Little Things Make a Huge Difference

Many of you that read this blog also read Allison’s blog. A few days ago she had a post about our pastor, Mark Marshall, and the message from Sunday. I have the same feelings that she does about the sermon, it was great, but they come from a different point of view. That point of view is a man’s point of view. Now that is not to say that mine is better or worse, it is just different and I think Mark was really trying to hammer home the importance of men and their roles in church, at home, and everywhere else they show up in this world.

Yesterday Mark had a great post on his blog as a follow-up on his message from Sunday. As I was reading his post I noticed that he reads the blog of the CEO from Thomas Nelson Publishing, Michael Hyatt. I clicked on the link and found a fascinating post discussing a new book about Barack Obama’s faith. On his blog is a listing of his twitter account and on there was something about his unhappiness regarding his stay at the Hyatt Regency Hotel over the weekend. Intrigued I went back to his blog today and is was not just about a terrible stay at a hotel, but it was about how every decision we make, large or small, can make a very large impact on things around us.

This reminded me of Mark’s message, Allison’s blog post, and Mark’s blog post. So with a not-so-slight urging of God I have really been thinking about the decisions I make and how they relate to various things in my life such as Cooper, Allison, my job, etc. It has also made me even more aware of the fact that Cooper is a little sponge.

This has never been more evident than over the last few days and weeks. Cooper will now repeat anything you ask him to or anything you say and don’t ask him to repeat. For instance, the other day we were running behind schedule to leave the house and I realized I forgot to grab Cooper’s shoes. While holding Cooper, I said very quietly and under my breath “crap.” For the next 15 seconds Cooper said “trap” over and over again. He hasn’t said it since then, but this is a simple yet powerful reminder and indication of how big of an influence we are on people, especially young people.


Thinking back on Mark’s message, I wonder what kind of an influence I am on people. Do I reflect Christ in the things that I do and say? Do people look at me and think, “He’s a Christian?” This lesson could not come at a better time for me. Especially because of the little one that I am trying to mold into a strong Christian man that is willing to step out and lead. If any of you see me and think, “I don’t think that’s the way a man trying to be a Christian leader should act” please let me know. I always welcome people to hold me accountable when it comes to what I say I believe and stand for.