Ben Franklin is credited with having said the following: “For want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost; being overtaken and slain by the enemy, all for the want of care about a horseshoe nail.”

Whether it’s little acts of kindness, little words of encouragement, little acts of unkindness or little acts of thoughtless deeds, little things play a big role in, and are a major part of, our lives. Their impact can far outweigh the size of the words or deeds.

Furthermore, “Men trip not on mountains, they stumble on stones.” Reminds me of a song we used to sing as kids in Sunday School,

“Oh be careful little hands what you do!

Oh be careful little hands what you do,

God is up above,

He is looking down in love,

So be careful little hands what you do.”

That song may sound silly, but it isn’t.

When addressing the chapel audience at Milligan College (Tenn.) social activist, Tony Campolo, after singing this song (with hand motions and all) shouted, “That song! That song ruined my dating life. You know, I’d be out there in a car and just when I’m ready to make the move, this voice from heaven says, ‘Be careful little hands, what you do.’”²

Remember it’s the little “foxes that spoil the grapes,” and it’s the little acts of kindness and love that enrich our own lives as well as the lives of those we touch.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me always to remember that it’s the everyday ‘little things’ that, added together, form the character and value (or otherwise) of my life. Help me to also remember the children’s song: ‘Be careful little hands’ (and tongue) what you do and say. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Song of Solomon 2:15 (NASB).

2. Cited on Terry Mattingly On Religion, http://tmatt.gospelcom.net/column/1999/03/03/.