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Dave says: "Small things matter"

 
Tim Thornborough | 1 Mar 2011

Quick quiz - who is this about - fewer points the further down the list you have to go:

  • He grew his own food by farming, but insisted that he and his followers should pull the plough themselves without draught animals
  • He only drank water
  • He only ate bread with salt and herbs
  • He and his followers spent their evenings in prayer, reading and writing.
  • He insisted that personal possessions were not allowed: to say "my book" was an offence.
  • He outlawed the drinking of beer.
  • On his deathbed he said: "Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about".
  • His symbol is the leek, but he is often depicted with a dove on his shoulder.

Give up? OK maybe the headline gave it away in connection with the leek and the date. It's St David's day today, so our greetings to all you wonderful people of Wales who may be reading this on St David's day.

As with many "saints" what we know of his life is difficult to weed out from the inflated claims that biographers make about their holiness, miracles and influence. But certainly the deathbed saying: "Do the little things", which has entered Welsh folklore as a popular proverb - 'Do the little things in life' ('Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd') - is something we can take to heart.

Do we place too much emphasis on the big things we attempt for God - and neglect the power of the small things? A gentle piece of encouragment, a small act of kindness, a text reminding someone you are praying for them, a Bible verse shared, a smile or a greeting to a stranger or a shop assistant. Life is made up for the most part of these little things. And St Dave reminds us that Christ can inhabit each of them.

Tim Thornborough

Tim Thornborough founded The Good Book Company in 1991. Today his roles include Chairing The Good Book Company Trust and working with the Rights team to grow TGBC's international reach. He is the author of The Very Best Bible Stories series and has contributed to many books published by TGBC and others. Tim is married to Kathy, and they have three adult daughters.