Small Beginnings

      Kicking off my "love month" blogging with a post close to my heart. I've been pondering these thoughts for a while now and hope in sharing it will encourage others. I feel my age group started college at a time when job salaries were high, opportunities were wide open, and "dreams" came true quickly. Enter the struggling economy. Remain the same mindset. The combination equals an incredibly humbling and often (well mostly) frustrating experience. Yet in the midst of it all a really simple, but hopeful and encouraging lesson ensues. Faithfulness in the small things takes on a whole new meaning. Having to learn to value a seemingly small beginning... Asking, truely, what wishes and desires were (and are) mine...which ones are the Lord's? Challenging myself on doubting the plans and hand of God. Because I know "better. I know "that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28)." If I trust, an enlightening journey emanates.... 

      On a small seemingly small beginning - I cannot begin to express the excitement I felt and still feel over the direction God can take you and use you on the roads least expected. God showed me and TC a LOT in our first year of marriage. My own picture perfect was challenged - our own picture perfect was challenged. Our aspirations were checked. Our habits were evaluated. What if that very reaction was the reason for the small beginning? What if the "reason" is even greater than that? "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin... (Zechariah 4:10a)." How unbelievably refreshing - to know you can trust He is at work, and that He rejoices in the small steps...in the small beginnings. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)." How unbelievably refreshing to know He knows the ending - He holds the future. Why would I put down a small beginning? Even the Kingdom of God in Mark 4 is compared to a mustard seed, the smallest on the earth, "yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade." A small beginning. A big ending. Why would I doubt my loving Heavenly Father?

      My challenge to any single adult, to any newly married couple or soon to be married couple is trust in the Lord, delight yourself in Him, trust He is working on your behalf as you follow after Him, be faithful in the small steps, be faithful in the not-so-ideal-job, be faithful in stewardship, be faithful in your efforts, be faithful to the Lord who has you safely in the palms of His hands. I encourage you to lay aside suspected judgments from others, lay aside the "wants" and "stuffitis" (as Dave Ramsey calls it), be content in "whatsoever state you find yourself in" - continuing to trust the Lord for His provision, and lay aside the need for immediate satisfaction in worldly measures. My little ideal scenario was shaken....for the better. I stand back in amazement at the work of God evident in my and TC's life. It's exciting.

      In this season, is it possible God is preparing you for a greater purpose? Is he working on your heart to bring you to a place He can move in and through you in a mighty way? Is he leading you through a valley so you glory in Him when you reach the mountaintop? Is he opening doors and setting the stage behind the scenes?

      In a short year and a half...well goodness...even the past 8 years... the connecting of the dots and the pieces of the puzzle latching tightly together inevitably show-off the beautiful handiwork of God. And yet this is such a small view. I cannot fathom the magnificent massivity of the full picture. I'm thankful for a spouse who turns to God first, who understands the bigger picture and who enjoys this crazy journey of life. We've come to love this adventure...the unfolding of a plan....the unveiling of our true dreams...the development of our life passions... and the fulfillment of diligent efforts.

A loving Father. Love. Such love. Love in the small beginnings and love in the big endings.



Psalms 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."