Small and Simple Things    

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

Some suppose it is foolish and imprudent

To believe that from small and simple things

Great things can evolve nearly incandescent

Full of light, worthy of prophets and kings

We are often reminded that it is the “small and simple things” that can either bless us or curse us.  Simple but consistent acts of kindness build a character of kindness. Small but regular habits of study build a mind full of knowledge.  Because this is a universal law it operates entirely within the principles of justice and mercy. Hence, small but consistent acts that intentionally inflict harm build a character of evil. Likewise, habits of sloth and procrastination build a character that is indolent and inept.

There is ample evidence that God’s favorite and preferred method of accomplishment is by small and simple things.  As wondrous as Earth’s creation was, it was done a piece at a time, over intervals of time, and by beings who were less developed than Himself.  The creation of a mighty oak begins with, not just the little acorn, but microscopically smaller elements of molecules and atoms.

Our life’s journey is but a compilation of small and simple things repeated on a daily basis.  This truth is the focus of our meditation “Small and Simple Things” which reveals clearly how God uses such things, including us, to establish and build His kingdom.

We too, are small and simple in God’s grand design

Acorns we are to the mighty oaks in heaven above

Children of Christ, who will sanctify and refine

Children of the Father, who will teach and love

Small and Simple Things

Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.  And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.  And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls.

Book of Mormon  Alma 37:6-8

Some suppose it is foolish and imprudent

To believe that from small and simple things

Great things can evolve nearly incandescent

Full of light, worthy of prophets and kings

By little things great things are brought to pass

And oft times small means confound the wise

Seeds of faith become trees of knowledge at last

Such gifts become a precious and eternal prize

God works by small and simple means

To bring about the salvation of many souls

His method is not always what it seems

To those unskilled in the work He controls

A serpent staff, plates of brass, the testimony of a boy

At one time these all were things simple and small

But by these means came faith, knowledge and joy

By such means God redeems us from the fall

We too, are small and simple in God’s grand design

Acorns we are to the mighty oaks in heaven above

Children of Christ, who will sanctify and refine

Children of the Father, who will teach and love

Larry Doyle Crenshaw