Small Beginnings Grow Us!

October is flying by, and it has been a busy, busy month! But it’s a good busy, thank goodness. Recently, the room addition we had built for my mother was completed, and we were able to move her into her new space. So after 11 months of our house being flipped upside down, we are finally getting everything back to some manner of order. And I, for one, like order! I like a plan and for things to go according to plan. Crazy right? Since we don’t really have control over much in the this world. But it’s just my nature.

When I wrote my book, Love Echoed Back, I had a plan for that too. For the most part, the plan went well. Organize my notes, check! Write eight chapters, including introduction and conclusion, check. Work with publisher to get it into print, check. Start marketing the book, ummmm, nope! Right around the time my book was published, my mother suffered a stroke. So the next year, everything was up in the air. Over the last year, I have made some progress here and there, but only in recent months have I really regained my focus and started formulating a plan. Ha! There I go planning things again!

What I do know is that God put the words of that book in my heart and helped me get it all on paper. I believe it is a beautiful reflection of our great God, and the story was meant to be shared. So I press on! In the last month or two, I have done a couple of speaking engagements and promoted some book signing events. It’s a lot of work, but well worth it! However, my plans are not going exactly the way I hoped. Although I am gaining ground, it.is.coming.slowly!

My book signings, quite honestly, have been a little underwhelming. However, I am not discouraged. I am, in fact, new to this whole writer/speaker thing. I can’t expect people to just flock to events when they have possibly never heard of me! But, I can expect God to show up.

I love this verse in Zechariah:

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

It encourages me that He see me, He knows my heart, and eventually He will bless my efforts. But in the meantime, I have to keep the focus squarely on what He is doing to appreciate it.

Marketing is a funny business, it is all in the timing. And God has His own timing! So while I wait for the two to intersect, I watch Him work. During my book signing events, I have sold a handful of books, but I have also met some really great people, and more importantly, I have been able to share the love of Christ with some others. Every book signing, an opportunity has presented in which my husband and I have been able to invite some folks to church. Some have been Christians who just moved to the area and are in search of a new church, and some of the folks we met were “dechurched” – meaning they use to go to church, but something has turned them off and they have stopped going.

What an opportunity, what a move of God, to take those moments to reach out to those who still need Him, but aren’t completely connected to Him. And I have been a small piece of that part of His plan. If I get frustrated that I am not selling enough books or doing enough speaking engagements, then I miss the training God is doing with me and I miss the opportunity to encourage someone to get reconnected to our great Savior. So I will be patient, knowing He is pleased that the work has begun, and I will be expectant for that door He is about to open for me – because I was faithful to let His plan work, not mine!

For as I remind myself daily – if this is not all for Him, then it is worthless to do!!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

 

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

2 thoughts on “Small Beginnings Grow Us!”

  1. Elaine,
    This is so encouraging. I just love your more personal voice. It is so true about remaining faithful in the small things. Step by step, following God’s plan makes a positive difference. I want to encourage you to keep your eyes on your dream. You can do it. 🙂
    Have a wonderful day and be blessed.
    Pamela

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