Baby Steps

BABY STEPS

By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin,“ - Zechariah‬ ‭4:10‬a NLT‬‬

Have you ever become discouraged by a project even before you started? In the beginning, it is tempting to become overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the task.  We look at our small beginnings, our tiny, awkward baby steps in the right direction, and often fall prey to the lie that to succeed is impossible.

Whether starting a new diet, a course of study, exercise, fighting an addiction or just cleaning out a closet, the truth is that what is worth pursuing comes at a cost.  And the sense of accomplishment we look for only comes by way of effort.

Beloved, are you overwhelmed and discouraged, even before today has started?  Are the memories of yesterday’s struggles stealing from the promise and hope of today?

Father, as the brilliant hues of sunrise bring a over-arching sense of promise to morning, give us fresh eyes with which to perceive the day.  Illuminate our forgotten dreams that have grown dim, and breathe fresh life into our passion to pursue them.  Remind us why we started on this road in the beginning.

Give us ears to hear You calling us to a higher place (Phil 3:14) — a place of reward reserved for those who pursue You, Your kingdom (Heb 11:6) and our God-given purpose.  We ask that the small beginnings of this day will be directed by Your Spirit, and that every whisper of discouragement will be countered with renewed vision.

And this evening, as we rest our heads on our pillows and recount the day, we ask that the discouragement of morning will have been replaced by joy in what was accomplished, and that the satisfaction we feel will infuse our tomorrow with hope.  

Lord, thank You for another day.  For many yesterday was their last.  Life is but a vapor, but we have been blessed with yet another day.  May we embrace it with joy as a gift.  And may how we spend it be our gift in return to You.  In Jesus’ Name ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/Prayers-of-a-Ragamuffin-Warrior-171515087035441/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unshakeable Hope

Image
  UNSHAKEABLE HOPE By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” - Psalms ‭139:23  ‬NIV As the times we are in are heating up, our eyes search for HOPE and comfort.  We look longingly over our shoulder at the “Good Old Days”—simpler times, old relationships and habits—people and things that, in the past, brought momentary relief.  But, more often than not, we find that the fleeting well of comfort found there has since dried up. ‬ We have not been abandoned to fend for ourselves, however. God, Himself, will be our refuge!‬ When everything else is shaking, we have been given a glorious hope.  God is immovable, and when we put our trust in Him, so are we!  ‬ “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” – Psalm 125:1-2 NIV Beloved, let’s not until the worl...
Read more

Kissing Boo-Boos

Image
  KISSING BOO-BOOS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly Oh, the miracle of a kiss on a boo-boo!  I remember being little and getting a cut on my finger.  I’d raise that chubby finger and go running to my mom.  She always knew what to do.  She would gently clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  We weren’t done until my hurt had been kissed.  There was magic in that application of compassion and love.  It made the pain go away. We have all seen that toddler with a boo-boo.  They run to their mom or dad to clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  If the wound isn’t treated, the tiny nick can continue to hurt and bleed. Each time it is touched or bumped they are reminded of the pain.  And an untreated wound can become infected and grow. There are people all around us with unkissed boo-boos today.  They are hurt, afraid or sad.  They go through life fearful of being hurt again, and looking for someone they can t...
Read more

The Secret of The Birds

Image
 THE SECRET OF THE BIRDS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea monsters and all deep sea creatures; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged birds.” - Psalm 148:7, 10.   Morning has broken and the choir of birds outside my window is singing their hearts out.  Birds may not be considered to be intelligent, yet their response to God in hardship could teach us a few things.  We humans grumble to God about so much, but the birds praise their creator in severe heat and bitter cold.  They may have nests and the shade of trees, but they don’t have the many comforts we enjoy, yet they praise Him.  They know a secret:  God is enthroned upon our praises.  When our hearts are full of worship, He takes His rightful place and brings with Him joy and peace. Let’s take a lesson from the birds.  Their trust in their maker to provide for their needs, even in the face of harsh seasons, calls out to our faith.  It ...
Read more