle at my expense but it got me thinking about how many "big problems" could be dealt with easier, reduced, or avoided altogether if the little things were taken care of. I want to offer a little word of advice when it comes to our faith and relationship with God - Take care of the small stuff, and you will be entrusted with even greater tasks. Be faithful in the little things, and it will just be natural for you to be faithful with more important things. Exhibit integrity during the easy times, and you will persevere in tough times. Most important, be sure to say one small prayer of repentance, acceptance, and surrender and the biggest thing of all - eternity - will be taken care of! The Bible describes hell as a whole lot worse then jumping a curb and landing in your neighbour's yard...