One Step At A Time - The game of life is won, one step at a time. It isn't the giant pitfalls that catch us unaware, it's those little things that sometimes remain undone because we think that they are uneccessary and minute. Those "small things" could spell the difference between victory and certain defeat. In the Christian life it is those short stops in our day for prayer that fuel our spirit that causes us to move joyfully through our day. A day without God is not to be present in a Christian's life. Jesus was victorious because He did the "little things." Little things mean a lot!

During one brief spell in the 1997-98 bas­ketball season, the Tigers of Louisiana State Uni­versity lost two close games. The team missed two free throws in the final seconds of a two ­point loss at Arkansas, then missed twenty free throws against Alabama in a 60-57 loss. Coach John Brady said: If we could have make 3 free throws at Arkansas and 2 free throws against Alabama, we're 2-0 in the league and everybody thinks we're pretty great." Consider this: a free throw counts for just one point - one tiny point in a game where more than a hundred are scored by the two teams com­bined. Yet one missed free throw can make the difference between a loss or a victory.

In our own lives, sometimes the tiniest thing can make all the difference: a single warm smile, a handwritten note of encouragement, a warm handshake, a few moments of quiet prayer be­fore starting the day, or a few minutes of listening to the burdens of a loved one. A flower sent or a call on the phone. It doesn't seem like much, but it can make a difference in a person's life!

Just one thing. What a difference it can make. So step to the line and give it your best shot.