This wasn’t how it was supposed to be, we thought we had allowed plenty of time. But no. We had been invited to a consultation in London where various people from around the country were being asked for their input into the direction and content of material to be used at a large national Christian event. We were feeling that some sort of mistake was made in inviting us into this conversation – and now concluded arriving late would definitely highlight that fact! Brake lights flashed, the clock blinked, there was nothing we could do.

We eventually arrived but our hoped for silent subtle slip in was not going to be possible – the “on time ones” were in the middle of a silent reflective “listen to God” exercise amplifying every late noise we made - plus in good Christian fashion the only free seats available were right at the front! Several people who we recognised looked up giving us sympathetic looks and supportive smiles. (In a warped encouraging way some people arrived even later than us which allowed us to join the smug sympathetic smilers!)

The reflective listening time soon ended, an overview of the day was outlined and then an opportunity for initial questions was given. From the back of the room came a question from a voice we didn’t know was there: Mark Greene, Director of the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity, author, writer, blah, blah blah – or as we know him ‘Greeneeee!’. I have no recollection of the question he asked, just a great desire to catch up, chat and talk about what’s been happening during the years since we last spoke.

A break eventually arrived and he obviously shared the same impulse for he immediately came over to see us. We did a high speed catch up and then he said something quite humbling and a little bit scary. He said “I still remember what you said to me over six years ago.” It wasn’t something I had said in a sermon or written in an article: something that I had spent hours crafting, instead it was something I said in conversation, not planned not pre-prepared, just said.

At a meeting where we were discussing what to present before thousands of people at a future event, seeking to develop material that would hopefully allow God to impact many many lives, I was reminded that unplanned conversations and encounters can often have a profound impact.

It is still good and right to prepare and plan – I personally believe that is part of what it means to love and honour God. But it is often the unplanned things, the little thank you note, the little kind act, the things that simply overflow from your heart that sticks, is remembered, has the power to impact people’s lives.

As we celebrate Christmas and look forward to a New Year; make plans, buy gifts, make promises, get frustrated by things we can’t control – take a moment or two to notice the little things. Look back at the good little things that people have said and done, the whispers of God, and be thankful. As we work hard to make the Christmas period special and then look on into a New Year full of potential and unknowns – definitely make plans, but ask God to give you eyes and ears to see and hear the little things of Him. Ask that they might stick and impact your life and that God might use your little acts to positively impact others.

Big things can be good, but if you overlook the little things you may miss everything. Like the babe in a manger.

Mark Madavan