(Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)I sure have enjoyed the Olympics these past weeks. Many of the stories are inspirational and encouraging. We see the story of life portrayed in the ups and downs, the striving, the unexpected twists and turns, and even the grit in picking one self up and continuing.One neat aspect this year is the emphasis on the parent support, especially mothers. Proctor and Gamble produced this commercial honoring all that moms do to help their children succeed. It brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it.Reminds me to express my thanks and be grateful for those behind the scenes. The teacher that comes in three weeks early before school starts to get her classroom ready and to write welcoming notes for her students. The man who walks the pews after church straightening up the mess left behind by others. People who pray for strangers and give to food banks.  So many everyday Olympians.I saw a video few months ago of Olympic Gold Medalist and figure … [Read more...]

Do small things matter to God?We live in a world where everything is supersized and maximum strength. We see airbrushed models as real. We ask what went wrong when someone gets a silver medal in the Olympics instead of gold or a student earns a B+ instead of an A.  So often I feel I am not enough. My gifts are too small and insignificant to make any difference. My failure to live up to my expectations and the internal voices telling me what I “should” be doing block me from growing closer to God and from following His will. I focus more on what I lack instead of focusing on who God is.  I really needed to hear the gospel lesson this week.I listened to familiar story read on Sunday morning. Jesus gave thanks for the young boy’s small gift of five loaves and two fish and then the entire crowd had more than enough to eat.More than enough. It started with an unnamed, small boy, barely noticeably in the huge crowd. The scripture isn’t even clear if he voluntarily offered his lunch or if the … [Read more...]