Take Pride in the Small Tasks

“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” – Helen Keller

“There is power in time and there is power in persistence, and if we are persistent over time we shall achieve greater things.  To do something great and noble would be a wonderful experience, but the full measure of the heart is found in the courage and the strength to do the small things as if they were some great and noble task. Doing what is needed and necessary is our chief duty, and over time these small tasks can become a testimony to a noble life and a life well lived.  Jesus told his disciples that if they had faith even as small as a mustard seed that they could have the faith to move a mountain.  

Faith is found in the small things, and faith in small things will give us faith for the big things.

The parable of the grain of mustard seed reveals truth about the power of the small.   ‘Another parable he put forth unto them, saying, the kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: (32) Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.’  Matthew 13:31-32 (KJV).  At times our faith may seem as small as a mustard seed as we face the challenges and trials of life, and we yearn for the faith to stand strong and mighty, but in truth the faith to believe and to trust in the small things builds upon our foundation of faith.  

Our mustard seed faith sown in trust and belief will grow into a tree that is mighty and strong, a tree filled with seeds of faith.  Do the tasks needed each day and surrender each day unto the Lord and believe and have faith in his perfect love and will, and over time doing all the small things as if they were great and noble tasks, we will discover that our mustard seed faith has become something much more, something great and mighty.”

When I hear these words, I immediately think of my life as a stay-at-home mom.  It is easy to feel as though spending your day doing laundry and wiping snotty noses is hardly part of some greater picture, that most wouldn’t exactly consider these to be great and noble tasks.  It can be easy to feel lost in the mundane activities of each day, but we must not lose sight of our real purpose.

We are shaping the future of the world through our children.  If we can see the beauty and importance of “just being a mom,” we will see that it is no small thing.  Those who have had a wonderful mother know its value, and those who have not understand the detriment it has caused.  Completing the small and simple tasks each day that lead a child to feel valued and loved, so that they will grow to be a valuable member of society, is nothing to scoff at.    

Whether you are a mother or not, see the value in completing the simple tasks each day, in remaining faithful in the small moments, for small and simple tasks done in love and service unto the Lord will lead to the greatest victory of all.