I confess.  I want my life, my faith, my ministry, answers to prayer full grown.  I want them now.  I don’t like the hard, long, waiting times, the-start-small-and-watch-it-grow times.

God, however, seems to be perfectly happy with small things and small beginnings:

a small tribe that births a Messiah

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”

Micah 5:2   NIV

small coins given with a wide-open heart,

But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.”  Mark 12:4243   NIV

small fish, small loaves given to be multiplied,

His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”

“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”  . . .

They all ate and were satisfied.  Matthew 15:33,34, 37

small seeds that grow into mighty plants,

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”   Matthew 13:31,32

small children presented to be blessed,

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Mark 10:13-16   NIV

small bricks stacked and mortared together to build a mighty wall.

. . . the Word of God came to me: “Zerubbabel started rebuilding this Temple and he will complete it. That will be your confirmation that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me to you. Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!”   Zechariah 4:8-10   MSG

Who dares despise the day of small things . . . ?  Zechariah 4:10   NIV

Who, indeed?  Lord, teach me to give thanks for small beginnings, as you did, and help me to wait for the miracle.

When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.  The people ate and were satisfied.   Mark 8:6-8   NIV

sunflower photo by Barb Briggs

linking with Lisa Jo Baker

(five minutes of writing, extra time to add Scripture quotes and photos)

linking with Jennifer Dukes Lee

linking with Holly Gerth