Little by Little

I continue to feel like I face a mountain of things to do.  Most days I chip away at the mountain, and just do what I can.  But some days the mountain seems to loom over me in such a way that it feels impossible.  On one such day I read an old devotional from "Our Daily Bread" that encouraged me.

A little boy with a small shovel was trying to clear a path of deep snow in front of his house.  A man came by and asked how someone as small as him could expect to complete such a big task.  The boy looked with confidence at the man and said "little by little, that's how!"

I love that story.  It encourages me to tackle my "mountain" the same way - little by little.  Doing what I can, when I can - little by little - is a strategy for victory!

This was an important reminder for me when I hurt my back a few days ago.  I was stopped in my tracks by the pain.  My first response was to think of it as such a big setback......but then I was reminded of the little by little.  Whatever the "little" was for the day, that's all I had to do.  The discouragement I was feeling because of the setback was lifted, and I carried on.

Lessons like this seem "little" in themselves, but I find them so important in persevering.  I'm so grateful for how God speaks to me through them.

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

"If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible with you."  Matthew 17:20

"For nothing will be impossible with God."  Luke 1:37 

I keep thinking of the 5 loaves and 2 fish and how God took the "little" and fed a multitude.  God can take my "little" and work miracles and great things!  I trust Him for that. 

During the years that Floyd was hospitalized, I would stand by his bed and remind him that even though he was in a season of silence his "voice" was still being heard.  I would share testimonies of that with him.  Sometimes he shed a few tears.  Other times he gently smiled.  Often he just listened intently and would try to make sounds to speak.  I know it encouraged him - and it was true.  His "voice" of things he had ministered was ongoing.

Mary Ho, our All Nations International Executive leader, recently visited Malawi.  Several of the leaders there mentioned how Floyd had mentored them, and they were carrying on with what he had taught them.  It was so encouraging to hear this and reminded me again that Floyd's "voice" is still being heard.  I quote below a portion of Mary’s update letter: 

“…but what touched me the most is how it all started…  
Years ago, Rebman, one of our Malawian pioneer leaders, had come to Cape Town seeking work and was living in a cramped shack in the poor Masiphumelele township. He shared how our towering (6 foot 6”) All Nations Founder Floyd McClung would visit him every two days and disciple him. “Papa Floyd would squeeze in and sit on the floor just like us. He understood our African hearts. And he would always wash his own cup before he leaves,” shared Oliver and Rhoda, our very first Malawian pioneer leaders. Rebman knew that he needed to take back to Malawi what Floyd had imparted to him.”

These testimonies speak loud and clear to me of God's goodness and faithfulness.  I was reminded afresh that sometimes the answers to our prayers take time.  We can't give up hope if we don't see immediate answers.  I wish we could see all the ways God is working to answer our prayers.  I think we would be amazed!!

"He is the Rock; His deeds are perfect.  Everything He does is just and fair.  He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright He is!"  Deuteronomy 32:4

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful."  Hebrews 10:23

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."  Psalm 25:4,5

"I have set the Lord always before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."  Psalm 16:8

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11 

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."  Psalm 143:8

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."  Hebrews 11:1

I am so grateful to the Lord.  He is mindful of every prayer we pray!!  And He is working on our behalf to answer those prayers.  He is so faithful.