While reflecting on Branson, Missouri and its clean-up in the aftermath of the Leap Day tornado that tore through the center of town, I am reminded of a time a few years ago when I shadowed Peter Herschend on the job. Peter is the co-founder of Silver Dollar City in Branson, one of the most successful theme parks in the country (which thankfully was untouched by Wednesday’s tornado).

On the way to “The City” one morning, Peter suddenly pulled the car over and picked up a pedestrian. In the car he asked this man about a number of things in his life of which Peter was quite knowledgeable. I later found out this man was one of his employees who walks to and from the park every workday. It’s a couple mile hike, but he enjoys it; and whenever Peter sees him going or coming home, he always stops and picks him up… and they talk.

Later that day, in a company meeting of all its employees, individuals were being applauded for milestones reached in their stay with the company. As each one stepped in line to receive an award, I noticed Peter got in line too. Well of course he’d been with the company the longest, he’d been there from the beginning, but that didn’t stop him from seeing himself as an employee as well as a co-founder. Jesus, in and through whom we were created, sees himself as one of us too. He got in line and received what was due. He joined the human caravan.

Little things speak volumes.

These are just two examples of the little things that can make a big difference in the marketplace. How we see ourselves and how we see others are basic to our interaction in the circles we run in, and they manifest themselves in ways that can make a huge difference in the lives of those we influence. Loving my neighbor as I love myself says I am loved and I see my neighbor as being worth loving, too.