It Doesn't Take Much
I came across a quote recently that has stuck with me ever since:
“Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you’ll look back and realize that they were the big things.” – Kurt Vonnegut
In light of my cancer diagnosis, I have seen the truth of this statement as never before.
The pleasure of eating one of my favorite meals (with no dry mouth!).
The joy of sharing lunch with a dear friend and reminiscing about past memories.
The excitement of an IU basketball win (alas, all too rare this year!)
The thrill of seeing our bluebirds return to their backyard house.
Little things. Things that, for much of my life, I underestimated or overlooked.
To be sure, this is a lesson in its own right. And I would encourage you to capture such moments and savor them.
A Cup of Cold Water
However, there’s a corollary to this quote that I’ve also come to value. And it didn’t come from a famous author, but from my own experience.
“Bless someone with the little things of life, for one day you’ll come to see that they were the big things.
During this nine-month journey, Gwen and I have been wonderfully blessed by generous expressions of love.
Gift certificates to Uber Eats and DoorDash.
Cases of nutritional supplements.
Homemade meals.
Offers of yardwork.
And to be sure, these were really appreciated. But we have come to see that blessings can flow in other, less expensive and simpler ways.
A text that reminded me that I wasn’t alone and wasn’t forgotten.
An email that detailed how my life had impacted an individual over the years, and even now.
A card that contained not only some beautiful promises but personal words of encouragement.
A squeeze on the shoulder…a warm hug…a kiss on the cheek.
We have come to see that there’s something so special about something so simple. A phrase that we’ve used time and again in the afterglow of that moment is, “You know, it doesn’t take much.”
Just a moment of recognition and an act of thoughtfulness. Things that don’t carry a hefty price tag but can make a difference.
In light of this, I’ve begun to try to live out my quote with regularity. Not to allow the inability to do some big thing for someone keep me from doing a small thing for someone.
Jesus said that even a cup of cold water offered in His name has great value and won’t go unrewarded (see Matthew 10:42). That little thing is in reality a big thing.
So, I’ve tried to sharpen my spiritual antenna for a prompt of the Holy Spirit when I hear about a person’s struggle, pain, disappointment, or loss. I’ve made a commitment to send a text, give a call, or write an email.
To be sure, it doesn’t seem like much…but, you know, it doesn’t take much.
Let me encourage you to try this. Be on the lookout for people in need, and then don’t simply shake your head or click your tongue. Reach out in a simple act of love.
Take it from me, it means more than you could ever know.
One more thing: my immunotherapy treatments continue, and I’m having no side effects! It feels so good to simply feel good. Two more rounds, and then we scan again to see how the cancer is responding. Many thanks for your ongoing prayers.
We got almost everyone in this photo! Front row L to R: Madison (Jeff’s), Megan (Jen’s), Dave, Gwen, and Nolan (Jeff’s); Back row L to R: Karri and Jim, Jen, Jeff and Samantha
PRAYER REQUESTS
Here’s how you can pray for us in the coming days:
PRAY about who you could bless with a little act of love.
PRAISE God that Dave is feeling well!
Dave’s next treatment day will be March 31. PRAY that the immunotherapy is effective and that God will bring complete healing.