Church of the Small Things

First, let it be noted that I was officially {one of the few} that Melanie Shankle chose to be on her book launch team.  And when I say few, I actually mean there were a lot of us but that is beside the point.  And yes, I am bragging and I don't even feel bad about it.  I received the book early like I was someone important.  It came directly to my house.  I was included on a Facebook group that Melanie herself posted in several times and even shared a video in and I got some very coveted freebies.  I feel famous y'all.  But enough about me, let's get on with this book review because I am obsessed.  

I was able to read the book before the October release date and I can say without a single doubt you will want to read this book if you have not already.  It gives you perspective and it allows you to rest in your normal, everyday and feel like you have purpose.  It is one of the most powerful books I have read that was actually able to shift my current paradigm from always doing more or being more to being who God created me to be right where I am.  It reminded me that my holy moments, my significant moments, may be right smack dab in the middle of my messy and mundane life and they matter regardless of how big or small the world thinks they are.

"A life isn't made from one thing, one big moment, or one huge success.  It's created moment by moment, often with pieces that don't look like anything beautiful on their own, but are the very fabric of who God meant for us to become as we pack lunches, raise kids, love our neighbors, and simply be who he created us to be; nothing more, nothing less."  

My husband and I have lived through the tragedy of losing our baby and it changed our family forever.  Our little boy Charlie died from a genetic disorder 17 days after he was born.  The small things that others have done since then are pieces of my story that make me believe in the truth that small things are actually big things.  This quote above is so profound when you are on the receiving end of "the small things."

As I look at these words from my perspective, as a person that has been impacted daily by small, simple acts of love and kindness I am in awe of God's goodness.  I have been going back over the past three years in my mind and I'm realizing how important it is that we all believe every little thing we do is part of the beautiful stained glass picture that God is perfecting little by little in our lives.  We need to know being the hands and feet of Jesus is something we can do every single day.  When we think we have to do something BIG to be impactful we miss the million little things that impact others on a daily basis.  We miss that piece of red glass that finishes the stained glass heart in the middle of us all.

I have been changed for the better by kind words, a smile, a simple nod, a hug, and most importantly people that I love just showing up for me over and over again.  If those family members, friends, colleagues or neighbors thought they needed to be more or do something bigger I may or may not have had them walk with me through my broken, but beautiful journey.  They may or may not have thought they had time to send us a card in the mail or take our dog to the groomer.  They may or may not have sent the text that changed the course of my day or looked me in the eye and said with empathy, "I am here and I'm not going anywhere."  They may not have mowed our grass or reminded me of upcoming obligations when I was unable to focus in the midst of that season.  They changed me.  All the small and seemingly "unimportant" things were in fact the most important.

As I read more of the book I realized that we all go through these seasons.  We all have tragedy rock our world.  Big or small it's there and big or small we can continue to walk hand in hand through those moments with one another and be who God created us to be for those people that need us; nothing more and nothing less.  Melanie shared a story about her dear friend Jen who passed away in her sleep on August 9, 2016 after a long battle with cancer and their mutual friend Jamie.

"It's what Jamie has done that stands out to me.  There are no grand gestures, just an almost daily faithfulness...Jamie sacrificed her time and her own agenda to serve Jen with a million small kindnesses that aren't glamorous, but scream love and devotion in a big way.  It's been a reminder that the best thing we can do when someone we love is hurting is show up.  Most times there are no right words, no one thing that will make it all better, and nothing we can actually do to change the circumstances.  But we can be the beige wall holding up the neon poster.  And make all the difference simply by being there."

And now as I move forward I am able to be completely transparent in hopes of encouraging others towards courage and bravery.  The parts of my day that seem insignificant to me or feel like I am just barely hanging on with this oversized bag called grief dragging me down may actually be significant to someone else, proof that they can do it too.  I want to say I am not doing anything special but according to this new paradigm shift, I actually am doing something very special and very profound in God's kingdom.   I am in a place where I can impact others.  I can carry my grief with honesty and grace and I can be kind for others in their own big and small, happy or sad moments.

So if you want to read a book that will encourage the best in you, even in the small moments, buy this book.  If you want to laugh and cry and fall in love with my favorite author, buy this book.  If you need a paradigm shift, an opportunity to love the season you are in and the person that you were created to be, buy this book.  If you want to go to church and find Jesus in the small things, buy this book!  It will help you realize how valuable you are and how beautiful the church of the small things really is in our everyday lives.