Leadership Thought: Little Things Do Make a Difference.

Dear Friends,

“It's the little things that make the difference.” How many times have we heard that expression, and yet its frequency never seems to dull its essential truth? “Little things do make a big difference.” That's why I enjoy shopping at Walmart. The moment I enter the store there is someone there to greet me and make me feel welcome. In the aisles I will see blue vested employees with “How can I help you,” emblazoned on their backs. And when you take the opportunity to ask for information, my experience has been that their service-oriented employees will go out of their way to help assist you. They don’t point. They ‘travel’ with you.

It's the little things that make the difference. A good motel delivers a clean room with a bed. A great motel offers crisp sheets, a guest paper, freshly brewed coffee, and a neatly wrapped piece of chocolate tucked under your pillow. What's the difference? Not much and that just my point. It's the little things that keep you coming back to shop, to rest, and yes, even to go to church.

It is the little things that make a difference in the way people view your church. It's the willingness of its members to do the little things that catch your attention. It's taking time to lead someone to the reception area, rather than just pointing out directions. It's the umbrella offered in the rain, or the smile on the face, and the words, “How may I help you,” from the lips of the church secretary that communicates this church really cares about you.

Many people will visit a church because of a gifted teacher, but the glue that holds them and keeps them coming back is the way they were treated by those who represent the face of Christ? I suggest that it is the little things that make the difference between a one-time visit and a long-time member.

All this reminds me of a story I read titled, “Just What the Doctor Ordered.” A young entrepreneur in Gilmore Texas, opened a fast-food franchise along with two partners. During their first week in operation, he overheard two ladies in the restaurant talking about their disappointment with the soft drink selection. One of the ladies, who was diabetic, wished they had diet Dr Pepper.

The entrepreneur got in his car, drove to the nearest convenience store, purchased a 6 pack of diet Dr Pepper, and returned to his restaurant. Then he brought the lady a cup of ice and a can of the drink.

“Ma'am, he said,  there will always be a case of diet Dr Pepper with your name on it in a refrigerator in the back. Anytime you come, you just tell the person at the counter who you are and that you would like a diet Dr Pepper, and they'll get it for you.”

The woman was shocked.

“Young man,” she said, “I have lived in this town my whole life. I have many influential friends and they will hear what you just did for me. Thank you. From now on, we will be regular customers,”  and she was as good as her word. (Success One Day at a Time, John Maxwell, p. 37).

Rebecca had well learned the principle that little things make a difference.  It all started with drawing water and ended with a husband named Isaac. Eliezer had been sent by Abraham to find a wife for his son Isaac. One day while his camels were needing water, he came upon Rebekah, and he noted something unique about her. It was demonstrated in her drawing of water for his camels. She did so willingly and so quickly. The pots used for carrying water were large and heavy. It took a lot of water to satisfy a thirsty camel- up to 25 gallons per camel after a week’s travel. Seeing Rebecca go to work, Eliezer knew this was a woman with a heart for doing far more than the bare minimum. And it was her service that singled her out, and resulted in her becoming Isaac’s wife (Life Application Study Bible, Genesis 24: 18 -21).

Yes I would like to be more like those Walmart helpful employees, and the young man  who went the extra mile to bring pleasure to a tired and thirsty lady, and like Rebecca, who did more than just the minimum, and in doing so found a husband. But most of all I want to be like Christ, “Who, being in very nature God,  did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2: 6-7).  

As we go about our day, let's not forget the lesson that “little things make a difference,” because they do.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom