Sometimes our kiddos get a little bit frustrated that they are not BIG yet. They wish they were as tall or strong as their older sibling, cousin, or parent. They long to have the power to jump higher, the stature to reach higher, and the freedom to go farther. They see being small as something to despise. Children will often clarify to others, “I’m Big” They long to assert themselves and be big right away. We understand that desire since we all have been there.
When I hear children or anyone say they wish for more, I often think of the scripture in the Bible, “Do not despise the day of small beginnings.” Zachariah 4:10.
It reminds me that it is human nature to want bigger, better, faster, and now outcomes, and throughout human history we had to be reminded that small beginnings are part of the process.
Even our reminder of the Mustard Seed. Jesus told them, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…though it is the smallest of all seed, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants.” Matthew 13:31-32.
Great things come from small beginnings.
This time of year is a good time to remind our children that the Greatest of All came from small beginnings. Jesus, God manifested in the flesh, could have come to the earth any way he wanted. He could have shown up on a mountain top, fully grown, just as he left in the book of Acts. He could have shown up riding a horse with a great army and taken over all of Israel. He could have shown up to save his people in so many ways, but he chose to come very small.
Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Jesus came to our world as a baby.
I think he did so because he respects the process he put in place. There is a natural process of beginning small and growing into stature and understanding. Jesus waited 33 years to even begin his ministry to others. He understands patience and process and not being frustrated when things take time.
So as we celebrate the birth of Jesus this season, we can remind our kiddos and ourselves that small beginnings are important. This Christmas, let’s enjoy the process and the plan. Let’s be thankful for small beginnings.
Image by Elf-Moondance from Pixabay
