CREEDE HINSHAW: Take time to notice the ‘little things’

Let’s think about little things today, miniscule moments measured against the news of nation and world. I invite you while you read this column (and maybe for the rest of your day) to leave behind Brexit, politics in Virginia, whether a wall gets built, the government shuttered, etc., etc., etc.

I walked out of the gym earlier this week thanking God for little things that happened there … signs of goodness and grace among the weight lifting machines and the racquetball court. None of these was newsworthy, yet all were important if one considers human goodness, kindness and graciousness.

There is only one racquetball court at our health facility and too many who want to play at the same time. This causes a weekly logistical challenge not of the scale of monitoring Iran or North Korea, but nevertheless a challenge. But this week when I arrived courtside, one of the men had adjusted his court time practice schedule to an earlier hour to make room for the rest to play later.

So now, my readers, you are suppressing a yawn. “Is this all he’s got to write about today? A shift in a racquetball schedule?” It’s a little thing. But it was kindness and thoughtfulness initiated by one for the greater good of many. He didn’t have to rearrange his schedule; for all I know it inconvenienced him. But he did it. When I thanked him, he shrugged it off, which was a second act of kindness.

Here’s another thing: My racquetball friends are all followers of Jesus. I am the only Methodist; the others are Baptist, Presbyterian or Church of Christ members. But denominational identity pales beside the fact that these men strive to be good, ethical and conscientious. I am grateful to have like-minded friends. Such are not always easy to find. If that’s a little thing, I rejoice in it.

Finally, as I was leaving the gym, a causal friend stopped me. He was exercising his arm with one of those elastic bands you pull against. We talked about biceps (and my lack of them) and then he spoke about his daily effort to be a faithful disciple of Jesus.

Until five years ago, he’d been a casual, cultural Christian. But then, he said, God got ahold of him and ever since he’s been a deeply, daily committed disciple. Pulling that elastic band as he spoke, his humility and conviction shone through. I’ve seen the change in his life and told him so. I’ve heard him discussing his faith with others in the locker room and told him so. He is as earnest about his faith as he is about strength training. Before I left, I commented that his words would be the highlight of my day. They were. We talked five minutes. Was it a little thing? I think not.

Life consists of little things. If you look hard enough, you’ll find most of them to be good. Can you see them? Are you paying attention?

Email Creede Hinshaw at [email protected].