However, do we appreciate them so much when the shoe is on the other foot? The other day, I was talking to Michael about the speed limit. He's very curious about cars and driving and the like (Heaven, help me, he's only five years away from that learner's permit!) and we were talking about how his dad likes to drive ten miles under the speed limit. I said, "If the speed limit is 65 mph, your dad likes to go 55 mph. I like to go 69 mph."
Michael asked, "Is it wrong to go 55 mph?"
I replied, "Not if you are in the far right lane. However, if going slowly is blocking traffic, then you can get a ticket for that as well."
Michael's next question, "But isn't it wrong to go above the speed limit? Why do you go 69 mph?"
Good question and one that put me in my place right away! I wanted to excuse my behavior, saying that I wasn't hurting anyone and that the law "kinda sorta" allowed going over the limit as long as it wasn't by too much. However, I decided to not make excuses for myself and I said, "You're right, Michael. It's against the law to go above the speed limit and I'm wrong to do so."
But, it's just a little thing . . . does it really matter? That's what bounces around in my head. I've discussed this conversation with friends and many people mention how important it is to go with the flow of traffic. As I peruse that idea, the countering thought of "Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean it's the right thing to do." (That's a mantra that my children have heard me say all their lives.)
I don't want Michael (or Rachel . . . or me . . . or Art) to think that he can pick and choose what laws/rules to follow. I don't want him to think that a "little sin" doesn't make a difference. Little things do matter.
In fact, little things can cause a lot of damage.
Last Friday, I actually ran a full mile, then walked a half mile, ran a half mile and walked a half mile. I then decided I was going to walk another mile, just for the fun of it.
I was happily powering along, feeling good, when WHAM! I found myself on the ground! I stepped on the stick in the photo above, twisted my ankle as it went one way and my body went the other. I got road rash on my arm, scraped my knee and ground pebbles into my palms as I hit the sidewalk.
That stick is such a little thing when compared to the size of my foot and even smaller, when compared to the size of my whole body. However, it put a screaming halt to my running program. It still hurts to walk, much less run. Fortunately, I'm able to bicycle without pain, so at least I'm still getting exercise in.
A little thing . . . controlling my exercise . . . having an impact much longer than the instant it took to step on it. It's interesting to note that I *missed* that stick on the first two miles, but it tripped me up on the third. It "caught" me.
Little things DO matter, regardless of whether their impact is positive or negative. What "little" thing will you do today that will make a difference in your world?