Less is More
Gospel of Mark, Chapter 4, Verses 30-32
And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
Growing up as kids, we always wanted the best toys and gifts. As teenagers, we wanted the best clothes and the coolest vehicle. As young adults, we wanted more money for less work. But as I have aged, I realized that having more isn’t what it is all cracked up to be, especially looking back on it. The great toys seems to always cause a fight with my brothers. The great clothes as a teenagers always seemed to end up in my brother’s closet or dresser (which caused another fight). More money seems to cause more bills to appear and the money would eventually run out.
I remember growing up, there was a sweet older lady, Ms Mary Norlin, that lived in one of my father’s rental houses. She was a widow and had very little but she was always so nice, kind and very thankful for everything she had. I don’t think Dad ever charged her rent. Anyway, every Halloween, Mom would take us around to the neighbors and they would load us down with all the candy, treats & things a young trick or treater could ask for. And we knew the last stop would always be at Ms Norlin’s house. Now, Mom would always tell us before getting out of the van to remember our manners & don’t be selfish about what she gave us. Each year, she would give each of us the following: Paper towels, small tube of tooth paste & homemade candy apples. I was somewhat disappointed in what I had received and I knew my siblings were as well, but we obeyed Mom and acted gracious. We gave Ms Mary a big hug as Mom would direct and loaded back up in the van. Once we got home, we unloaded the loot and the fighting would commence. We (the brothers) would fight over the candy, treats & small toys, but we never fought over the paper towels, toothpaste or candy apples from Ms Mary.
Looking back now, I could not tell you which neighbor gave us what candy, treats or toys. But what I can tell you is this: The gifts that Ms Mary gave us is something I will remember forever. Things that we could use on a daily basis and that would last more than a few days. She did not have a lot, but she gave us just about everything she had. Mom told us years later that we were about the only kids she saw during the holidays and she loved us so much that she would give us (the ungrateful heathens) just about everything she had.
I miss Ms Mary Norlin. The valuable lesson that she taught me is the same as what our Savior teaches us in the Good Book!
It always seems that the little things seem to have the biggest impact. A kind word or gesture can go a long long way! LESS IS MORE! Like the mustard seed!
So, be thankful for what God has given us and do not covet. Because wanting more does not always lead to more happiness.
May you have a blessed day!
Will Ross
And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
Growing up as kids, we always wanted the best toys and gifts. As teenagers, we wanted the best clothes and the coolest vehicle. As young adults, we wanted more money for less work. But as I have aged, I realized that having more isn’t what it is all cracked up to be, especially looking back on it. The great toys seems to always cause a fight with my brothers. The great clothes as a teenagers always seemed to end up in my brother’s closet or dresser (which caused another fight). More money seems to cause more bills to appear and the money would eventually run out.
I remember growing up, there was a sweet older lady, Ms Mary Norlin, that lived in one of my father’s rental houses. She was a widow and had very little but she was always so nice, kind and very thankful for everything she had. I don’t think Dad ever charged her rent. Anyway, every Halloween, Mom would take us around to the neighbors and they would load us down with all the candy, treats & things a young trick or treater could ask for. And we knew the last stop would always be at Ms Norlin’s house. Now, Mom would always tell us before getting out of the van to remember our manners & don’t be selfish about what she gave us. Each year, she would give each of us the following: Paper towels, small tube of tooth paste & homemade candy apples. I was somewhat disappointed in what I had received and I knew my siblings were as well, but we obeyed Mom and acted gracious. We gave Ms Mary a big hug as Mom would direct and loaded back up in the van. Once we got home, we unloaded the loot and the fighting would commence. We (the brothers) would fight over the candy, treats & small toys, but we never fought over the paper towels, toothpaste or candy apples from Ms Mary.
Looking back now, I could not tell you which neighbor gave us what candy, treats or toys. But what I can tell you is this: The gifts that Ms Mary gave us is something I will remember forever. Things that we could use on a daily basis and that would last more than a few days. She did not have a lot, but she gave us just about everything she had. Mom told us years later that we were about the only kids she saw during the holidays and she loved us so much that she would give us (the ungrateful heathens) just about everything she had.
I miss Ms Mary Norlin. The valuable lesson that she taught me is the same as what our Savior teaches us in the Good Book!
It always seems that the little things seem to have the biggest impact. A kind word or gesture can go a long long way! LESS IS MORE! Like the mustard seed!
So, be thankful for what God has given us and do not covet. Because wanting more does not always lead to more happiness.
May you have a blessed day!
Will Ross