Pennies, Pluto, and the Things That Matter

I just got back to my office after a quick stop for a soda and a snack. When the cashier gave me back my change, he rounded it to the nearest nickel. It looks like we're doing away with pennies. For some odd reason, I think that's sad. But it makes sense (pun intended). From what I hear, it costs more to make a penny than what it's worth.

Not too long ago, we did away with Pluto as a planet. From what I hear, it was considered too small and had to be downgraded. I don't know why, but I think that's sad too. Just because you're not big enough, you get kicked out of the planet club?

Small things just don't get the respect they used to. What kind of world do we live in that eliminates things just because they're little?

My sadness is likely attributable to sentimental reasons. I can remember the day when a penny could actually buy you a piece of gum. I remember times when I would scrounge under car seats looking for a few more cents to buy a candy bar. I recall fondly learning about the planets in school when Pluto was still in the club. I remember the days of solar system models presented at science fairs, and there Pluto was—the proud caboose of our planetary system.

But times change, and I suppose I have to get over it. Pennies and Pluto had to go.

Yet one thing I fear is that as these little treasures of my past vanish, somehow we might get the idea that small things no longer matter. I'm afraid we'll forget that a small gesture of kindness, or a brief but kind word, or a short encouraging text, or any other small and seemingly insignificant act still has meaning. You can take away planets and currency, but I will always believe that some of the most powerful moments in life are those small acts.

In His teachings, Jesus was known to praise people not just because of the momentous and courageous acts they performed, but because of their awareness that little things matter. He affirmed that people who truly understand life are those committed to doing those little things—they give cups of water to the thirsty, they visit the sick and imprisoned, they give clothes to the needy. He praised the widow who gave two small coins. He told stories about small mustard seeds. Jesus knew that a person's day could hinge on a welcoming smile or a random act of kindness, and He reminded us never to despise these.

Most of us don't have the wealth to create foundations. The majority of people don't have the talents that entertain crowds. And if the people who downgrade planets and eliminate pennies had their way, they might very well do the same to us. But don't be deceived—little things still matter. So let's resist the cultural message that only big things count. Let's be people who understand that faithfulness often looks like doing small things consistently, quietly, without applause.

So in this penniless world we now live in, let's keep flooding the world with smiles and kind words. Let's open doors and offer helping hands. Let's listen and understand. Let's cherish the small things that make life wonderful. Because they do. They really do.