One of my favorite snacks is popcorn. If you spend much time around me, you’ll eventually find me snacking on a bag. I like all kinds of popcorn, from movie theater popcorn to popcorn popped in a pan at home. I like caramel corn, kettle corn, cheese corn, and even microwave popcorn. The list could go on, but I think you get the point.

Last week, I was making popcorn for the family when the inevitable happened; I burned a bag of it in the microwave. I didn’t just burn the popcorn a little; fire alarms actually went off at my house because of the smoke billowing out of the microwave from the burnt popcorn. Fortunately, nothing caught fire. Quickly my entire house was filled with the acrid smell of burnt popcorn. Windows were opened, outside doors were opened, and fans were turned on.

None of this took away the smell very quickly. We cleaned the microwave thoroughly, we even took the vent off and replaced the air filter (I had no idea there was a filter in there before this incident). Still, the smell persisted! It took most of a week for us to not notice that odor anymore.

As I thought back on the incident, I had to figure out how I could have burnt the popcorn. So many other times I have made popcorn in the microwave and not had this type of outcome, there had to be a reason. The reason comes down to this, I pushed the wrong button.

On our microwave, we have a group of “one touch” buttons that can be used for warming up food or cooking specific things like popcorn. As it turns out I had pushed the “potato” button that was right below the “popcorn” button then left the room for a few minutes. That one little mistake unleashed a smell in my house that greatly overstayed its welcome.

This incident reminded me that the details count. It’s a lesson I keep learning throughout my life. We care for one another in the details. It takes little effort to ask someone how they are doing, but to listen with compassion is a detail we often forget. Within that moment of listening are the richer and deeper details of life. In these times we find the extreme elation or crushing disappointments of life. Responding in these moments, to these finer points of life, makes all the difference in any relationship.

The ironic thing is that we often tell ourselves that we don’t have time to listen with compassion to the tone, affect or non-verbal communication from a friend. It’s as if we think the next thing we’re doing is always more important than the person right in front of us. Maybe we like to think of the next detail, rather than the one staring us in the face.

In Ephesians, Paul exhorts us to pay attention to the way in which we live our lives. People are watching, and waiting for someone to notice, these details make a difference. Consider verse 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise. I don’t know what that means for you today, but I do think there are details that, if missed, could lead to missing out on a greater blessing for you and the people around you.

Ephesians 5:15-20

“15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

About the Author: Brian is husband to Dottie and father of two children (Emma 21; Nick 19). Brian has served as Executive Pastor at Real Life Church in Springfield, Il for 16 years. He has maintained a private counseling practice for over 20 years and has worked as a school psychologist for over 25 years. Outside of his work life, you might find him tinkering with old motors, spending time with his family, or fishing lakes and ponds.