Small Gestures

The whole family was home to celebrate our oldest daughter’s birthday.
All the bedrooms were full.
A pack and play had to be put into our walk-in closet so our littlest grandson could nap.
The crib was occupied by our almost two-year-old granddaughter, who was also napping.

It was a full weekend.
Lots of conversations, laughter, walks around the neighborhood, and meals together.
Nieces and nephews were celebrating with abandon, as only children can do.
The refrigerator was full when the weekend began.

Meals for seventeen people for a weekend diminished the food supply.
That is a good problem to have.
Milk, eggs, fruit, and produce are always the first to go.
I knew that after church I would stop at a market to replenish before the birthday dinner.

Since we drove to church in a few cars, others got home before my husband and I did.
When I got inside, teamwork was in action.
My son and daughter-in-love were preparing lunch.
Leftovers, pizza from the oven, and a charcuterie board were on the island.

It was so wonderful to come home to a prepared meal.
Mama, you go sit down; we’ve got this, my son said.
I didn’t exactly sit.
However, I didn’t do anything towards the lunch preparation either.

Some of us sat at the table; some sat at the kitchen island.
Everyone was talking.
The children were planning what they were going to play after lunch.
The two, who needed naps, were going to be brought upstairs.

Small gestures mean so much.
They are unexpected.
They are kind.
They are so appreciated.

My sons and sons-in-love were playing football on the lawn.
The children were playing on the driveway.
My husband was helping our two-year old grandson ride a balance bike.
At some point, my husband began to pick up sticks that the wind blew down nights ago.

The football game was put on hold, and they all helped pick up sticks.
It is true that many hands make light work.
The fallen sticks were thrown into the woods.
The football game resumed.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
(John 21:4-14)

I thought of the risen Lord Jesus.
He could have had legions of angels at His disposal, but He chose to wait on the shoreline.
He was waiting for His tired and weary disciples to come back from fishing.
Jesus made them breakfast.

Jesus had a coal fire waiting for the fish they caught, after He told them where to throw the nets.
They should have waited on Him.
Yet, Jesus waited on them.
It was unexpected. It was kind. It was so appreciated.

Isn’t that just like our Lord Jesus?
He is still serving us by interceding in prayer for us.
He will one day serve us at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.
In the meantime, we remember, and do small gestures in His name.