A Drop That Matters: Finding Purpose in the Small Things

 “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

These words remind us that even the smallest act of love carries eternal weight. Still, it’s easy to look at the world—its needs, its hurts, its enormity—and feel terribly small. What difference could my words, my kindness, my obedience possibly make?

Scripture answers that question again and again: God delights in using the small, the humble, the seemingly insignificant.

God Sees the Drops We Don’t

Jesus tells us that even something as simple as offering a cup of cold water matters:
“And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” — Matthew 10:42

A cup of water—a tiny drop—yet Jesus honors it. It is seen. It is treasured. It is kingdom work.

Small Seeds Become God-Sized Harvests

Jesus also reminds us that big things often begin quietly:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed… though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows it is the largest of garden plants.” — Matthew 13:31–32

Your small act of faith may be the seed God grows into shelter for someone else’s weary heart.

The Ocean of God’s Work Is Built Drop by Drop

When Paul writes about the body of Christ, he emphasizes that every part matters—no matter how hidden or humble:
“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you.’” — 1 Corinthians 12:21
In other words, the ocean of God’s goodness is made up of countless small obedience, quiet sacrifices, whispered prayers, unseen kindnesses.

Take even one of those away, and the whole becomes less.

Your Drop Has Purpose

Your smile at a stranger.
Your prayer for a friend.
Your gentle word when someone expected frustration.
Your patience in a hard moment.
Your willingness to keep showing up even when you feel invisible.

These are drops heaven sees.

God does not measure our impact by size but by faithfulness. And He promises that nothing done in love is ever wasted:
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

Keep Pouring Your Drop Into the World

You may never know the full effect of the good you’ve done. Most of us won’t. But God knows. God sees. God uses every drop.

And the ocean of His love—reaching, healing, restoring—would be missing something without the part He entrusted to you.

So keep going.
Keep giving.
Keep loving.
Your drop matters more than you think.

Resources:

YouVersion - Scripture Image

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The Enchanted Art of House Cleaning: Turning Chores into Everyday Magic

Once upon a time, in a kingdom not so far away—perhaps just beyond the laundry pile and the dust bunny colony—there lived a brave soul armed with a dust mop, a sponge, and an optimistic playlist. The quest? To restore peace and sparkle to the realm known as Home Sweet Home.

Cleaning can be mundane but I think we can agree, we feel better when our house is clean.

Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

Think about it: with just a few swipes of a cloth, I turn chaos into calm. A cluttered counter becomes a stage for creativity. The smell of Mr. Clean "Clean Freak" cleaner in grapefruit scent is a potion of renewal, and the hum of the vacuum—why, that’s the song of victory echoing through the halls!  My cat Patty doesn't appreciate the vacuum's song.

Every dust mote I chase is like a tiny fairy fleeing back to the land of forgotten corners. Every freshly folded towel feels like a triumph of order over entropy. I'm not just tidying—I'm transforming energy. I'm conducting a symphony of scents, textures, and light with a few sneezes when the dust tickles my nose.

Of course, there are moments when the quest feels perilous. When the laundry basket seems bottomless, or the kitchen sink insists on refilling itself as if by sorcery. That’s when I must remember: even fairy tales have dragons. Ours just happen to look like greasy stovetops, mystery stains, and enough camping gear to fill a REI store.

But oh, the satisfaction when it’s done! The house exhales. The air shimmers with peace. You light a candle, make a cup of tea, and suddenly the world feels right again. I've turned effort into comfort, and motion into mindfulness.

So, the next time you pick up a duster or scrub a stubborn spot, imagine you’re a magician in your own cottage—casting spells of harmony, one sparkle at a time.  If you don't feel magical, crank up your playlist with some extra fun tunes to help pass the time.

And when you finally collapse on the couch, surrounded by the glow of your handiwork, I think to myself:

“… another happy ending, until next weekend!"

Resources:

Quoted Bible Verse courtesy of Google AI search for "Bible verses related to house cleaning."

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What I've Been Reading - A Slight Change of Pace

I was an avid reader growing up.  While in college, I spent most of my time reading textbooks.  In my adult years, I decided to get back into reading and I remember buying one of the very first Kindles - back when they were black and white and all you could do on them was read books.

I've always enjoyed mysteries, especially those by Sherlock Holmes.  I cannot recall how many times I've read "The Red Headed League" or "The Hounds of the Baskervilles" both in tangible book form and e-books.

I got into a habit of reading a lot of "self-help" books with so many of them being weight loss fads, diets, and trends.  I recently finished The Mountain is You which I definitely recommend if you are like me and struggle with worry, fear, and other self-sabotaging behaviors.

Since my vacation in mid-October, I've started reading more for enjoyment than help or learning.  

Free through Prime Reading, I obtained the book Lotus. When I first started reading the book where a young man returns to his childhood neighborhood after being kidnapped as a child, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it.  It was classified as "dark romance" as Oliver, the young man who had been kidnapped, had a lot to work through which he did while also falling in love with his childhood friend Sydney.  There was a happy ending; I don't want to spoil it for you.

I'm signed up for the Gemma Halliday Publishing mailing list and I have the opportunity to get free Kindle books and I recently read two books from her publishing company.

My Old Kentucky Homicide is part of the "Bourbon B&B" series.  Yes, a recovering alcoholic can read books set in "bourbon" country as long as you enjoy a cup of tea and not bourbon while reading.  This story is about a new bed & breakfast started by two of three sisters named "Three Sisters." The sister who lived in DC came in to help her sisters during opening weekend.  The guests for the weekend were from a group reviewing the B&B for possible admission into a tourism co-op. One of the guests was a cranky gentleman sending bad vibes in the lobby as the guests arrived for the weekend.  The man cited a migraine and laid down for a nap prior to a tour of a barrel factory. When arriving for the tour, the man seemed unwell.  When the tour bus returned the guests to the B&B after the tour, the man was found dead.  The death of a guest along with family drama among the sisters made for story that was hard to stop reading. I will not give any spoilers as to how it ends.

My son and his wife have a dachshund named Mabel and I enjoy taking her for "walkies" whenever I have the opportunity.  My wiener dog grand-pup lead me to choose Pups, Pumpkins and Murder.  I just finished this book and very much enjoyed it.  I might have also enjoyed a pumpkin spice cocoa during one of my reading sessions. My husband found pumpkin spice cocoa k-cups on manager's special at Kroger.  Anyhow, this as another book that was hard to put down.  The main character Samantha or Sam and her wiener dog Porkchop seem to find themselves in the middle of police investigations and that is how Sam met her detective boyfriend Hank.  The community of Wings Falls was having a fall festival to raise money for a camp that helps inner city youth.  There were costume contests for children and pets, a barbeque contest, and a 2,000 pound pumpkin.  Again, I won't spoil it for you other than to suggest that you do not put lavender oil in your pulled pork and that a 2,000 pound pumpkin should be securely tethered to flatbed so it doesn't fall off.  

If you're interested to learn what else I've read, you can find me on Goodreads.  

Imagine a Country of Courage and Compassion

Imagine a country whose citizens—and even its leaders—are brave, calm, and open toward one another. A nation where people listen before they speak, seek to understand before they argue, and extend grace before judgment. 

What would it look like if we all recognized that every human being belongs to the same family? That no matter where we live, what we believe, or how we appear on the surface, the same light flickers within us all.

It’s a powerful vision, yet it begins not in government halls or global treaties—but in the quiet chambers of the human heart. Real change, the kind that heals and unites, doesn’t come through force or policy. It comes through consciousness: an awakening to who we truly are and what we are capable of when love guides our actions.

Imagine leaders who lead not with fear, but with calm strength. Citizens who respond to crisis not with panic, but with peace. Communities that choose compassion over competition.

When we rise above our divisions and remember our shared humanity, we plant seeds for a new world—a country of courage and kindness, grounded in truth and open-hearted awareness.

Perhaps the greatest revolution is not political at all, but spiritual—a change of heart that reminds us we are one people, created to walk this journey together.

So today, let us begin where we are. Let us embody that courage, calm, and openness in our daily lives. For the country we imagine can only come to life through the consciousness we carry within us.

Resources:

Bible Verse Image from YouVersion

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Slow Down to Love: Finding Sensitivity in a Hurried World

 We live in a world that glorifies busyness. From the moment we open our eyes in the morning, our minds start racing through a list of things to do before sunset — errands to run, messages to reply to, deadlines to meet, meals to prepare. We move so quickly through our days that we often forget to see the people right in front of us.

But to love — truly love — we must be sensitive to those around us. And sensitivity can’t thrive in a soul that’s always in a hurry.

When we rush, we miss the subtle cues: the quiet sigh from a loved one who’s had a hard day, the unspoken worry behind a friend’s smile, the gentle nudge from the Spirit prompting us to reach out. Love requires presence — a heart that listens, eyes that notice, and a pace that allows space for connection.

Love doesn’t grow in the noise of constant motion; it blossoms in the still moments when we pause long enough to care. Jesus modeled this beautifully. Though He had a divine mission and crowds pressing around Him, He always took time to stop — to listen, to touch, to heal, to love.

Perhaps the invitation today is simple: slow down. Look up from the checklist. Notice the person beside you. Offer a kind word, a listening ear, a smile. These small acts of attention are sacred — they are the purest expression of love.

Because in the end, love isn’t measured by how much we get done, but by how present we are to those who share the journey with us.

Resources:

YouVersion - scripture image

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Dabbling in Video updates - Check Out my YouTube Channel

Hi all!

Thanks for stopping by the blog.  I decided to try something new in addition to my writing/blogging and that is making videos!  I have linked my YouTube channel below.

While I was getting a massage, the idea popped into my head that perhaps I should record a video.  I got back from my appointment and tinkered around on my laptop not sure what I should use and that's when I found Microsoft Clipchamp.  

My first video was 10 minutes log and I cut it to roughly 4 minutes.  While I tried to cut it at what felt like a right time, I might have cut it in the wrong place.  Ah, live & learn as they say.

I recorded another vide today and made an effort to keep it under 5 minutes.  

I am not a professional videographer or professional script writer.

I am simply a woman sharing her thoughts on YouTube. 

You'll hear updates about my menopause journey and how HRT is going.

You'll hear about strength classes and powerlifting. Despite not feeling as strong as I did when I did a powerlifting comp back in May, I am going into my next comp with a positive attitude.  I've put in the work through the strength classes and I'm going to do my best.  I think that's all my friends, coaches, and other meet participants expect from someone showing up at a competition.

Psalm 34:4–5, 8

I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

The above scripture is from "15 Bible Verses to Encourage You." 

Jodi Santini YouTube

Protect Your Peace and Know Your Best is Good Enough

Go the EXTRA mile!

You're on vacation but you give the EXTRA effort and check in periodically.

Don't just come to the gym for scheduled classes, do EXTRA credit on your own time!

How about some EXTRA help?

Do any of these sound familiar?  All of these reflect EXTRAs in my life over the past several weeks. 

The extra mile was Google Maps having a brain cramp that was resolved by pulling into a parking lot, closing out and restarting the map to get me back home.  Regarding the extra effort while on vacation, I will not rehash what you can read in these blog posts Choosing Health over Wealth and When Job Stress Becomes too Heavy to Carry. The Extra credit workouts at the gym started this past week.  I completed two out of three.

By Friday evening, I felt like I'd been hit by a truck; not a little pickup but a semi with a double-trailer.  I opted to turn off my alarm for Saturday morning. When I woke up on Saturday, I had a fever and swollen glands. I decided to lay low and just putter around the house.  I folded some laundry left from Friday and tidied up clutter. 

By Saturday evening, I was still feeling lousy so I let my girl friends at the Lewis Center AA group know that I wouldn't be at Sunday's meeting.  I turned off my alarm again.  When I woke on Sunday, I was feeling a little better but grateful I wasn't going anywhere although I would miss seeing the girls and going for our coffee after the meeting.

On Sunday, I saw this image.

This really hit home.  I was so worried about disappointing my customers that I worked during parts of my last vacation.  I don't want to disappoint the coaches at Steadfast so let's put in extra workouts despite my body saying "shouldn't you consider some extra rest?"  

I see my OB this coming week for my annual appointment.  I think it's time that we discuss some extra help for me.  By "extra help," I mean possible hormone replacement or whatever she might recommend to help me in my perimenopause journey.  It might sound funny that "itchy and bitchy" describe how I've felt for the last month but it's actually the truth.  My ears itch so horribly that I've irritated them.  My mood has frankly been foul or "bitchy." Not all of it is my husband being well, my husband or my coworkers being themselves.  I do think some of it could be hormonal. 

It is also time that I start putting myself first instead of putting myself last.  Will I disappoint people with decisions that I make?  Sure, I probably will but don't I deserve to be happier, well-rested, and less stressed?  I think so.

Resources:

Image from BuddismPage

Previous blog posts about perimenopause:

Coping with Perimenopause

How to Support a Friend going through Menopause

Why Am I Always Tired?