June 30, 2021: Little Things Matter Too

“Diligent work gets a commendation; shiftless work earns an angry rebuke” (Prov. 14:35, MSG).

During my junior year of college, I applied for a job as a laborer for a man who owned several businesses and needed help around his house. He lived just outside of the college campus and was within walking distance. I enjoyed working for him, and he liked and appreciated my work ethic.

In late spring, he asked if I wanted to work for him at his hotel in Ocean City, Md. I was stunned and overjoyed! What a dream job! I worked hard that summer. But one thing I didn’t do well was my personal housework. I was tired from the long days and hours and procrastinated on my chores.

One day, my employer did a surprise inspection of the apartment where he had allowed me to stay. He found the floor unvacuumed and a week’s worth of dishes piled in the sink. He saw the mess and called me to the apartment. He was disappointed that I thought so little of his property that I would treat it like this. He sternly told me: “Clean up this place on your own time now, and don’t let it get like this again!”

His words cut like a knife; I had never felt so ashamed. I had taken so much pride in doing my other work but neglected the little things that mattered as well. From that time on, I vowed to remember that little things matter too.

God expects us to be good stewards in all that we do—the large tasks as well as the little ones!

Dear Father, may I work in such a way that I bring honor to You in all I do. Amen.

George Dutton is a member of the Kettering church in Ohio.