“A Small Victory” by Justin March
I was watching our son and daughter play Mario Kart on Friday night, and the laughter and competitiveness this simple video game was bringing to them and their friends was infectious. For those of you that have never witnessed this challenge, you begin by picking a character you want to be, you build a vehicle you want to drive, and you choose a set of four tracks you want to race against each other on. You can play with up to four friends, but there are twelve racers and the computer bots fill in the remaining eight slots.
To put it humbly, our children and their friends were good. Actually, they are really good. They have put many hours into this game, and it is apparent that all this practice has solidified the medals they are awarded as they jump, drift, and speed their way across the finish line. The computer bots don’t stand a chance, and as I watched the camaraderie being built between these four racers, it was a joy to witness the community and bond such a simple event was building.
Do you think small victories, like the one above, can be important in this life? Do you feel like the simple act of laughter, feeling good, and sharing joy with one another can be contagious and infectious? Well, in the couple hours I was blessed to be part of this Mario Kart experience, I can tell you that not once did I think about the war in the Ukraine, not once did I check on my social media sites, and not once did I wallow in the darkness this world likes to surround me with. I was just present in the simple joy of sharing a few moments with those I care about and relishing in the small victories this video game was providing.
With every smile, every handshake, and every embrace there are small victories as we brighten another’s day. With every hammer swing, every meal served, and every hour spent helping our communities, there are small victories as we satisfy basic human needs. And with every written devotion, every gospel message shared, and every bible verse read, there are small victories as we begin an understanding with someone that God is with them no matter how dire the circumstances may seem.
Our journeys in life can be brightened by these small victories. We are being asked to take care of one another, love one another, and spread messages of hope and promise. And I have found, more often than not, that these simple acts of kindness, these unselfish hours spent helping our communities, and these small gestures of positivity and warmth are just what another needs to find their way to the cross.
Never underestimate the power of your small victories. You may never see the fruits of your simple acts, but know that God sees them as he witnesses you carrying out the mission He has set before you. He smiles as you invoke hope, faith, and inspiration in others. And as our journeys get closer and closer to the end, God will be pleased with each simple act that helped bring others closer to Him.
As you begin your week, take a moment to think about where you may be able to incorporate some small victories in your journey. Think about where you can lend a helping hand, spend a few hours with those you love, or simply share a smile with a stranger. It may not seem like much to you, but these are the acts that spread light into the world. These are the acts that bring joy and happiness. And these are the acts that help another find hope in knowing that God is with them, no matter how small the victory may seem!
