Why The Small Things Matter More Than You Think

“I found money!!” my son exclaimed, proudly holding up a grimy penny he had discovered on the asphalt. He was thrilled to drop it into his piggy bank at home—completely unfazed by the fact that it was worth only one cent.

Later that evening, I said to my husband, “I wonder how often anyone will even find pennies anymore now that they’re being discontinued. Maybe someday we’ll be more excited about them.”

How much like life, I realized.

We are quick to discount the “one-cent” moments—the ordinary, repeatable, day-to-day pieces of our lives—while longing for something bigger, flashier, or more exciting. And yet, it’s often only in hindsight that we recognize just how valuable those small moments really were.

That idea followed me later as I read a headline about Christian bestselling author and former Christianity Today editor Philip Yancey admitting to an eight-year affair with a married woman. It’s jarring news—especially when it involves someone whose life and work centered on faith.

But as I sat with it, I realized something important: stories like this rarely begin with a single, catastrophic decision. They almost always begin with a penny.

A lingering conversation that should have ended sooner. A thought left unchecked. A boundary quietly lowered “just this once.” One cent. Then another. Then another. Over time, those small choices compound—until the cost is far greater than anyone ever imagined.

Sin doesn’t usually announce itself with a thousand-dollar price tag. It sneaks in quietly, disguised as something small, manageable, and insignificant.

And yet, in that same story, we see the power of "pennies" working in the opposite direction. Yancey’s wife has chosen to stay with him, faithfully caring for him as he battles Parkinson’s disease. When asked why, she simply said, “I made a vow, and I intend to keep it.”

That kind of love doesn’t appear out of nowhere. It’s built the same way—through a lifetime of one-cent decisions. Choosing forgiveness when bitterness would be easier. Choosing faithfulness when walking away would hurt less. Choosing to keep showing up, again and again.

One story. Two trajectories. Both shaped by small, repeated choices.

Our culture wants the thousand dollars without dealing with the pennies, failing to realize that pennies are often what make or break a thousand dollars.

Little things add up to big things.

One negative thought can open the door to a flood of negativity. One sharp word followed by another can create a deep rift. One lazy moment, one indulgence, one unguarded choice—each may seem insignificant, but they quietly move us from A to B to C… all the way to Z: an unhealthy heart, home, or life.

But the opposite is also true.

A kind word. Gratitude. Resisting temptation. Choosing to put someone else first. These are all one-cent deposits—and over time, they compound into something priceless.

As moms, we can undervalue these one-cent moments: the snuggles on the couch, the conversations in the car on the way to school, reading together before bed. They may feel small or easily missed, but they are invaluable investments in our children’s lives.

As wives, we can overlook the power of small acts too—kissing goodnight, making eye contact, saying “thank you” instead of nitpicking.

As Christians, we can dismiss the impact of a 30-second prayer for help, or five minutes in the Bible.

Missing these things once or twice doesn’t seem like a big deal. But missing them every time slowly and steadily alters the trajectory of our homes and hearts.

The government may be discontinuing pennies, but we shouldn’t do the same in our families. There is something deeply meaningful about learning to find joy in simple things. Life isn’t made up of extravagant vacations, big promotions, or impressive achievements. Life is built from billions of small moments and choices.

Here are a few “one-cent” moments I’m intentionally choosing more of this year:

• Read the Bible. It may sound “Christianese,” but it truly changes the way we think, feel, and live. Even five minutes a day makes a difference. Romans 12:2  "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may be able to test and approve what God's will is." Psalm 119:9 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word."
  

• Pray. Pray to love your husband and kids well. Pray for protection, forgiveness, strength, and healing. James 5:16 "The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective."
  

• Say “thank you.” Gratitude helps people feel seen and valued. Studies even show that gratitude is one of the strongest predictors of a lasting marriage.
  

• Use intentional, encouraging words. A note in a lunchbox or on a dashboard can stay with someone far longer than we realize. When I was in elementary school my mom always wrote a short note on the napkin in my lunch and it made me feel loved and important to her.
  

• Choose uplifting music and TV. What sticks in our heads often shapes our attitudes and desires.
  

• Kiss your spouse every day. Hello. Goodbye. Goodnight.  A study in the 1980s showed that men who kissed their wife everyday before work lived an average of five years longer, were more successful at work earning up to 30 percent more, and even had fewer car accidents. Other studies have show it can improve immune systems, mood and more.
  

• Look up and make eye contact. Put the phone down. Pause the task. Listen fully.

  
  

These one-cent moments don’t require more time, energy, or resources—but when practiced consistently, they pack a big punch.

This isn’t meant to be another overwhelming list of New Year’s resolutions. It’s simply an invitation to pause and choose one small, right thing at a time.

Because over time, those small choices create a ripple effect—one that shapes our marriages, our children, our faith, and the legacy we leave behind.

So today, be excited about the pennies. Pick them up. Save them. Celebrate them.

*Edits by Ashley's Assistant