For all the smallnesses
I thank You, Lord:

small children
and small needs;
small meals to cook,
small talk to heed,
and a small book
from which to read
small stories;
small hurts to heal,
small disappointments, too,
and real
as ours;
small glories
to discover
in bugs,
pebbles, flowers.

When day is through
my mind is small,
my strength is gone;
and as I gather
each dear one
I pray, “bless each
for Jesus’ sake –
such angels sleeping,
imps awake!”

What wears me out
are little things:
angels minus shining wings.
Forgive me, Lord,
if I have whined;
…it takes so much
to keep them shined;
yet each small rub
has its reward
for they have blessed me.

Thank you,
Lord.

– Ruth Bell Graham (mother of five)

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