It's the Little Things

So often, much of what I share here at the Burnsland website is something seemingly big. A cruise, trips through Kansas, big life events such as a wedding or graduation (did you notice that I had two different links in that one word?). But despite all of the posts and photos I share from those things, those are just a little bit of what we actually do.

Contrary to how it might look we are not always off on a trip to some exotic location like Jamaica, or even Kansas. We spend much more time at work or at home than we do in all of those places. And home life is pretty nice, too, even if it does not get as much attention sometimes.

Too often, we overlook the little things, as we might call them, focusing on the so-called big things. But the little things can be just as good. So why not share some of them, too?

Dinner with Good People

On a recent Saturday, we were out on the front porch installing this year’s outdoor Christmas display. As we were working, we got a text that said, “Hey! Want to meet for Mexican?” And we immediately replied, “Sure! What time?” Of course, I should probably add that the text came from Karen and Brant and not from a random number that we did not recognize. If that were the case, our answer might have been different. But since we knew who it was from, how could we say no to someone wanting to spend time with us?

So we met, we talked, we ate, we talked some more, and then we talked some more after that. No matter how much time we spend together, we never run out of things to talk about. That is how well we get along. Sorry, people who were waiting for us to leave so that they could get a table. We just had lots to talk about.

When the time came to leave, we went outside and took a group photo, just for good measure.

And then we got together the next night after church and ate together and talked some more. Because that is what we do.

It might seem like a little thing to get together with friends. But that is a big thing to me. I will never get tired of it.

Table Decorations

Earlier that same day, we had gone to the church building so that Laura could decorate a table. Each year, our church hosts a Christmas lunch for our widows and widowers, and several of the ladies decorate the tables with their own dishes, silverware, and decorations.

This was Laura’s table. I should have taken a better photo to show more of the centerpiece things. Oops. But I thought it turned out well, as it does every year when she decorates a table.

The next day, we got to join in on the dinner, as did everyone who had decorated a table. It was a great meal and a great time together. And each of the widows and widowers was given a gift from someone in the congregation, too. It was a great occasion to show some attention. And who knows, it might have been a big thing to someone who would have otherwise gone home to eat lunch by themselves.

I know everyone I talked to there had a good time, and we all had a good meal, too. As always, I was glad that we went. It might seem like a little thing, but it was all good.

Don’t let the big things that everyone talks about (even me) make you think that other things aren’t important, too. Because those little things can make a big difference!

“Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and devouring insect destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and devouring insect do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 6:19-21

About the Photos

These photos were just quick photos taken with my phone. In neither circumstance did I have my camera with me. And that is just fine. Because these phone photos capture the moment just fine, too. Use what you have at the moment, and it will be just fine.