Moving a Mountain

Moving A Mountain – One Molehill at a Time
by Louise Bergmann DuMont

You see it everywhere – in book titles, bumper stickers, and billboards. The media tells us that we are too important to concern ourselves with “the small stuff” of life. I disagree. God never called me to move a mountain at a moment’s notice, but He has asked me to move a number of mountains – one molehill at a time.

Consider the seemingly insignificant task of setting out table favors. On the first Saturday of each month, my husband and I run a senior citizen program called The King’s Kitchen. We provide some form of enrichment or entertainment for our guests and serve lunch to about fifty seniors. Every guest receives a favor – a small token of our appreciation for participating. In the spring we may offer miniature baskets with one brightly colored Easter egg in each, last winter we made three tiered marshmallow snowman with pretzel arms and a licorice smile, and this fall we gave small bags of candy corn decorated with cheerful yellow and orange ribbon. The treats aren’t gourmet fare or great works of art but they do add a festive touch to the tables.

One Saturday, as I was clearing away the remains of lunch, Mary came up to me and asked if we had any extra favors. I placed in her hands three that I’d salvaged and was surprised when she wrapped her frail arms around me in a grateful hug.

“I’m glad you like them, Mary,” I said smiling, “but they really aren’t all that much.”

“Oh yes they are.” she replied, a grin spreading from one ear to the other as she hugged me once again.

Curious that such a small thing would make her so very happy, I asked her what she was going to do with them.

“Your favors are my witnesses”, she said.

“Witnesses?”

“Yes. When I get back to the nursing home, the first thing I do is pray. As God sends people to my room, I give them one of your favors. They always ask where I got it. That gives me a chance to tell them about The King’s Kitchen and about my faith.” Excitement grew on Mary’s face as she continued. “One particular nurse always made sure to visit. Last month I led her to the Lord and now she comes in a few times each week after her shift to read the Bible with me! I have two other nurses interested now.”

After things were cleared away I grabbed a mug of coffee and reflected on our conversation. Some Christians feel they can’t move mountains – or witness to an entire nursing staff. But Mary didn’t see her task as a mountain. All she saw was a pile of molehills. I don’t know what God has in store for Mary next, but she certainly proved to me that nothing is too small for God to use in a pair of willing hands.

"'Well done!” the king exclaimed. “You are a trustworthy servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.”

Luke 19:17 (NLT)

Simple is Good

I like my coffee strong, hot and black. I know, I know… light and sweet is the way of today’s culture. Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and dozens of others, offer alternatives from hot Frappuccino Carmel Grande’s to Toasted Almond Iced Mocha Latte’s. Each is topped with real whipped cream of course.

Now I’ll admit that I indulge in an occasional iced latte on a summer’s eve, but no matter the season or the time of day, I still prefer sipping a cup of hot black coffee. It seems to me that people in general have become overly indulgent. I remember as teen asking my immigrant, factory working, dad for some frivolous item and getting his standard reply. “God gives us everything we need. If we don’t have it, we must not need it.” The older I get the more I see reason in his words.

We seem to have raised a generation whose mantra is “I want.” My young coworkers want big homes, luxury cars, and of course, lots of bling. One girl, who’s been living with her boyfriend for more than two years, made a comment that she wants to get engaged but her partner doesn’t make enough money to get the size diamond she has in mind.

My youngest son recently got engaged to a beautiful girl and he bought her modest diamond to solidify his commitment. She, a very practical and thoughtful young woman, was honored to wear the symbolic ring. As she and I sat sipping our coffee after lunch one afternoon, I caught her looking down at her hand more than a dozen times. With each glance, her eyes softened and a smile played upon her lips. I could not help but wonder if my coworker would have the same reaction when she got her two-carat diamond.

Unfortunately we are all affected by materialism. While I was sipping an evening cup of coffee, my son pulled out a photo of the elegant china that the engaged couple just registered for. I offered the appropriate oh’s and ah’s then suggested they chose a nice crystal pattern as well. From over my son’s shoulder I saw my husband. His scowl made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

“What’s the matter with you?” I asked.

“All of that is just stuff,” he replied. “There are so many things that they need. I’d rather they get those things first. Leave the crystal for an anniversary later on.”

Now it was my turn to frown. I imagined the young lovers sitting in their new apartment, romantically starring into each other’s eyes across a beautiful candle lit table. Why shouldn’t these two have the best china and crystal to make the evening complete? Then my writer’s imagination drew a close-up of the table. On it sat a pizza box, two paper plates and two plastic cups. The same hands crossed the table and tenderly held each other, the same eyes locked in loving embrace. No crystal, no china. Just the two of them – surrounded by the love God placed in their hearts for each other. My husband was right. It isn’t about the “stuff.”

I took a sip of my strong black coffee and savored its taste. Sometimes simple is best.

A simple life in the fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches. Proverbs 16:15

©2006 Louise Bergmann DuMont. All rights reserved.