What comes to mind when I see the words “steady and faithful” together are dogs. Especially how they are embodied forms of steadiness and faithfulness.

They follow us through our lives, as living, breathing reminders of presence, and how we orient and where we orient to.

I started here to reflect on steadiness, faithfulness, and obedience to and heeding the voice of the divine within that always steadies us, and guides us. And the dogs came through first. It feels appropriate.

Recently, I was preparing a space to welcome a pastor couple into a space to rest, rejuvenate, and be more steady to hear the voice of God. I had a conversation with the owners of this little apartment by the sea, where we are preparing the room for this couple. The owners are also a ministry couple, who have stayed faithful for many years, through storms and turmoil, and through the light that always shines through.

She shared with me their vision for this space, and how it connected so much with our own vision to support people into deeper stillness and communion with God. She shared with me how it stoked a fire in them and their own steady vision through the years. And I reflect on so many other aspects of their own story and journey from different lands, of my own, and my husband’s, and how we somehow—through divine guidance and infinite mystery and knowing—have all crossed paths here, on a Spanish shore.

We come from vastly different backgrounds, timelines, and places; and yet, here we are in the Mediterranean—each walking our journey, following that call within, and listening to divine voice that whispers to each of us every step of the way.

What strikes me and moves me so much are the humble beginnings, the profound impact that our actions can have, and what following that voice can do for situations, and the impact it can have in real people’s lives. Her own life journey and what brought her here today was profoundly influenced by another man in ministry, and he only knew how much so 40 years later, through the welling of tears and the waves of emotion in his heart. I imagine he felt comforted knowing how his own walk through life became a steady beacon in another’s.

We are not always shown the direct impact or influence that we have, but when we listen to what’s in our hearts, and to that still small voice, we are being faithful and obedient, and we are consciously or unconsciously playing out a much larger design of God and divinity at work in the world.

In those moments when we think we are alone, it is far from the truth.

I’m just in wonder and awe at how much this world and our lives are stitched together by God, a divine essence that flows through all of it. From before inception, to our first breath and last.

And an alternate title for this reflection would be “the little things.”

I hope this can be a reminder for you that the little things in your life, in your everyday decisions, interactions, and paths you choose to take or not take all have meaning and purpose, and little things can matter much more than you know.