Thinking Aloud

To start from part one, click here.

When my husband and I vacation, we walk everywhere.

There’s a moment when I panic a little–usually when my husband pulls out the map and cheerfully says, “Let’s go here, here, and here.” And I reply, “That’s a looonnnggg way. Can’t we just go to Starbuck’s?”

But we set out…and by the end of the day we’ve made it and I’m happy. I’ve learned the trick is not giving in to that moment when the journey, the story, seems like too much. Just start with one step.

Small – The tinier the better. We tell ourselves we’ve got to do something amazing right now…ignore that voice.

Tangible – We’re not trying to walk on air. “I want to be happy!” isn’t a step. Choose something with results.

Easy – Yep, not only small but easy. If it can happen in five minutes or less, you get bonus points.

Positive – The whole point is going forward. Now isn’t the time for, “I’m going to stop…X” Focus on what you’ll do instead.

A S.T.E.P. might be making a phone call, getting a book, writing something down, exercising for two minutes, reconnecting with a friend, leaving a comment, anything that moves you forward.

(Okay, I am totally cracking up right now because I’m picturing Bill Murray in “What about Bob?” saying, ‘Baby steps, baby steps.’ Has anyone else seen that movie? If so, you have my full permission to laugh with/at me right now!)

We tend to picture God as being there for the huge leaps of faith in our stories. But He’s totally in the little stuff too. Even the Israelites made it to the Promised Land one step at a time.

In your story, small is big.
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TODAY’S QUESTION:
What’s the next S.T.E.P in your story?

Purpleclick:
Singing:
I’ve joined a small choir in my sister’s church since last year to sing on special occasions like Easter, Christmas… and this year it is a Jubilee year for them. It is a joy to be able to sing, and to sing with my sister. It’s something that has been a part of both our lives from school days. In fact, earlier this month, our choir mistress from school passed on. What a legacy of music she has left behind in so many lives!

Typing:
Started a few blogs and Facebook groups since the beginning of this year. Very happy to have this 21-day challenge to become part of journey. I believe many others will be blessed as I have been. I hope to keep up with the days to come, and to learn to blog better.

E-mentoring:
This is the ministry I’m serving in. It brings much joy as I see how God brings people to write in from the websites about where they are in their faith journey, so we can correspond with them. I’m excited to see what the Lord will do this year!

Praying:
Learning to be still and to listen to God. Learning to pray for others.

(January 29, 2010 at 11.17AM)

- Dayspring blog by Holley Garth -