The Main Thing

There are many things I like about going to the dog park, but one of the things I love to do while I am there in the summer is hunt for four leaf clovers. 

This past weekend the clover was in full bloom. The light, fragrant scent drifted through the air as I walked through patch after patch of emerald green leaves dotted by light lavender heads popping above the carpet. 

While the dogs are running around sniffing all the things dogs love to sniff, my eyes scan the carpeted ground for the "blip" in the pattern of green. I usually don't have to look too hard, just scan the ground as I walk, and they will jump out at me. There's another four-leaf clover!

A few weeks ago I came across something that I had never seen before--a five leaf clover! I had to look twice to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Since then I've found out that clovers can come with many, many leafs.

By now you should know me well enough to know that after I've plucked my four leaf clover out of the ground I stand there thinking to myself, "There's a life lesson in this." Ah, you know me too well.

Do you ever feel like you are just another three-leaf clover planted in a field with a seven billion other three-leaf clovers? 

As I'm standing in the field surrounded by clover I thought to myself, "What would make me stand out in the crowd? How can I become something special that would stand out among so many other people in this world? How do I become the 'blip' in the pattern?"

I'm not necessarily looking for public recognition, but my hope is that I could do something to make this world a little better place to be. 

The truth of the matter is that I don't really have to do some grand task to make a difference. What I can do is lots of little acts of kindness.  Smile at someone when they look down. Tell someone they look pretty or handsome today. Hold the door open for someone. It really doesn't take much.

The important part is to never feel that your part in this world is insignificant or unimportant. As our pastor reminded us this past Sunday, "People are watching us." They watch what we do and how we react. They watch us to make sure our actions follow our words. 

I think it goes without saying that each and every one of us is important to God. We are all special and precious and unique and we don't need to do anything to be recognized by God. However, as Pastor Dan would say, "The main thing is to remember to keep the main thing the main thing." That's pastor-speak for "remember to keep God in the center of everything": your thoughts, your actions, and your words and the rewards will surely follow.

Here's a little Irish blessing for you.  Read it in your best Irish brogue!  :)

May you always walk in sunshine,

May you never want for more,

May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door.