AS I walk to work in the cold and gloom of a midwinter early morning, I am cheered and heartened by the tiny points of color provided by the few tough plants that continue to bloom. These plants include the odd rose on a bush that has not been pruned in readiness for spring, the occasional geranium that struggles to produce a single bloom, or the bright marigold out of sync with the rest of the garden.
This experience led me to recall times when I felt discouraged, as if my small efforts counted for nothing. We all tend to compare ourselves -- especially our acts of love and service -- to others, and we may decide that we are doing too little or that what we are doing is of little consequence. Yet there may be times when our efforts can be compared to the tiny points of color on a winter's morning -- they may be just what those we serve need to cheer them up, keep them going, or let them know that there is still life, color, and beauty around them.
Yes, our efforts may be small, but that does not mean they are insignificant. God can use even the most ordinary people and actions to make a difference in someone's life. Turning the water into wine at the wedding at Cana may not be considered one of Jesus' bigger miracles; but it made a difference to the people who were present.
Meg Mangan (New South Wales, Australia)
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