Introduction to The Days of Small Things

"For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel- these are the eyes of the Lord which range to and fro throughout the earth" Zechariah 4:10 NASB

This verse has always stood out and intrigued me for a variety of reasons. I love small things. They make such a difference in day to day life. They add up to make large things. They are the building blocks to joy or sorrow. They empower or break down and they are not to be discounted or go unappreciated. Even as you the reader "hear" these words in your conscious understanding, you are at an extremely fast pace, building concepts and communion by unconsciously putting together small little symbolic marks on a page and creating meaning from them. These small little bits of bytes. And even those go smaller, though quantum physics theory does make the point that there is not an infinitely small possibility. But then science changes it's mind all the time, so who knows but GOD? For the sake of our conversation, we will stay for now with the knowable small things.

My first question when pondering the miracle of small things - What are the smallest known things in the universe? Quarks? Funny I think, that mankind has given such an ignobly sounding name to this amazing detectable bit of energy. There are other theories... String Theory being one, and I am not learned enough to even attempt an explanation, but spanning back out away from the complicated yet paradoxically simple understanding of quantum and particle physics, we know at least that quarks appear to be the building blocks of protons and neutrons, and protons and neutrons make up the nuclei of atoms. Now I gaze out my window at the green grasses, the magenta lilies, the flowing reflective sapphire river and the ever changing billows of white grey clouds. This matter around us.... all consists of small things. Even the eyes that perceive and the mind that conceives... Such a moment.

So why write about small things? Because they matter. (pun intended)

For the past year I have been noticing with much dismay, that everyone seems to be in such a hurry. We hurry on the road, and get frustrated or angry when the person or persons in front of us isn't moving at a pace we deem more to our personal need. We stand in line at the grocery store, commenting under our breath..."I always (be very careful with that word always) choose the slowest line!" and lose patience with the person in front of us fumbling with their cash or card. We race through our work days. Sometimes we hurry through conversations, not really listening, or contemplating what is being communicated. We speed through a meal preparation and/or consumption. Even as I write now, my mind is racing at times to consider tasks I'll have to conquer later today. I am writing on a new computer and the action on the keyboard is quite slow. For a moment I find myself frustrated at having to slow down and ensure that what is write is what I want to "say".

Funny how the "universe" conspires at times to get us to align our actions with our thoughts.

What do we achieve for all of our efforts to manipulate the passing of time? Is time a valid construct or an illusion necessary to life on this planet now? What do we miss when we fail to slow down and take in the NOW small things? These questions, ruminations, contemplations and at times prayers, are why I thus felt compelled to write about The Small Things. The things that allow us to slow down. The things that give us pause, or joy, or facilitate a deeper understanding of how to cherish our moments on this earth planet. When we speed through life, the only thing we accomplish is a quicker arrival at the end. That seems to me a very unwise use of what is, for our mortal bodies, a finite gift. Oh I know that life is infinite. But any singular bodily existence is most certainly limited. The Connie Kimble who is now, will end at a set point. That does not frighten me or sadden me. I simply have peace with the knowledge that this particular preset journey will come to an end. Though I've muffed a lot of my time on earth seeking after things that had no real value, yet delivered consequences... I now have a desire to choose a path that is deliberate, observant, and appreciative of the small things.

I hope you'll join me.