How Small Things Demonstrate God’s Great Love by Nora Tatina

by Rachael Adams | Apr 20, 2023 | The Love Offering Guest Blog Series

Since I was a girl, I’ve dreamed of changing the world like it was my destiny. On Christmas and birthdays, I would close my eyes tight, squeeze my hands together, and wish for big things, hoping they would lead to greater things.

As I grew, my dreams turned to disappointments. It was as if the world had stood outside the window of my heart, shouting its prosperity anthem of greater things yet to come. I felt an ultimatum to “go bigger or go home.” A trip across the ocean would prove me wrong.

I met Jackie on a mission trip to the Philippines during my first year of graduate school. Jackie was a sweet sixteen-year-old girl seeking refuge at an organization for women trying to leave prostitution. We sat on the top bunk on our last day together and lingered in the sticky humid heat. I didn’t care. Although we lived oceans apart, I knew God had brought us together.

My heart broke knowing her story. She and her mother would line up on the street corners of Manila each night, awaiting their turn to jump into the next car. How could I board a plane and return to my comfortable life in the USA? I had no idea what to talk about, so I asked a question.

“Jackie, what is your dream?”

“My dream? I dream of going to school,” she answered.

“Jackie, that’s a wonderful dream! I know you can do it,”

“I know I can. But how? I have no money.”

“God can do it! We’ll pray.”

She turned to face me and said, “I’ll miss you! Please, never forget me!”

That day I could not change Jackie’s situation no matter how much my heart desired to. Here was my one chance to change the world…at least her world, and I couldn’t do it.

I reached into my bag, pulled out a teddy bear, and handed it to her. “Jackie, I wish I could give you more, but here’s something I want you to have. It’s my favorite. And now it’s yours. When you squeeze it, I hope it reminds you of our friendship.”

Eleven years later, Jackie and I reunited in a little cafe in Manila. I almost didn’t recognize her, except for her smile. We embraced. We talked. We laughed. We even cried. I learned that our good God hadn’t failed Jackie. Her dream of going to school came true. Jackie was in the process of completing her BA in psychology.

What she said next stunned me. “Ate, do you remember the bear you gave me?” I nodded.

“I still have it! The bear reminds me that the Lord gave me a friend that day, and that friend was you! I’ll never forget you, Nora!

That day, I learned that God doesn’t call us to live extraordinary lives. He calls us to share our lives with others. It is this same message Paul conveys to the church in Thessalonica. “So we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well” (1 Thessalonians 2:8).

God’s purpose for us as believers is to preach the Gospel through how we live our lives. Who knew God would use an insignificant teddy bear to demonstrate His faithful love to a 16-year-old girl.

Today, I refuse to dream big, but I will dream of a faithful God who uses small things to demonstrate His great love.

About the Author:

Nora Tatina was born and raised in the heart of the Inner City of Detroit, Michigan. She came to Christ at an early age through the influence of her mom and dad, Pastor Duwayne and Patricia Darby. Her desire to be used by God led her to do both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Moody Bible Institute and Moody Theological Seminary. She also holds a MA in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) from Biola University and for nearly 10 years has taught ESL at various universities in Chicago. Nora has a passion for studying and teaching God’s Word as well as helping others cultivate a passion for God’s Word. Her husband Rick is the pastor of New Life Community Church in Brookfield, Illinois. They are blessed with the honor of raising two wonderful children, Summer and Christian.