Have you ever stopped to think about all the LITTLE THINGS that can throw up roadblocks to our happiness?

• Stub a toe
• That annoying contact lens rolling into the back of your eye
• SWEET preschooler practicing her ‘logo’ on the windows of your car with her smuggled crayon
• The afore-mentioned smuggled crayon ‘forgotten’ in her jeans pocket, but discovered AFTER they were washed (and dried)
• car sickness
• SURPRISE trip to the ER

The list goes on… Well, every one of these irritants are the direct result of a BROKEN WORLD (see Genesis 3 & Romans 8:19-30 ).  They are SIGN POSTS that things are NOT RIGHT.  HOSPITALITY answers life’s little irritations with life’s little blessings!  If sin can annoy us, God can use little things to LIFT US.  That’s why I believe that there’s power in the little things for good, because we all recognize the power of the little things for bad.

LESSON #2: HOSPITALITY is all about the LITTLE THINGS

So when we went to our hotel room after eating with new friends, we were greeted with 2 gift baskets filled with little things we loved… and I was SHOCKED to find GREEN TEA in the fridge in the room!  Can you see the smile on my face?  Thanks for the little things… they really do bless us!  

Have you ever had one of those DEFINING MOMENTS that could have passed you by?  I had a subtle reminder of the power of teamwork leading up to the Easter weekend 2008.

Due to the amazing growth in our preschool age group, we determined we needed to add another ‘yard’ beginning the Easter weekend (a ‘yard’ is like a class space, but open and surrounded by murals and fencing to create an open atmosphere for experiencing God… see pic below!).  Before the fence was installed, I noticed some of the panels were chipped.  I notified Eric (our kid’s main-main) about the fence over lunch.  Eric’s response: “Yes, I noticed that too… I’m on it!”  I loved that response.  Then, Trey (who was also at lunch) told me how he had been with Eric while EVERY one of our staff made the same observation about the fencing… And, Eric gave the same response each time!

LEADERSHIP LESSONS A-PLENTY:

First of all, the entire team felt the freedom to inspect each other’s area without TURFISM.  That’s huge.  Eric wasn’t defensive.  Also, he gave the same kind, patient response each time.

I truly believe it’s the small things that make all the difference… I’m so grateful for these subtle, defining moments!