Small Beginnings...

Repost: Needed the reminder. :) 

Ever felt miserably small? Or wonder if you're stirring the water at all?

I think, at a certain point in all our lives we get a glimpse of our significance. Becoming a spouse. Birthing a child. Making a discovery. Creating something special. Touching someone's life. Achieving a certain success. These are glorious moments of triumph that don't often last as long as we need them to. The initial impact might still be making waves in the distance, but those are beyond our reach. From where we stand, nothing looks different than before. Of course, there are other times--coming with more frequency and ease--that can reduce our influence to a drop of a pebble in still water, the ripples barely inching out before the status quo returns.

The thing of it is... beginnings, while they might seem enormous in all their newness and splash, often start feeling small... especially when compared with others.

It's impossible not to notice someone else effortlessly cruising on by in their mega-yacht, while you are treading with all you've got in your silly little water-wings, sputtering on their wake and fighting to keep your head above water.

Some of us are natural born swimmers, playing to our strengths, but still miles behind that luxury liner. Others have to fight the tide every gasping stroke. But we all have to start somewhere and we're each fighting for some version of that big moment when we hit just the right stride and start smooth sailing.

Last year was a year of many beginnings for me. And let me tell you, no amount of natural talent or self-confidence will guarantee you a spot on that ship. But as much we may try to make all our beginnings big and bold and beautiful, well... sometimes we are just reminded how small we really are.

And I felt small this past week. Having a moment where I felt acutely aware of the futility of one gigantic effort. Let me tell you, feeling small doesn't feel good.

But then my mom (wise wonderful woman that she is) reminded me of this scripture.

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin...

                                             -Zechariah 4:10

It struck me like a fist to the gut. O ye of little faith. I felt like I was staring down at five loaves and two fish to feed the multitudes, my doubts and unbelief superseding all the confidence keeping my hopes afloat. You see, I can increase my efforts and use what I've been given... but I can not multiply those rations. It is simply not in my power. But there is a source of wisdom, provision, and favor right there in my battered little dinghy getting tossed by the waves. You just gotta trust Who's in your boat, and realize that it's okay to start small. Some of the very best things do and they also don't sprout up overnight. The first spark of attraction. Those first inklings of love more often than not trickle in when your not looking instead of slamming you with the force of a monsoon. That first little heartbeat on a monitor, or those first flutters of movement in your swelling stomach. The long months of nurturing that little life until that tiny fist can curl around your finger. Small beginnings. Or even your friendships. Your promotion. Your story. Your publishing journey and your success as an author. Do not despise these small beginnings. You are where you're at for a time and for a reason.

And if you step back and get some perspective, you might just find joy you would have otherwise missed. Even right there on your little dinghy. :)

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Amy Leigh Simpson writes romantic mysteries with honesty and humor, sweetness and spice, and gritty reality covered by grace. When she’s not stealing moments at naptime to squeeze out a few more adventures in storyland, she’s chasing around two tow-headed miscreants (Ahem)—boys, playing dress up with one sweet princess baby, and being the very blessed wife to the coolest, most swoon-worthy man alive. Amy is a Midwestern-girl, a singer, blogger, runner, coffee-addict, and foodie. Her Sports Medicine degree is wasted patching up daily boo boo’s, but whatever is left usually finds its way onto the page with fluttering hearts, blood and guts, and scars that lead to happily ever after.

Check out her NEW romantic mystery novel FROM WINTER'S ASHES! Available NOW!