• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Inspirational Author and Greeting Card Writer

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Rebecca
    • Contact
    • MEDIA
    • FAQ
  • Books/Store
    • Mornings with Jesus 2019
    • Mornings with Jesus
    • DAY-VOTIONS® BOOK SERIES:
    • 40 Days
    • Daily in your Presence Series
    • Meditations for Lent and Easter
    • Courage for the Chicken Hearted
    • Marriage Toners
    • At Home in My Heart
  • Greeting Cards
    • Articles
  • Freebies
    • Resources

It Takes So Little to Be Above Average

by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

relationships - It Takes So Little to Be Above Average

I read Florence Littauer’s challenge years ago in her book, It Takes So Little to Be Above Average. But God reminded me of that principle in a truly simple way this week.

I had just semi-closed the misaligned door of the old armoire  in our bedroom. But as I rounded the corner to the hall that book title popped into my head–as it sometimes does when I’ve given a half-hearted effort to do something.

You see, you don’t just “close” that door. You have to grab the bottom of the door, lift it up, and pop it into the proper groove before it will close tight all the way. And I admit, sometimes I just get lazy and leave it gaping open, rather than, um, make the above average effort to close it.

Relationships Matter

Confession time. I don’t like to admit all the times when I selfishly or thoughtlessly choose in BIG areas (not just small ones) not to take the above average approach. But kindness, thoughtfulness, excellence, and love find their best expressions in the belief that it’s usually the little things that make the biggest difference in our lives. In a marriage, with our kids, for a neighbor, in our jobs, speaking or writing–no matter where, small things do matter.

Oiling the Hinges Brings Joy

We all know those who seem to delight in bringing joy to others just by “oiling the door hinges”–sometimes silently and anonymously–or in this blog metaphor, closing the doors behind us, to make life smoother for another.

Great Relationships Thrive on Little Things

Great relationships thrive on little things: compliments, intentional caring behaviors, thoughtful deeds that say, “I love you!” Great businesses (and customers) grow and thrive through a series of small decisions and helpful attitudes.

One of the many “little things” my husband does is to make the bed before I can. (He also “oils a lot of hinges.”) A friend makes the effort to send encouraging notes to me through the year (and to scores of others), while another lets me know she’s praying for me at crucial times.

In a hundred little ways each day, wherever we are, we have the opportunity to wash feet, give praise, shut doors (or open them) in “above average” ways for others. If you’ve never heard of Johnny the Bagger and the Simple Truths of Service, watch this video, for a powerful picture of how someone used a small idea to make a huge difference. (Grab your kleenex–it’s worth watching repeatedly).

Relationships Need a Servant Spirit

You don’t learn how to be above average through compulsiveness, selfish ambition or competition. You learn it by focusing on others, through servant behavior. You learn it by watching the Master Teacher, Jesus, do His best work. Is it easy? Not really.

We All Struggle

While it may seem perfectly natural to some, all of us struggle at times to make a greater effort to “do the little things that matter,” in order to add value to someone else. Doing good to someone BEFORE they can do it to you is a great goal. Unfortunately, not many volunteer for the thankless job title of “Servant.”

But Jesus did.

Now some of you are chomping at the bit to add your timely suggestion: “Just fix the armoire door.” We might, eventually. It needs more than oiled hinges, however. But for now, that misfit of a door is a great reminder to me that it truly takes so little to be above average! 🙂

“Whoever wants to be great  among you must be your servant….just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Matthew 20:26, 28 NIV)

How has someone done one of those “little” things that’s made a difference in your life? How would you fill in this statement: “It Takes So Little to  __________________. 

Note: God prompted me to re-visit this blog I wrote in the past. The devotional message never grows old. I hope you enjoyed.

Related Posts

  • One Thing You Can Do to Heal Your CountryOne Thing You Can Do to Heal Your Country
  • When You Need to Know Where God Wants YouWhen You Need to Know Where God Wants You
  • When the World You’ve Known Keeps Changing, How Do You Respond?When the World You’ve Known Keeps Changing, How Do You Respond?
  • How to Spread Your Spiritual Wings and FlyHow to Spread Your Spiritual Wings and Fly
  • Eight Unexpected Blessings from GodEight Unexpected Blessings from God
  • 25 Christmas Prayers – Day 2225 Christmas Prayers – Day 22
« Previous
Next »
rebecca-headshot

You are so important to me! As an inspirational author and day-voted follower of Jesus, my passion is to help you see God bigger and to deepen your intimacy with Him. I love to paint encouragement on the hearts of others just like you.

8 Ways to Grow Closer To God book cover

Free! Subscribe to my newsletter and blog updates and receive an ebook copy of 8 Ways to Draw Closer to God.

Recent Posts

  • The God Who Will Never Let Go
  • A Valentine Prayer Letter to My Spouse – Husband and Wife
  • Do You Need Encouragement in Your Discouragement?
  • Inner Peace & The What Ifs of Life: Positive or Negative?
  • Bible Promise for Today: Enduring Love

Privacy Policy

© 2017 Rebecca Barlow Jordan. All rights reserved.   ·   website by Stormhill Media

© 2021 Jeanette Morris. All rights reserved.   ·   website by Stormhill Media

Copyright © 2021 · Aspire Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Tweet