Magnanimity and the Day of Small Things

Magnanimity. Have you ever heard a more powerful word or contemplated a more all-encompassing vision of character? CM herself often held this ideal up as the goal of our efforts "- that stability of mind and magnanimity of character which are the proper outcome and the unfailing test of a liberal education" (A Philosophy of Education Vol 6. p248.) Karen Andreola defines magnanimity as "generosity or nobility of mind or greatness of spirit that comes about through a combination of high thinking and lowly living. A magnanimous person thinks great thoughts but is also generous in overlooking insult or injury" (A Charlotte Mason Companion p277) And the great Noah Webster in his classic 1828 dictionary muses that magnanimity is "greatness of mind; that elevation or dignity of soul, which encounters danger and trouble with tranquility and firmness, which raises the possessor above revenge, and makes him delight in acts of benevolence, which makes him disdain injustice and meanness, and prompts him to sacrifice personal ease, interest and safety for the accomplishment of useful and noble objects." (see http://1828.mshaffer.com/)

At our last WHHE meeting (high school portion) we explored this concept and I must admit sitting together around a warm fire, sharing thoughts about such weighty concepts was inspiring, and gave me the sense that perhaps this was something attainable, certainly a quality worth contemplating and pursuing.

This morning however, as the cold grey light of dawn came seeping into my room, I could feel the protest rising up inside my heart. I live in a real life home, one filled with dirty dishes, unwashed socks and rampant hormones. My children are often irritable, grumpy and resistant to their music practice and math homework. The dog needs walking regularly and my beautiful hardwood floors are getting scratched by her claws. "Magnanimous" is not really an adjective I would apply to the month of January, nor to the wrinkles and gray hairs I continually discover in that smudged looking glass that greets me each morning in the bathroom. It seems the word "magnanimity" is about to fly off the page and lodge somewhere high up out of reach behind the cobweb dangling from the corner of my living room. A deep sigh escapes as I realize the lofty vision of Charlotte Mason is perhaps not something that really matches my day to day reality.

As our family settles down this morning to read together from the books of Ezra and Zechariah a little verse grabs my attention "Who despises the day of small things? Zechariah 4:10 (NIV) Some versions translate it "do not despise the day of small beginnings." But wait? This story is about the building of the second temple in Jerusalem, surely a great, magnanimous project if there ever was one! The mention of small things seems out of place here. Throughout the day this verse keeps whispering to my soul and I must sit down and pay attention. I look again, I strive to hear, I read the words, they are like water pouring on dry ground.

" Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel..."

I contemplate the story... The exiles are returning from Babylon back to Jerusalem. Zerubbabel and company have an incredible task ahead of them, the temple is in ruins, the people scattered, difficult and opposing voices surround them on every side. I imagine the incredible amount of organization and communication that must take place for this task to be accomplished. Hundreds of people, countless hours, painstaking detailed work. Talk about an overwhelming task, a never ending to-do list! I look again. The house of the Lord was being built... the Temple, a place where God dwells on earth, the place where God had chosen to meet with His children, to provide for them, the great foreshadowing of what was to come...The story is ripe with symbolism and the presence of Christ is tangible. Christ the foundation, the cornerstone.... I listen...

I am home-maker, a mother, a daughter of the living God.. The daily tasks I am called to complete often seem small, insignificant, ordinary and at times overwhelming...cleaning, baking, organizing, intervening, communicating.....each day requiring so much energy, patience, willingness.... what am I really doing?....Slowly as I let the word of God seep into my soul a familiar story emerges...a light flickers.. I Cor 3:16..."Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and God's spirit lives in you?" I too, like Zerubbabel am called to build, to nurture into life places where God can dwell. Christ the cornerstone, the only foundation... My own heart submitted to Christ and that of each of my children are dwelling places for the Holy Spirit of God, we are little "Temples".... Indeed.

I wonder... perhaps this ancient story is not so ancient, perhaps Zerubbabel might even feel at home with a group of homeschooling moms... could it be so? Do not despise the day of small things..... for they lead to great endings... do not despise the day of small things.... because in God's great story we are all destined for unimaginable glory... though the stones must be first hewn, shaped, and positioned with care. Though the foundation must be true.... The daily small things..... the daily ordinary tasks are leading somewhere. Every cup of water, every bowl of hot oatmeal, each harsh word restrained, each day choosing to persevere in spite of opposition, each day like a stone in the wall... do not despise them... embrace the small things...for in God's Kingdom it is the small things that lead to greatness... it is the humble that will be exalted, and whoever desires to be great among you must become as a little child. Jesus reminds us " He who is least among you all - he is the greatest" Luke 4:46-48

This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord Almighty." Zechariah 4:6. It is also the word of the Lord to me. Magnanimity and small things. They go hand in hand. I reach for my daughters hand and give her a hug. She looks at me curiously... "Just a small thing" I say and together we smile.

Written by Sandy Moore