Size doesn’t matter:Don’t judge a book…:It’s what’s inside that counts

It was one of those storms that appears out of nowhere and lets everyone know it has arrived by shaking and rattling everything in sight.  Now, normally I love a good lighting and thunder storm.  The power and beauty displayed is breathtaking.  But this time I was in the middle of making supper with my son, and you can’t add the right amount of flour to the pizza dough if you can’t see to measure.

Within minutes (it seemed like seconds) of the storms appearance, the power was knocked out.  Thus, I reached for my monster size, manly flashlight to light up the room so we could finish our dough making.  I pushed the button and nothing happened.  I checked to make sure there were batteries inside.  They were all in there but had insufficient power to cause it to light.  As soon as my son saw that my light was dead he offered his.  He pulled out a tiny, key chain size flashlight.  At first I laughed and said, “Thanks Bud, but I don’t think that’ll do for us.  He pushed the button anyway.  In an instant our work area went from near pitch black to adequately illumined to finish our task.

After we/I finished making the dough and started putting the toppings on, he asked if I could hold the light so he could put some toppings on his pizza.  I agreed and stood there quietly holding the light for him and pondering what had just happened.

Though somewhat eclectic, here are some of my thoughts from this encounter:

Just because something looks right and perfect from the outside doesn’t mean it’s fit to complete the task at hand.

• Regardless of your size or perceived inability, do your best to meet the needs around you with what you have to offer.  You just might save the day for someone.
• I need to establish a routine that will help me maintain the energy to fulfill my purpose.  Every outflow of energy requires a time of recharging, replenishing those resources expended in order to be ready for the next assignment.
• Don’t be afraid to share your resources with others.  In sharing your resources with others you build a network of resources that in time, may serve you when your energy is low.
• Helping others complete their tasks build relationship, trust and comradery, all “relational currency” for future ventures together.
• Don’t discount or belittle those with smaller or lesser resources.  They may just be what’s needed to save the day sometime.
• Have a back-up plan. Contingency planning is wise.  It may be the difference between experiencing delightful nourishment and stomach turning frustration.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for or receive help from apparently smaller, less capable individuals.  Appearances are often deceiving (look at your dead monster light).
• Thinking outside your normal parameters and encouraging others to do likewise is a fruitful endeavor.
• My son is awesome!

That’s it for now. You probably can come up with some more.  Let me know your thoughts.