The Little Things
“She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak and immediately her bleeding stopped.” Luke 8:44 NIV
The little things can really affect us in both negative and positive ways. How can a tooth so small give us so much pain? When you stub your toe, it really hurts. The appendix is such a small component of our body, but it can really cause a big problem. What about a button in the middle of your shirt? If that small button falls off, well you must do something about it. M&Ms are so yummy but so small. A small cup of good coffee can be so relaxing. The smell of the top of a baby’s head is so divine. Finding money in the pocket of an old coat is like winning the lottery that day.
All these little things can make your day or wreak havoc. The best thing about it is that you get to decide which it is because God can make wonder out of the little. Small things are repeated through the bible with God at work turning them into Big.
The story of the “bleeding woman” is in Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34 and Luke 8:43-48. It is a small story that came about in the middle of Jesus’s walk to heal Jairus’s daughter. It was an interruption. Something that Jesus didn’t expect in his route with the crowd around him. The bleeding, unclean woman went through the crowd that she shouldn’t even be in. She had enough faith to “sneak” a miracle out of Jesus.
She isn’t a main biblical person. We don’t know her life after the miracle. Her story is defined by twelve years of bleeding and her moment with Jesus in the crowd. She is a small character that has big relevance. She isn’t named, we don’t know who she is, but we do know her faith. Some versions explain she only had to touch his tassel, some say edge of his cloak and others say hem of his garment.
All versions describe the small. She did not need his robe. She didn’t need to place both hands on his cloak or even touch his skin. She didn’t need to jump on his back and beg for a miracle. She only needed the small portion and that was enough to change everything.
The little things do matter to God. When little things don’t feel enough, don’t underestimate what God can do. Little faith stopped Jesus in his tracks. A person without a name stole Jesus’s attention.
Life has its highlight reels of big moments, but most of life is built with small Lego pieces of detailed decisions. Small steps eventually add up. Little prayers, little effort, little understanding with action gets God’s attention. Stay consistent and God may sneak up on you with the blessing you need. God likes a trier.
If you have doubt about the little… ask David with his pebble, ask the boy with the loaves and fish, look at a mustard seed or insert your name in the “bleeding woman’s” story. Search for Jesus during the day like walking desperately through the crowd, put your hand out for his tassel and wait expectantly for the big God can do.
Reflection: What little things can you add to your day to walk closer with God? What would help you to stay consistent? Look back at the little that made the big moments play out in your life.
Prayer: Thank you Lord, for being with me through the small things and the big. Thank you for adding up the small to bring about the change I needed. Help me to stay consistent with our relationship and do the things that bring me closer to you. Remind me that nothing is too small for your power. Praise be to the 3:1.
Keep Praying,
Lesley Henry