I have started to notice - I know, some what late in life, just how important the small things are. They are obviously not all that matters, but there is little point in getting the big things right and forgetting about the little things.
Today I got a phone call from the campsite we will (hopefully) be staying at for our summer holiday. They just called to say they had received our deposit cheque. Nice touch, and I am already looking forward to the holiday a little bit more because of that. It also tells me that the site is run by people who are interested in other people. A good sign, because if something does go wrong, they are more likely to put it right.
My local Spar shop also told me about an offer on Mars bars. In stead of 50 p each, I could buy four for £1. Now I probably buy more Mars bars than are good for me, but when I do pop in for one I will often pick up something else. So buying four for half the price I would normally pay not only means I save some money, but I will not go to the shop as often. Poor practice? I think not, it means I feel better about the shop.
I like these touches. It is the reason I use Ocado - I like the text reminder and their drivers have always been courteous. Checking I am all right and treating me as a person rather than a number or somebody who should be treated with scepticism. The Co-op Bank are, in my experience, also good at this. In fact, most companies I deal with are like this because I stop dealing with those who are not.
I liked standing in Argos, a couple of years ago, watching them deal with a lady who was returning some products. It was obviously causing a bit of a stir and the manager came to deal with it. Shortly, the lady left with gift vouchers and a smile. The manager then served me, apologising for the delay. I enquired what the problem was, to be told, simply, she was returning a product Argos did not sell. Yet they gave her vouchers.
So, now that I have realised just how important these touches are, I must make more effort to do it myself. It is all too easy to slip into the situation where I am too busy, got too much on. And the small touches disappear; yet if they are important to me, maybe they are important to others.
So, I will try.
'Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.' Mother Teresa
Jesus said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." (Mark4: 30-32, NIV)
footnote:
I realise that if small things matter for the good, they must also be bad. Small sins (is there such a thing?) must be as destructive as small acts of kindness can work for good.
Amazing people - make you feel humble
Earlier today we passed, on the road past Whetstone tip, a man running with a washing machine strapped to his back. At first sight, as we appraoched from behind, I wondered whether it was somebody without a car doing the decent thing, and taking it to the tip. But as we approached I noticed the sign 'Help for heroes' on his back.
Bless, the chap was exhausted and I felt pretty humble when we stopped the car to find out what he was doing. Training for a marathon in October which he intends to run carrying this washing machine on his back. Now running a marathon is pretty amazing (I always use the excuse of poor knees to get out of any running) but anything like this is either ridiculous or amazing - or both.
He is raising money for the charity Help for Heroes, which supports service men and women who are injured during service. You can find more at www.helpforhereos.org.uk
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