Start Small

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.“

A climber can reach the top of the mountain preceded by the first footing. A runner being able to reach the finish line and becoming a champion also starts from a good start. Everything big starts with small things first. The large jackfruit tree that bears fruit and looks shady behind our house also comes from one small jackfruit seed. Think about it.

In the parable of the mustard seed, “It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown, it is larger than any other vegetable, even becoming a tree, so that the birds of the air come nesting on its branches.” Therefore never underestimate small things that seem simple. To be great we have to be willing to start small.

Small things start with what we have right now. What we have is the beginning of everything we will have in the future: the work or profession we live, the service entrusted to us, the talents, the possessions we have and so on. Do not let us be like a person who has one talent, who only keeps his talent in the ground and does not develop it.

Let us do faithfully whatever God gives us, so that in time, great things or unthinkable things, He will prepare for us. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 

Whatever is entrusted to us, let us do it faithfully, for this is the beginning of great things.

Do The Best And Let God Do The Rest

There is a young man who wants to gain experience from a successful entrepreneur. He went to the businessman and said, “Frankly I really want to gain experience from you so that I can succeed like you.”

Hearing the request, the businessman smiled for a moment. Then, he asked the young man to raise his hand. The young man was amazed. However, then the businessman also explained his meaning.

“Let me see your hand line. And, listen carefully to what I think of you before I give you the lesson you requested.”

After holding up his hands, the businessman said, “Look at this palm of yours. Here there are several main lines that determine fate. There is a lifeline. Then, here there is a line of sustenance and there is also a line of soul mates. Now, grasping it. Where were all the lines just now?” 

“In the palm of my hand,” replied the young man.

“It means that whatever your destiny and circumstances will be, they are within your own grasp. Work hard to get all of that. But take a look at your grip as well. Isn’t there still a line that is not grasped? The rest of the line is beyond your control. Because therein lies God’s power that we won’t be able to do, and that’s His part.”

Hold on and do your part with hard and earnest work, and bring to God the part you are incapable of.

Cultivate Good Habits

One day a wise old man walked through the woods with a notoriously irresponsible young man and a stone head.

The old man stopped in his footsteps, then pointed to a small tree and said, “Take it up.”

Immediately the young man bent down, and with just one hand he could easily pull the tree out to its roots.

After walking further, the old man stopped in front of a rather large tree. “Try uprooting this tree,” he said.

Once again the young man obeyed the old man’s orders, but this time he used both hands and with all his might pulled the tree to the roots.

Finally, they stopped back at a very large tree. “Now pull out this tree!” ordered the old man.

“That’s impossible!” protested the young man. “I can’t uproot the big tree.”

The old man replied, “You are right. Habits, whether good or bad, just like a small tree, can be uprooted very easily. Habits whose roots begin to deepen like a tree that is already rather large, to pull it out requires effort and strong energy. Long-standing habits have taken root so deeply, that the person himself cannot pull them out. Take care of yourselves so that the habits you are cultivating are good habits.”

Only One Step Away

History records that the Wright brothers were the first to successfully fly a plane. However, the two of them are not actually pioneers of aircraft research. The real pioneer of airplanes was Dr. Samuel Langley who had been researching the possibility of humans flying since 1890 (13 years before Wright flew airplanes).

Why is Dr. Samuel Langley unknown to people? Apparently, after conducting research and repeatedly failing for 13 years, Langley finally stopped his research. The decision was made by Langley on October 8, 1903 after his umpteenth attempt failed.

Did you know that just two months after Langley give up, on December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers managed to fly his plane?

It’s a pity, isn’t it? A little more patient Dr.Langley will achieve success, but unfortunately he hurriedly stopped because he could not bear to face failure.

Falling does not mean failing. Falling and not daring to get up, that is the real failure. Never despair and give up defeat. We never know that we are actually only one step away from achieving success, lest it undo just because we decide to stop early. A champion is not one who never falls, but he who always rises every time he fails. As Thomas Alfa Edison said: “Many people fail because they don’t know how close they are to success.”

We’ve all fallen, the only difference is that some give up defeat while others dare to get back up.

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”

Don’t Get Frustrated

Frustration and despair often arise when people are in very difficult situations as if there is no way out, when problems come one after another, when the burden of life feels heavy. The peak of frustration and despair is feeling bored of life, so there is an intention to end life because you feel that you don’t matter anymore.

This condition was once felt by Job! His constant suffering frustrated him: his possessions were gone, his children died, and even his beloved wife left him. Job’s misfortune was more complete, for his closest friends also moved away. That’s the world! When a person is “above” and abundant in wealth it is natural for many people to swarm him, but once he is “below” and falls into poverty, not many people want to be friends with him or abandoned by his friends, “The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.” Proverb

Having lost everything, Job became so frustrated and his frustration reached the limit, that he felt bored of life. Even Job felt regret for being born into this world: Why then did you bring me out of the womb? I wish I had died before any eye saw me?”Job 10:18

In today’s difficult times, there are many people who feel frustrated and discouraged because of the heavy pressures of life. Not even a few of them had the heart to end their lives just like Job. Never desire to end your life! No matter how hard the suffering we experience, there must be a way out. There is help, there is deliverance. So, there is hope for your future.

Blessed To Bless Others

The rainy season has lasted for two months and everywhere the trees appear to be green. A caterpillar burst out among the green leaves swaying in the wind.

“How are you green leaves?!” he said. Jolted, the green leaves turned their heads in the direction of the oncoming sound.

“Oh, you caterpillar. Your body looks small and thin. Why?” asked the green leaf.

“I barely get leaves for my food. Can you help me buddy?” said the little caterpillar.

“Sure… certainly… Come closer here.”

Green leaves think, if I give a little bit of my body to the caterpillar, I will still be green, only I will look hollow, but that’s okay.

Slowly the caterpillar moves its body towards the green leaves. After eating satiatedly, the caterpillar thanks the green leaves that have given up parts of their body to become the caterpillar’s food. When the caterpillar said thanks,there is a sense of satisfaction within the green leaf. Even though it body is now hollowing here and there, he is happy to be able to do it for the hungry little caterpillar.

Not long after that when summer came, the green leaves dried and changed color. Eventually it fell to the ground, was swept away and burned.

What is so meaningful in our lives that we are reluctant to sacrifice a little for our fellow man? After all in the end everything that is there will perish.

Good green leaves represent people who still have a “heart” for their fellow man. Who does not close his eyes when he sees his fellow man in trouble. Who does not turn his back and does not seem to hear when his fellow man cries out for help. He is willing to do something for the benefit of others and momentarily ignores his own self-interest. Giving up one’s own pleasure and self-interest for others is not easy, but it is beautiful.

When we sacrifice, we ourselves become like a hollow leaf, but it doesn’t actually affect our lives. We will stay green, God will still bless and nurture us.

For the “green leaf”, sacrifice is impressive and feels beautiful and satisfying. It was happy to see that the fellow creation of God could smile because of the sacrifices it made. It also did so because it realized that it would not forever stay as a green leaf. One day it will dry up and fall.

Such is our life, this life is only temporary and then we will die. That is why fill this life with good works: love, sacrifice, understanding, faithfulness, patience and humility. Make sacrifice fun and bring us joy.

In many ways we can sacrifice. Put the interests of others first, do things for them, give what we have and many more sacrifices can be made. Let’s not forget that we once received an incomparable sacrifice from our Creator until we could be saved as we are today.

It’s Not Too Late

Marjorie Newlin, 72, was shopping at the supermarket. At that time there was a sale so he bought about 25 kg of cat food for his pet.

As a widow trying to live independently, she felt annoyed because she was tired of lifting her groceries. Since then he decided to join a fitness club near his home in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, United States.

Richard Brown, trainer at Rivers Gym fitness was amused to see this grandmother who already has 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren start to follow the exercise. But this old grandmother diligently practiced day after day, week after week until for a year. Until then this grandmother managed to lift a weight of about 50 kg and her body had a shape like a person practicing body building.

Encouraged by fitness trainers, Marjorie participated in the Body Building Amateur Athletic Union competition which was open to the public. Actually, she felt uncomfortable when competing, because she had to wear a bikini like a bodybuilder. However, long story short, she managed to become the champion for the category over 45 years old. The audience was hysterical when it was announced that the winner was 74 years old.

That’s just the beginning. After that, She participated in many competitions that took him to Italy, Germany, and France. She has collected 40 trophies and many award certificates.

Marjorie is now gone. However, she has inspired many that perseverance can lead to achievement and that age is not a barrier to achievement.

Smile For You

Did you know that smiling is contagious?
Accepting it is like having the flu.

Today someone smiled at me,
And I smiled back too.

In the corner of the room someone saw me smiling,
And he started smiling too.

I realized that smiles can be transmitted…

Then I thought about and measured my smile.
A unique smile, like mine,
can spread all over the world.

So, if you feel like smiling,
Don’t try to stop it.

Let us begin spreading the plague of smiles right now,
to affect the whole world!

Keep smiling…

After all, doesn’t everyone need a smile?

Reflect On Yourself

When two mirrors face each other, an infinite reflection appears. That’s how it is if you want to reflect on yourself. You will find infinite shadows. The shadow is an extraordinary ability: infinity that gives the power to break through the limits of one’s obstacles.

Reflect on yourself, and discover that strength. Put away the mirror of others. There are only visible shortcomings and weaknesses that will foster dissatisfaction only. And this will plunge you into the abyss of disappointment.

You are not someone else. You are you who have your own path of success. Start today by looking yourself in the face. Look for that infinite shadow. There is a force that will take you to the pinnacle of success.

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.”

Before You Complain…

Today… before you complain about the taste of your food,
Think about someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about having nothing,
Think about someone who has to beg on the streets.

Before you complain that you are doing badly,
Think about someone who is at the worst level in his life.

Before you complain about your partner,
Think about someone who asked God for a life partner.

Before you complain about the fate of your life,
Think about someone who died too soon.

Before you complain about your children,
Think about someone who desperately wants to have children but is infertile.

Before you complain about the distance you have driven,
Think about someone who travels the same distance as walking.

When you’re tired and complaining about your work,
Think about the unemployed looking for a job like you.

Before you point your index finger to blame others,
Think about your other three fingers are pointing at you and there is no one who never makes mistakes.

If you are able to think before you complain, then when you are grieving and your life is in trouble, you can still thank God that you are still given life.