Faithful in the small things; Remembering Mimi.

Hi everyone, welcome to another edition of the Nightcrawler Experience!

Sorry it’s been so long since my last entry, I’ve been extremely busy. I’ve got a couple ideas for future entries which should be coming out in the next few weeks.
This particular devotional is on a very somber note. My grandmother, Dorothy “Mimi” Lind, passed away this last Saturday morning at the age of 92. I’ll miss her so much, but I have no doubt that she is with Jesus at this moment. If she didn’t hear “Well done, good and faithful servant,” then no one will. This devotional entry is dedicated to her.

            One of Mimi’s last requests was for me to give the eulogy at her funeral. While I will not be relying on my gift for combining faith and pop culture there, considering what a serious occasion it is, I do have an observation in that regard that I will share here so it doesn’t go to waste.

            Shortly after I heard of her passing, there was one movie scene which I kept thinking of, from the film ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.’ For those unfamiliar with the story, there is a group of Dwarves who are planning to set out on a quest to reclaim their ancestral home and the treasures therein from an evil dragon who usurped it from them many years earlier. They seek out the help of the incredibly powerful wizard Gandalf to aid in their quest, and he in turn enlists a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo is one of the last people you’d think would be chosen for a mission like this; He’s not a warrior or an adventurer, he’s generally content to just stay in his home and live comfortably. However, he has a good heart, and soon finds his courage over the course of the journey.

            Anyway, about halfway through the film, there is a scene in which Gandalf meets with several other very powerful figures in that world. One of them asks him why he chose Bilbo for the mission, and Gandalf’s response is one I’ll never forget: “I do not know. Saruman (Another very powerful wizard) believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I’ve found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid, and he gives me courage.”

            I thought of this because “Simple acts of kindness and love” were what Mimi was known for. She was always kind and caring, always lending a hand in ordinary ways to help those who were in need. From letting my family and I stay with her the night when we were on our way to Canada, to preparing whatever we wanted for breakfast the next morning, and countless other ways of showing how deeply she cared for other people. She refused to let her age stop her from living her life to the fullest and being a servant to others.

This is what the Lord called us to do, as our own way of letting His light shine to the world. We don’t have to do large and grandiose things to impress Him and help change the world; Just demonstrating simple kindness and goodness in His name towards others and setting a good example in that regard are what He has called us to. Matthew 25:23 has the Master in Jesus’ parable of the servants and the talents telling his faithful servant that “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” Through proving to the Lord that we can do well in small, everyday things, He will often entrust us with larger and more important tasks, and give us greater rewards in Heaven. A lot of regular people helping each other through simple deeds of kindness and righteousness can indeed help change the world, though they may not know it at the time.

That’s all I have to say at the moment. Rest in peace, Mimi, you’ve earned it a hundred times over.

I’ll talk to you guys again soon, I promise. In the meantime, God bless you all!