When God Stops The Game: Small Acts With A Big Impact

On my birthday, something small and unexpected happened that made me pause and reflect. I was at Starbucks, ready to buy myself a treat, when someone ahead of me paid for my drink. It was just a cup of coffee, but in that moment, it felt like a personal gift from God—a small reminder of His presence in my everyday life. I whispered a prayer of thanks, touched by the gesture, not just because of the free drink, but because it was a reminder that God is constantly showing up in the little things, speaking to us through acts of kindness that might seem insignificant at first glance.

Not long after, I experienced a moment that was anything but small—my Ph.D. hooding ceremony. The journey to that stage was long and challenging, filled with late nights, countless hours of work, and the delicate balance of raising two young children. It was a path paved with perseverance and a commitment to the end goal, and as I stood there on that stage, the sense of accomplishment was overwhelming. But what struck me most wasn't just the achievement itself; it was the incredible support I received from my friends and family.

Many of them traveled great distances to be there with me on that special day. For some, attending the ceremony might have been just another event on their calendar, but for me, their presence was a powerful display of God’s love and faithfulness. Each person’s presence felt like a small light, illuminating the path that God had laid out for me, reminding me that I was never alone in my journey. These people represented more than just friends and family; they were tangible reminders of the support system God had built around me, a network of love that has carried me through both the small moments of daily life and the monumental milestones.

These experiences, both the small and the significant, made me reflect on how God, our Heavenly Father, works in our lives. He delights in both the small and large blessings, showing up in ways we might not always expect. Just like a father who finds joy in the smallest achievements of his children, God takes pleasure in our lives—not just in the big moments, but in every moment. He is the light that guides our way, the support that lifts us when we’re weary, and the constant presence that assures us we are never alone.

This brings me to a powerful analogy: imagine being at the Olympics, where the men’s basketball Dream Team competes for the gold medal. Jesus, the star point guard, is leading the charge, effortlessly guiding the team to victory. The crowd roars. The game is intense, and yet, in the midst of it all, Jesus notices you in the stands. He sees you, and despite the importance of the game, He stops everything. He points to you on the Jumbotron, walks off the court, and comes right up to you. Then, He asks you to join His team, to be part of the championship game.

This is how God sees us. In a world where there are countless people and countless things that could demand His attention, He chooses to focus on you and me. He delights in choosing us, not because of what we’ve done, but because of who we are—His beloved children. He invites us into His work, into His victories, both big and small. He wants us to be part of His team, not as spectators, but as participants in His grand plan.

So, whether it’s through a free cup of coffee on a birthday, the support of loved ones at a graduation, or the countless other small blessings that fill our days, God is always present, always reaching out, and always inviting us to join Him. He’s the Father who delights in us, who pursues us with love and grace, and who invites us into His victory.

The next time something small and seemingly insignificant happens, pause for a moment. Say a prayer of thanks, and remember that God is speaking to you through that act. Just like Jesus stopping the game to pick you for His Dream Team, God’s love is present in the big moments, yes, but it’s also woven into the fabric of our everyday lives, in the small, quiet, and sometimes unnoticed gestures that touch our hearts. He’s calling you, inviting you, and delighting in you. Now I must ask this one paramount question - will you join Jesus as a member of His Dream Team? He is waiting for you to join the game we call life.

My children consistently remind me of these small moments with profound simple blessings. Enjoy these latest moments from my very own Dream Team at home!

(Lisa and I pose with our Paw Patrol masks for Jace’s second birthday party.)

(Jace continually wants to drink from a plastic water bottle like a regular adult. He often spills water in his attempts.)

(During naps, Jace regularly snuggles with the Nessie stuffed animal that I bought him in Scotland this summer at Loch Ness.)

 (While on vacation, Lisa and my family enjoyed the scenic views of Cincinnati, Ohio atop the roof at New Riff Distillery.)   

(The view from Eden Park Overlook in Cincinnati provides some amazing panoramic vantage points of the Ohio River and northern Kentucky.)

(While on vacation in Cincinnati this summer, Annabelle and I pose for a picture in the middle of an aquarium at the Newport Aquarium.)  

(Lisa and Annabelle posed in front of the Museum City Center in Cincinnati, where the Children’s Museum is located.)

(While in Cincinnati, Jace enjoyed being held by his Uncle Joseph, Lisa’s brother.) 

(I have been working on Annabelle’s active listening skills when she does not listen to Daddy.) 

(I recently attended the Sister Hazel concert with my father, Jim, Jr., at the Bijou Theater in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was an excellent show!)

  

(Annabelle and Jace regularly try on Lisa’s shoes and walk around our apartment.)

(Jace rode Clifford at Chuck-E-Cheese. We took Annabelle to the restaurant for her fourth birthday in August.)

(Lisa and I took Annabelle to see Despicable 4 at a theater in Knoxville that has an incredible arcade and two-story slide. Annabelle loves both the games and going down the slide.)

(I surprised Jace with a new ball and a stuffed Luigi, a character from the Super Mario Brothers game and movie. I won both prizes from claw machines at the previously mentioned theater arcade.)

(Jace often plays with the Little Tikes car on our patio and sidewalk outside of our apartment.)

#GodInTheDetails #FaithEveryDay #DivineEncounters #SmallActsBigImpact #GodsBlessings #LifeWithFaith