Small Stuff—Big Consequences

While I was visiting my friend, we went for a walk.

We pulled up in front of the park and nature preserve and then proceeded along the gravel path at the beginning of the trail. The wind was brisk, the sky was a soothing blue with a sprinkling of fluffy clouds, and the branches of the trees waved gently, greeting us as we passed by. The conversation flowed freely at the beginning.

We admired the changing colors of the leaves, the flowers that were still blooming in the fall, and the scenic view of the Manhattan skyline in the distance.

As we climbed the inclines, our breathing quickened, and the dialogue decreased. We were about two-thirds of the way and going down some hewn steps in the slope when my friend turned and asked if there was gravel in my shoes.

Surprised, I asked how she knew.

“I have some in my sneaker,” she replied.

At the bottom of the hill, we sat down on a wooden bench, took off our shoes, and cleared them of all the grit. As I shook my shoe, I thought about how these tiny particles were so abrasive that they caused extreme discomfort as we walked.

Once they were removed from our shoes, the walk became pleasurable again. The Holy Spirit brought to my mind the similarity between the grit in my shoes and the “small” sins we so often unthinkingly harbor—the little white lies, stubbornness (pride), and impatience (self-centeredness). By its very nature, small sins morph into big sins, distorting one’s thought processes, eliminating godly perception, and eventually knocking us off the path of righteousness. Sin, all sin, separates us from God and, in the end, will cause us to lose eternal life with Him. There are consequences for every action.

Eternal loss is certainly too big a consequence to pay for “small stuff.” O heavenly Father, may we never give room in our lives to any sin.

Strengthen us to always reflect the fruit of the Spirit and the character of Jesus Christ.

Florence E. Callender