change the world (II)

Some more thoughts. . .to go with my note change the world.

Part of what has been causing me to ponder this lately is that in a far away country there has been an incredible change. For weeks my roommate and I would watch the drama unfold on the news. What started as a small group of young people insisting that their government listen to them became a group of hundreds of thousands of people camping out and protesting, demanding that they be given their rights. They succeeded. Their ruler stepped down, and they will be given a chance to form the government that they want.

As I thought about that, I was awed at the change that was happening. In such a short time period, the world changed so dramatically. The world gets so excited when we see these big changes. We can see the change, and we are awed.

But my next thought was what about the little changes, what about the ones that we don't see? Aren't those changes just as important as the big ones? What about the man who just takes the 27 seconds to fill the ice cube tray instead of arguing with his wife about who should fill up the ice cube tray? What about a roommate who does the dishes instead of leaving them for the other roommate to do? What about the one who chooses to hold their tongue instead of always having to give an excuse for something? What about the one who chooses humility instead of pride?

Are these not changes that should be celebrated? Are these not actually changing the world?

I think we always think that the only way to change the world is through the big actions, through the dictators who are toppled, through the wars that are ended, through the massive movements that change the lives of others. But honestly, I think that it is the little changes that makes the biggest difference.

I know that the things that have affected my life the most are the little things. That person who took the time to listen to me when I really needed to talk. The friend who gave me a shoulder to cry on. The woman who took the time to show me how to have a walk with God. Nothing is too small to make a difference, and it is in our overlooking that that we miss out on making the biggest changes that the world needs.

Comments

  1. Erin Wallace17 February, 2011

    The last paragraph is beautiful - these little things are what makes life wonderful.

    When I was in high school the Berlin Wall came down. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. Seeing old regimes fall and freedom come to others is an incredibly powerful thing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hannah Elizabeth17 February, 2011

    :-) I like this. It's like A Christmas Carol. In order to change Victorian England, people must first change themselves for the better.

    I love you. Coffee was lovely. Again soon!

    ReplyDelete

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