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. "SMALL THINGS". "…carelessness in small things leads little by little to ruin." (From Eccus 19:1 NEB). 'Look not after great things: small breathings, small desires after the Lord, if true and pure, are sweet beginnings of life. Take heed of despising 'the day of small things', by looking after some great visitation... Nay, you must become a child; you must lose your own will quite by degrees. You must wait for life to be measured out by the Father, and be content with what proportion, and at what time, He shall please to measure.' (I. Penington). 'Nothing is small or great in God's sight; whatever He wills becomes great to us, however seemingly trifling, and if once the voice of conscience tells us that He requires anything of us, we have no right to measure its importance. On the other hand, whatever He would not have us do, however important we may think it, is as nought to us. How do you know what you may lose by neglecting this duty, which you think so trifling, or the blessing which its faithful performance may bring? Be sure that if you do your very best in that which is laid upon you daily, you will not be left without sufficient help when some weightier occasion arises. Give yourself to Him, trust Him, fix your eye upon Him, listen to His voice, and then go on bravely and cheerfully.' (J. N. Grou). 'We are too fond of our own will. We want to be doing what we fancy mighty things; but the great point is, to do small things, when called to them, in a right spirit.' (R. Cecil).
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