The Power of Lagniappe

A Little Extra That Changes Everything

This is arguably part 2 to my last post about exceptionally average, or maybe it’s how one becomes exceptionally average. There’s a Cajun word I’ve always loved—lagniappe. It means “a little something extra.” Like when the barista tosses in an extra cookie with your coffee, or a friend leaves a handwritten note inside the gift bag.

It’s not required. It’s not extravagant.
It’s just… more than expected.

And lately, I’ve been wondering:
What if I brought that mindset into every area of my life?

Not striving for perfection.
Not chasing the elite version of everything.
Just adding a little extra effort—a little more intention, grace, or consistency—to the things that matter most.

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Jesus Actually Talked About This

In Matthew 5:41, Jesus says:

“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two.”

That’s lagniappe.
Not because you have to. But because you choose to.
A little more love. A little more service. A little more faithfulness—on purpose.

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What Might Lagniappe Look Like in Real Life?

Spiritually:
You attend church, pray, tithe, and spend time in the Word. What’s your lagniappe?
Maybe it’s praying with your spouse. Fasting once a month. Serving somewhere uncomfortable. That extra mile deepens your roots.

Health:
You move your body, you eat fairly well (most days), and you’re trying to take care of yourself.
What’s your lagniappe?
Drinking more water? Managing stress better? Saying “no” to that sweet tooth just once today? One small change could shift your whole trajectory.

Marriage:
You’re faithful, kind, and doing okay.
But what if you added one thoughtful gesture this week? A love note. A long hug. A real conversation that doesn’t involve a screen.
That’s the power of a little extra.

Finances:
You budget. You save. You give.
What if your lagniappe was paying off that last bit of debt? Giving above your tithe this month? Reworking your budget to align even more with your values?

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Here’s the Point:

You don’t need to overhaul your life.
You don’t need to be elite.
You just need to go the extra mile Jesus talked about.

Most of the transformation we long for doesn’t come from huge leaps—it comes from small, steady, Spirit-led steps.

That’s lagniappe.
And with God’s help, it might just change everything.

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What would happen if you added “a little something extra” to your faith, your health, your relationships, or your finances this week?

Let’s find out—one extra mile at a time.

#LagniappeLiving #FaithfulGrowth #Matthew541 #ALittleExtraBigChange