The Sum of the Little Things…

There is much more to say concerning the little things of life: Men often learn to carry great loads, to carry great weight and worry with calmness and courage—yet lose their tempers at the little things, and say what they never intended to say, and do what they never intended to do—for which they are later sincerely sorry. They may be magnanimous in service, in time, and in matters of money, and yet let little things bring out the lesser side of themselves.
The little things can add up to a telling total. It is appalling, for example, how many divorces, how many broken homes there are because of what would seem to be the little things. Often when there is no immorality, no infidelity, separations come because of what increasingly is called incompatibility, or mental cruelty, which is often simply the sum of the little things: the trying traits of personality, habits and mannerisms, carelessness in personal appearance, sarcasm and unkind criticism, the thoughtless acts of inconsideration which, each one separately and of itself considered, could be called inconsequential, but which added all together could break the foundations of friendship and family.
(A little film of oil, a little lubrication, is a little thing—but the best-made machine will not run far without it.)
Families and friends, even with a deep sense of loyalty, even with sincere affection, often let the little things adversely affect their relationships in life. And as to a wife, a mother: for such unceasing service it means much to receive the small courtesies, the small tokens of appreciation, the compliment to cooking, the thoughtfulness, and deference due. So many overlook these little things. So many who would not steal or lie or be physically cruel or unkind, yet become careless about the little things of life:

Self examination isn’t always easy, not the honest kinds; and forgiveness isn’t always easy, either, nor is forgetting—but may God help us to examine ourselves, to appraise fairly, to judge fairly, to repent, to change, and in gentleness and meekness, in courtesy and kindness, not let the big things, the beautiful things, the important things, the real and everlasting things, be undermined or worn away by the little things of life.