It Matters More Than You Think
Message Summary:
You may have heard about the mother of three who was recovering in the hospital after a serious operation. Her husband sat beside her holding her hand while their three children crowded into the recovery room. He leaned in and said, “Honey, the operation couldn’t have gone any better. The doctor says you’re going to make a full recovery.” Then he leaned in a little closer and asked, “Also…what are we having for dinner?”
You may have also heard it said that moms are customer service representatives who answer the same three questions on repeat: “What’s for dinner?” “Where’s my charger?” and “Where’s my hoodie?” Moms are customer service representatives with snacks.
But seriously, Happy Mother’s Day. We are so thankful for the women who shape us, love us, sacrifice for us, and carry so much weight behind the scenes. At the same time, we know this day is complicated for many people. Some are grieving the loss of a mom. Some carry painful memories and strained relationships. Some have longed to become moms and know the ache of unanswered prayers. We see you and honor you too.
Some of the most significant things in life are things you rarely notice. Oxygen. The foundation underneath your home. Tree roots beneath the ground. The things that matter most are often things you never see.
In 2 Kings 4, a widow comes to Elisha in desperation. Her husband has died, creditors are coming, and her sons are at risk of being taken into slavery. Elisha asks her an interesting question: “What do you have in your house?” Her answer seems insignificant: “Nothing at all except a small jar of olive oil.”
That tiny jar became the starting point for a miracle.
Elisha tells her to gather empty jars and begin pouring. The miracle didn’t begin with something impressive. It began with what she already had. The breakthrough happened through faithful pouring. Pour the oil into the jar. Keep pouring. Get another jar. Keep pouring.
The miracle was found in ordinary faithfulness. That’s how the Kingdom of God often works.
What seems small in your hands becomes powerful in God’s hands.
For many of us, the modern equivalent of olive oil might be something as ordinary as laundry detergent. Imagine someone telling you: “Take the laundry you keep folding day after day, and somehow God is going to use it to provide for your family.” It sounds ridiculous. But that’s exactly the point. The things that appear insignificant are often deeply significant in God’s Kingdom.
Packing lunches. Folding laundry. Driving to practice. Showing up for work. Praying for your kids. Reading your Bible when you don’t feel anything. Going to counseling. Forgiving again. Having the hard conversation. Saying “I love you” out loud.
Pour the oil into the jar.
In John 6, Jesus feeds the five thousand using a little boy’s lunch—five small loaves and two fish. The boy was almost an afterthought in the story. The disciples were focused on impossibility. Yet Jesus used something small and overlooked to perform a miracle.
Never underestimate the power of consistent faithfulness.
Sometimes what changes people most isn’t the big flashy moment, but the steady care shown over time. Just this week we had a server at LongHorn Steakhouse who made our night memorable—not because of the steak itself, but because of the attentiveness, kindness, and thoughtfulness. The little things mattered.
Acts 10 tells the story of Cornelius, a Roman centurion who became instrumental in the spread of the gospel to Gentiles. What got God’s attention? Not military power. Not influence. Cornelius prayed consistently and gave generously. He prayed. And he gave. Faithful, ordinary obedience mattered.
The Kingdom of God often works through what appears weak, unnoticed, or unimpressive.
That’s why Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:27 that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
The cross is the greatest example of this truth. The cross wasn’t hidden. It was public. It was brutal. But people misunderstood what they were seeing. What looked like weakness was actually victory. What looked like defeat was the moment God was accomplishing salvation for the world.
Don’t confuse appearance with impact.
You may feel unseen right now. You may feel like your efforts don’t matter. But the prayers, sacrifices, consistency, generosity, and faithfulness you keep pouring out may be accomplishing more than you realize.
The cross didn’t look powerful—but it changed everything.
And many of the ordinary acts of obedience in your life may not look impressive either. But don’t confuse appearance with impact. This isn’t just true for moms. This is how the Kingdom of God works.