In the world of human endeavors, we are often given two pieces of advice:

Think big. Start small.

But during this season of Lent, let's think small. Recall these parables of Jesus, short on words but packed with potential and power. 

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.

The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.

–Matthew 13:31–33

Call it the discipline of downsizing. No, not the act of sifting through unused household goods in order to clear up closet space. This is about our gaze. Even if we know that bigger isn't always better in the consumer world, aren't we also sometimes tempted to view the life of faith through the "more is more" lens too? We're taught to pray, "Your kingdom come," right? Of course we want that kingdom right here, right now, as grand and glorious as God's word promises.

But we're not there yet. It's Lent. The Revelation 22 river of the water of life is at the end of the story. We're walking in another chapter: a dry and dusty one. And the tree of life with its healing leaves? We haven't reached it yet. But every tree starts with a seed.

One small seed.

Just as Advent directs our gaze to a Bethlehem manger instead of a royal palace to meet the King of Kings, Lent takes us on a road of ashes and suffering before we reach the empty tomb. Something big is coming! A celebration of new life far exceeding the return of longer days and spring flowers—the very undoing of death!

But we don't sing our hallelujah choruses yet. It's Lent. So as we wait for the bigger that will be better than we can possibly imagine, let's think small. Mustard seed small. What are the little things on this road that show us the kingdom, in Jesus, truly has come near?

Blessings on the journey, fellow travelers. Pax vobiscum. (Peace be with you.)

There are many wonderful Lenten devotionals. In keeping with the theme of Mrs. Tellinghuisen's reflection, you might consider Lent through the Little Things: Encountering Jesus in Life's Ordinary Moments by Linda Hanstra.

Ponder and Discuss: Look for little things during this Lenten journey that testify to God's goodness, beauty, and power. Talk about them at the dinner table, in the car, or on a walk. Please share them using this form so we can share them with the Trinitas community. Names will not be published unless you have a story you want to share personally.