Giving Thanks For Small Beginnings

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giving thanks for small beginningsHave you been entrusted with anything small that you would like to see grow? You can. The growth you long for starts with giving thanks for small beginnings.

Your small beginning could look like any number of things:

  • A teeny, tiny savings account that you’d like to add to;
  • One simple gig leading worship, when you dream of leading worship full-time;
  • A date with a godly man or woman, when you’re single and haven’t had a date in years; or
  • An interview with a good company, when you’ve been out of work for 8 months.

The examples we could give of small beginnings are endless. No matter what your small beginning looks like, though, you can see your tiny start become the root of a big thing in your life. How?

By giving thanks to God for the small beginnings He entrusts to us.

In Zechariah 4:9-10, God Himself says:

“‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands shall also finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the Lord, which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth’” (emphasis mine).

In this passage, God is pointing out that the foundation of the temple in Jerusalem had been rebuilt, and that the entire temple would be reconstructed as well–and by the same man. God Himself then pointed out that we should not despise the day of small things–small beginnings. Every large project begins somewhere, and every mighty deed begins with a foundation.

Yesterday, someone insinuated to me that this blog was insignificant because it doesn’t make a lot of money.

It’s true; this blog doesn’t make much money. It doesn’t even pay for itself yet. Its only income is from the ads you see on the left, and from sales of my teaching mp3s (and I only have one teaching mp3 so far–but it’s really good, and you should definitely buy it today if you haven’t already). 😉

2017 update: The Lord now uses this blog and the generous gifts from YOU, our precious community, to allow me to work full-time as a domestic missionary. Also, we are now reaching well over 100,000 pageviews per month. But I haven’t changed the wording above or below, because I want you to see how much the Lord has done! He can do the same for you, in your small thing!

But you know what?

This blog is very significant to me. It’s my small beginning.

Is it still tiny? Yes. Most months, I get between 2,000 and 3,000 pageviews per month. In the world of blogging, that’s very small. But I am so very thankful for what God has done with this blog in the 14 months I’ve been blogging:

  • I’m thankful because you, my readers, leave comments that say you have encountered the love of Jesus in my posts.
  • I’m thankful because Google Analytics tells me that people find my blog by searching for things like “how to feel like God loves me,” “how to be free from pornography,” “healed after my abortion,” and “prayer for those that hate you.” Every time someone finds me by searching for a subject like that, I’m able to touch hurting, broken people with the healing found in Christ Jesus.
  • I’m thankful because all of you who read, comment, follow me on Facebook, and subscribe to my posts by email are such an encouragement to me.
  • I’m thankful because, since I began blogging, there have been 25,401 visits to my blog to date. That means I’ve been able to encourage, comfort, and preach the Gospel to people 25,401 times in the last 14 months.

Look what the Lord has done.

I’m so very thankful. I’m thankful for what Papa has entrusted to me so far, and I’m thankful for YOU. (Thank you for your support, readership, email subscription, emails, Facebook and Twitter shares, and comments. THANK YOU.)

I’m also believing God to grow all of the above, and that growth starts with giving thanks for small beginnings. It starts with acknowledging what God HAS done, rather than looking at what He has not done yet. This is a huge Kingdom principle. Jesus said:

“For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him” (Matthew 13:12).

When we give thanks for the small beginnings Papa has entrusted to us, He gives us more.

Related: To Him Who Has, More Will Be Given

What do you need to thank God for today? Your tiny savings account? Your retail job that you don’t love, but that at least puts food on your table? Your teeny-tiny ministry teaching Sunday School every week?

God cares about your dreams. He wants to increase you in every area of your life. It starts with giving thanks for small beginnings.

Will you thank God for your small beginnings today?

Image courtesy of amenic181 / freedigitalphotos.net.

12 Comments

  1. Angela Bley says:

    Hi Jamie,
    Thank you so much for the encouraging blog today. I needed to hear that my small beginnings will grow and that it takes times to get there. There’s no harvest without the work of laboring.
    Keep on encouraging! You are a blessing to many!
    Angela

    1. Thank you, Angela! You are going to get there! You’re laying a foundation right now and that foundation is going to be the start of a great harvest for you, in many ways. Love you!

  2. Katie Reynolds says:

    I love this word. I rejoice in small, new beginnings. Just as above, where the temple is being rebuilt, I am on the journey of rebuilding my life following the loss of my career as a nurse among other things. While I am in the process of attempting to regain my RN license, of all the various jobs In which I applied, my church would be the place that gave me a chance. It’s a part time position and in the eyes of man probably not very important. One of the duties I perform involves janitorial work. As I’m scrubbing that toilet or wiping down that counter, I’m thanking my Redeemer that ” I’m ok and on my way.” I thank Him for the work behind the wait. I thank Him for the opportunity to serve Him. I ask Him to help me bring glory to His Name in anything I do no matter how small. I think about the scripture in Colossians 3:23 which says, “Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men…” Some days it really is a battle of the mind. The enemy loves to tell me all sorts of lies but today I know Truth. It’s up to me to wield It.

    1. Oh Katie, you are doing so good! I am so proud of you! There’s nothing more important than walking before the Lord in white–in holiness and purity. As you seek our Papa, He will rebuild your life and bring blessings untold! Look at where you are now in comparison to where you must have been a few years ago… and imagine where you might be at this time next year! Isn’t Papa good? He loves you so much! Hang in there with Him. I’m so grateful for you and your humble heart. Hugs!

  3. Dawn Coulter says:

    I’m thankful that you devote yourself to the Lord and that results in many changed lives. I’m thankful that the Lord looks at each life as equally important. One changed life is significant. One person encouraged is significant. One wound healed is significant. Each one of the thousands that you reach are equally significant. Thank you seeing value in each person individually and pouring your heart out to fulfill your ministry.

    1. Thank you, Dawn. 🙂 Right back atcha, my church-planting, missionary, evangelizing sister!

  4. First , I want to say that your blog is cool. I have been greatly blessed by it. Many a times as I read your blog , I felt the Lord pin pointing exactly what am going through , like today’s blog. I too feel the Lord telling me to be thankful for the small beginnings. Sometimes it’s hard knowing how big requests I make before him …. I thank you Father for the small beginnings you have and are doing into my life, I give you all the Glory.
    Thanks Jamie

  5. I tell my children all the time to not despise humble beginnings because so much character is established. I truly feel like it helps us to become rooted and grounded , not only in Christ love for us but helps us to be good stewards for things that Father God wants to bless us with in the future. And Jamie, your ministry has certainly expanded over the years. And I believe that it’s because of your faithfulness. Many, many blessings to you sweet sister in Christ ???

  6. Violet Gutierrez says:

    Thanks this made me think about what are my small beginnings and to not think of them as just that, small beginnings and not failure. It’s easy to be grateful when things are looking up for me but when they seem stagnant or going bad then I seem to quiet on my gratefulness. I need to remind myself and write it down. I have a shelf where hang notes from where I write things God has done in my small and big but I need to write more. Thanks for the reminder

  7. Yes and God has for quite some time been dealing with me about being Grateful/Thankful for all things Great or Small! I want to Thank you again for the link for the song “No Longer Slaves to Fear” sung by Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger (Bethel Church) on You Tube! I have played it so many times and something happens each time I know the Holy Spirit is right there with me and I feel so much better no matter what and I Praise God for His Love & Mercy!!!
    Thank you Jamie and God Bless you and Multiply you 1000 times more!!
    Love in Christ

  8. Grace Whatley says:

    I found your post really just by looking for encouragement. And there you were. I have been blessed by your kind and encouraging words that always line up with God’s word. I find myself early in the morning looking to be calmer; less anxious; and your words speak into me and help me in many ways. To God be the Glory; may He provide all your resources for a successful and prospering mininstry so you can/ will continue sharing His love for the world through His Son, Jesus Christ. You inspire me to be a better Christian. Thank you Sister.

  9. Paul Israel says:

    I’m really blessed. I wish I discovered this blog before. God bless you pastor. I have never got such powerful teachings

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