I went out with two phenomenal soul sister friends to talk about and celebrate our successes in the first quarter (that’s mature woman speak for January, February and March- ha!). This time, we made an entire event out of it, we got dressed up, although I will say that once I heard that we would be walking, I ditched my high heel boots for my cute lil sneakers. And that’s totally fine, I was still cute, obvs. We put on makeup, got dressed up, I would say we did our hair, but when your hair is all of 3 millimeters, there’s not much hair needs to be done. HA! First we took pics at a secret location (inquire within for details) and then we broke bread at a phenomenal restaurant in DC. We took turns sharing our Q1 wins and what our hopes and plans are for the second quarter.
To my surprise, my single biggest win is that in this quarter, I allowed myself several new small beginnings. Oftentimes, we- I? is it only me?! I know it’s not and I know I’m supposed to talk only about myself or whatever but I am you, and you is me, and we is we so I won’t!- overlook small beginnings, we want to get to the big end without the small beginning. We want to get to the big end with a big beginning. But sometimes we don’t even have the capacity for big beginnings. Babes, if we’re keeping it really real, making it to the starting line in and of itself is a major accomplishment.
My grand accomplishment for the first quarter of 2024 was allowing myself small beginnings, and several of them. Sometimes I feel compelled to do something small. And other times, I reverse engineer my success by starting with the vision, breaking it down into and creating achievable goals, and then creating actionable steps to achieve the goals and live out my vision.. And inevitably that works! But sometimes I just do things because I have so much energy and fire within me that I must surrender, I must release, and I need to find a way to let it escape, to let out all that is within me. To release some of the fire so I do not consume myself.
And so sometimes I do intentional small beginnings. And sometimes small beginnings feel like a waste of time. But small beginnings are just that– they are small. And they are sacred. And they are divine.
And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
Romans 8:28 AMP
And because I know that with God, nothing is wasted, I can truly cherish each small beginning. I mean, I say that now after coming to know this capital t Truth in the stillness. I assure you that I was upset and frustrated and impatient. Earlier today talking with one of my vision partners, I was upset and frustrated and impatient at all of my small beginnings, trying to convince myself that the small beginnings are worth something. Wanting desperately to get to the end. To see my labor rewarded. And when I don’t forget to remember, I remind myself with big love: “I have enough time. I have enough love. I have enough money.”
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)
Zechariah 4:10 NLT
Small beginnings are worthy because God rejoices in our small beginnings. And the truth of the matter is that on my drive home from dinner, I reflected on all of my small beginnings, each and every one of them or at least the ones that I can remember. And what it boils down to, for me, is this: the smallest starts matter most.