It’s the little things.

Literally.

As in 3″ wide and 1-1/2″ tall.

As in the adorable little red toy car that Brad bought for me today at TSC.

I came home from prison tonight (Note: for those of you who don’t know that story, click here), and I found the little car on my nightstand beside the bed. I immediately squealed with delight, “I love it!” Brad responded back with his half-laugh/half-chuckle that I know so well after 25 years.  He said it reminded him of my little red Fiat but with big tires. He knew I’d love it.

And I do.

And I love him for knowing I would love it.

And I love him for leaving an unexpected treat for me.

It’s the little things.

Now hours later and still with a big grin on my face and warm fuzzy in my heart, that little red car got me to thinking…

How many people overspent their budget this past Christmas? A quick Google search reveals anywhere from 30 to 70 percent, depending on the source. Wow. Way higher than I thought it might be. A second Google search shows 761,000 responses to the search “how not to overspend at Christmas,” and over 500,000 responses to searches about why people overspend during the holidays. All this leaves my head spinning.

We all know “it’s the little things,” yet so many people are willing to get themselves into a financial pickle at Christmas in order to give gifts to the ones they love. It’s the craziest thing. We’ll miss those opportunities to show others we love them 364 days a year, and then try to make up for it on one.

Jesus set very clear examples for us in Scripture. He didn’t just show up on Christmas day to show us He loves us. Nope, He showed up and shows up every single day. In thousands of ways. The example He sets for us is day-in-day-out, consistent, unexpected, undeserved, unconditional acts of love.

That gorgeous sunrise.
The gentle patter of rain.
The first blooms of spring.
The tiny toes of a baby.
The warm breeze.
The night lights in the sky.
The unexpected affirmation.
The Scripture that leaps off the page.
Each breath we take.

Gifts that say He loves us.

I’m challenging myself, and I’m challenging you. First, to daily acknowledge and thank God for all the ways He shows us He loves us. Second, to be intentional… all 363 days of 2014 that we have left… in showing others our love.

Day-in-day-out. Consistent. Unexpected. Undeserved. Unconditional.

It’s the LITTLE things.