Don't Despise Small Beginnings

Be patient with new beginnings - don't despise them.

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand." Zechariah 4:10

This is kind of where I am in my life right now. I'm starting something new (again) and it's frustrating not being able to see the end of something. The little things we do in life seem to really have no significance at first, but I think with gratitude and appreciation our attitude towards something can change. Then looking back, we can see how the pieces fit into the puzzle.

When I think of this scripture, I think of when the flowers begin blooming in the Spring. It's funny because I never took time to notice the actual budding process until last year, when I bought my first DSLR camera. I never slowed down enough to stop, look, and appreciate something so small yet significant.

Outside of my apartment window there are a few bushes. Last winter was a pretty rough season for me. It was cold, gloomy, and God was chastening me in a way I've never experienced. So, when Spring (finally) began to roll around, I was, for some reason, super excited as I noticed all the popping colors. Outside of my window, I noticed the first sign of this bush coming back to life. I had gotten pretty used to seeing bare branches - not having those colors from the plants around me kind of does something to my mood. Though it was a very small budding that anyone would normally not appreciate, I did. I noticed the little green budding on the side of the branch, which turned to yellow, which then turned back to green and eventually blossomed into a beautiful bush.

Then, the Lord led me to take a walk in this beautiful part of the city one morning - camera around my neck with my iced coffee in my hand. I remember this day vividly because I was filled with so much Joy and peace that day - It was my time to be alone with the Lord and appreciate his work. I remember walking around and even the smallest things would catch my eye - Something I never took notice of now caught my attention and I knew it was God trying to tell me something.

I wasn't able to get a picture of a fully blossomed tree because it was too early in the season. But what I did capture was still beautiful - simple, but beautiful.

Be encouraged. Be patient in the small beginnings, don't despise them - because they could bloom into something beautiful!