In a little less than a month I’ll turn thirty. Three decades of humble beginnings that I can look back and smile on. It’s the start of so many stories that I get to share here with you. I wrote one of those stories here: From Blog to Purpose: The Heart of the Homeland Story, where I shared the humble beginnings of this little blog that brings so much joy to my life. Then there’s other beginnings that are brought to mind; climbing a stand in the woods to sit out for my first hunt, spontaneously bringing home chicks and cows when we weren’t fully sure we were ready for them, or starting over every time we moved into a different house. Each instance I can picture myself closing my eyes, taking a deep breath, and exhaling as I recite that promise I made to myself…to never despise a humble beginning. To never look at the challenges, the mess, and the tasks in front of me and bow out, but instead, to take it one day, one moment, one step at a time.

The first version of the Heart of the Homeland blog had a simple, but profound line written on the front page: “Never Despise Humble Beginnings.” It’s taken from a scripture in Zechariah 4:10, and it was one that I’ve held close to my heart for years. Starting the blog felt like one of those humble beginnings, which is why I made sure it stayed right in front of me where I could always see it, and its theme is woven all throughout these pages. Whether we like it or not, big visions, ideas or dreams have to start somewhere, and it never starts in its mature form. More often than not, it starts out messy, small, filled with marks of inexperience. It’s so easy to despise those humble beginnings, and to lose sight of why you began in the first place. It makes me sad to think of how many people won’t just simply start. They won’t start the hobby, the project, the book, the work, the recipe, the vision, because it never begins like how we like to picture it in our imagination. So, I made a decision six years ago that I would refuse to despise a humble beginning- in any form, and my hope is that in anything I do or share, that it reflects that decision and hopefully encourages you to do the same.

Lately, those humble beginnings look a little like this for me:

• Joining an introduction to painting class.
• Not rushing to make our house completely put together but allowing us to live in it and make it feel like ours over time.
• Exploring writing poetry.

Right now, the painting class has brought so much joy into my life. For years I have collected landscape paintings to grace the walls of our home, and I’ve longed to put a paint brush in my hand just to see what come from it. When I came across a small group at church that was offering an introductory class, I was giddy with excitement. I didn’t even care if I would be good. I just wanted to try. The joy I’m experiencing now, is the fruit of someone else’s own humble beginning. Mr. Mark Tibey decided eight years ago that he wanted to learn to paint. He watched episode after episode of Bob Ross while teaching himself how to paint landscapes in acrylics, oils, and watercolors. It’s become such a passion of his, and he took it a step further by beginning this small group. I’ll forever be thankful for Mark stepping into something new and sharing it with our humble group of seven that gather on Thursday nights to sit through his guiding hands. Because he didn’t despise his own humble beginning of learning to paint, I now get a chance to learn myself, and for a mom of three boys I can’t tell you how much I crave those two quiet hours where I can sit in the quiet and paint. Never discredit how the Lord can use your own humble beginnings when you use it to glorify him. Just like Mark Tibey.

What might that be for you in this season? Is there something you’ve wanted to do, learn or create that you’ve held back from? Is it pursuing a friendship? Creating a recipe, website, social media page, or garden? When I ask others, or even myself “what’s keeping you from starting?” It’s not usually time or even money…deep down its a fear of what others might think when they look at your beginning, or that it will never be what you fully hope it could be. I understand that, but I’d also like to speak over and into that for you. You were made in the image of THE CREATOR GOD. Look around you- look at how creative our God is. When is the last time you sat out early in the morning or late in the evening to have your breath taken away by fiery colors of the sun setting or rising? When was the last time you stopped scrolling and put your hands to the soil and marveled at the life it nourishes and creates? In a social media world where it feels like everyone is watching and maybe even waiting for you to do something they can critique or laugh at, there’s an even greater audience waiting for you to start. Waiting to be inspired by what you can write, make, sing, or create. And what’s more than that? There’s a Heavenly Father waiting to see what you’ll do with the gifts He’s placed in your hands. When you start feeling overwhelmed and scared to start..pay attention to your gaze. Are your eyes on others? A screen? Lift them, friend. Lift your eyes to the hills and remember where your help comes from. Your help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. You have a Father lovingly waiting to see the work begin. So much of what I do, especially as a mom, feels unseen and unnoticed. You can ask yourself “does it even matter?” Yes, yes it matters more than what is seen or praised.  Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve. (Colossians 3:23-24)

Start the scrapbook, decorate the room, build the website, try the recipe, take the class, write the story, plant the flowers, grow the garden, learn the instrument, buy the baby chicks, and know that the humble beginning is honoring to your Father who watches in delight.

I implore you- make the decision for yourself to never again despise a humble beginning.

Until next time sweet friend,