“Oh, but it is a big deal!” I replied. I had recently found out that my friend was moving out of state. A few days later, she handed me a gift bag while volunteering with me at church. “This is your Christmas gift from me. You can open it now or you can wait until Christmas.” Though it was only August, I chose to open it while my friend was still here.
Inside was a colorful, handmade scarf. “It’s beautiful! You’re going to make me cry! Thank you so much!” I exclaimed.
“It’s no big deal,” she replied.
“Oh, but it is a big deal!” I responded as she walked away.
What my friend didn’t know is that I didn’t feel well that morning but had made myself leave the house. She had no idea of the struggles I had before walking out the door. She had no clue that I really love when someone gives me a scarf or blanket.
When I wrap myself up in a scarf or blanket I’ve been given, I think of the person who gave it to me and I feel like I am wrapped up in a big hug from them. It makes me feel special, it makes me feel loved, and it is a big deal to me.
It’s also a big deal to me that someone took the time to choose the perfect colors and to crochet so many stitches…for me! This particular scarf is made of many different colors, meaning my friend purchased multiple skeins of yarn. Then she used one color for many, many stitches before switching colors several more times to create a beautiful and colorful pattern.
It’s not a big deal? Maybe crocheting is easy for my friend, but I am unable to crochet (except for the one giant granny square I made into a blanket but no longer remember how). Maybe my friend enjoys crocheting and passing the time creating scarves and blankets. Still, she used that time for me.
There is no doubt in my mind that this scarf was created with love. The gift was an act of kindness. I didn’t do anything to deserve it; I was totally surprised, and it is a big deal to me.
We do not always know the impact that our seemingly small acts of kindness may truly have on the recipient, but God has a way of working through His people to bless others. When we help someone with a flat tire, explain how to work an algebraic equation, take someone a meal, make a gift, send a card, listen over the phone… it may seem like a small offering to us. It may even seem to us like, “It’s no big deal,” but sometimes for the recipient, “It is a big deal.”
We can never be totally aware of everything that is happening in a person’s life. We may not know all of their struggles. But God knows, and God can take our seemingly small offerings to show others they are loved. Sometimes, He even uses those offerings as a way to show someone that He hears them, He sees them and He loves them.
So, keep extending kindness. Reach out a helping hand. Continue letting God pour His love through you. Somebody needs to know you care. Somebody needs to know He cares. And to somebody, “It is a big deal.”