small beginnings
For who dares make light of small beginnings?
Zechariah 4:10
Oh when your family knows you so well…
You know how some Christmases are memorable because of a favorite gift or funny story? This Christmas was one of those for us.
We had several gatherings with extended family. During the first one, Steven and I received a Birdfy camera bird feeder. We have been avid birdwatchers for many years and were so excited!
Later that day, our children gave us their present…the exact same camera bird feeder! And then a little later, because he just couldn’t contain the craziness, Steven gave me his gift - a third camera bird feeder! I will never forget this Christmas!!!
Having exchanged two of the feeders, we went to Wild Birds Unlimited to replace our worn bird feeding station. As we checked out, the sales person recommended, “Just put out a small amount of food in the beginning. It can take a few days for the birds to find a new feeder.”
It reminds me that small things can draw people in, too…
Little acts of love, kind words, acts of service, can seem like small beginnings - but only God knows what He might do with them.
We, like birds looking for seed, are searching for love to replace the brokenness of the world. Here, small things can begin to fill the holes in our lives.
And even as we receive, we also give. When we offer small gifts from a heart of kindness, people are drawn to us. They want to be in the presence of that selfless love, even if they don’t understand it.
God gives us opportunities every day to do small things; we need only be on the lookout for them. A smile. A door held open. An interest in someone’s day. It’s not the magnitude of what we do - it’s the love with which we do it.
Christ’s love.
Every small thing done in kindness is a seed of Christ’s love planted in the world. Only God can make that seed grow, and what if He causes the small things to flourish? What if the door opens wide for us to share our hope and faith?
Do not despise the small things, but treasure the opportunity of them.
Small beginnings . . . with great love.
Today is a GOOD day,
Natalie