Small Beginnings, Big God
Pushed back behind the medicine bin, on a shelf in my kitchen cupboard, sits a square ceramic trivet. It is the first thing I ever painted.
When I look at the simple grapevine wreath design, made years ago in a tole painting class at my local hobby store, I have to smile. It smacks of crafty inexperience, but I was so proud of that thing! Our instructor had patiently shown us how to make gentle "S" strokes with a liner brush, and I was immediately captivated!
"Now, dip the wooden end of the brush into paint and dab on some baby's breath," she said. Like magic, my little trivet tile came to life.
Small beginnings.
I never would have dreamed that I would someday get to paint murals in multi-million dollar homes, or design theme rooms or be a professional artist. I simply thought I might like to learn how to make some Christmas gifts that year because money was tight. I painted up birdhouses and stools, tissue boxes and clocks. Dressers and plaques and hangers and lamps and clay pots. I gave away everything I made, then put the leftover things into a craft mall to sell. Oh, I lost money in the craft mall, but one day someone called me and asked if I could paint some flowers on a wall. It was the start of something bigger.
Whenever I see that trivet peeking out from behind the ibuprofen and cough drops, I'm reminded of a God who delights in surprising His children. Perhaps He chuckled as I signed up for my crafty class, knowing that He had so much more in store for me than I could ever know. As I picked up birdhouses and clay pots to decorate, He was behind the scenes, giving me the passion to learn and grow...and to enjoy a new skill I thought I'd found on my own. The trivet reminds me to trust in a faithful God who guides even my smallest steps.
How about you? Do you have a "trivet" in your life that causes you to remember God's leading? Maybe it's a brochure to a college, or a church flyer that you happened to pick up. It could be a napkin with a business idea scribbled on it, or a chance encounter with a stranger. He delights in small beginnings because He's a big God who makes much out of little, and who leads us...even when we don't know it until we look back later and see that His hand was there all along.
How has God led you?? Feel free to share your "trivets!"
Rachel Anne
My "Trivet"
My precious Aunt Elizabeth - she's the one who first asked me to teach a Bible lesson. I was about 10 years old. She must have noticed that I was captivated by teaching and she's says that I had a knack for it - all the kids in Sunday school wouldn't listen to the teachers but they would listen to me. Now mind you, I'd been scolded for that ALOT. I was always talking when I wasn't supposed to be; always pushing the envelope and trying to lead when I was supposed to follow. I was annoying. And yet, after dishing out some loving discipline, my Aunt asked me to help her teach. She didn't squelch what she saw, she asked me to put it to good appropriate use.
So, as the director of children's ministry, she asked a 10 year old to come up with a Sunday school lesson. I don't remember exactly what I taught on but I do remember spending the wee hours of the morning, filling up water balloons as the object lesson for my theme. The teachers and the students alike loved every minute of it. . . . and so did I.
Now, when I stand in front of an arena of women, I remember my Aunt and inwardly thank her for my own "trivet" - seeing in me what many others did not and allowing me to develop under her watchful eye.
Thanks for helping me think back Rachel.
Priscilla
Not one yet, but encouraged
Not one yet, but encouraged that I am making one now. Not sure what it will be , but knowing I will look back and say "Yes this is where He started it". Thank you for the encouragement:) Beautiful artwork!
Journals are my "trivet"
For me, it would have to be my journals. I have boxes and boxes of them. I have been writing in a journal since I was a young girl. When I go back and look at them it reminds me that God is the one that gave me the gift and desire to write. He has cultivated that into a heart to minister to women through devotions and speaking at my local church.
Trivet
I haven't identified my trivet...but am so in appreciation of the many gifts God has given you Rachel Anne....your heart sharing through your writing and speaking, your in the trenches love for all of us struggling at Home Sanctuary...your warm laughter and smiles in person...I am thankful for you...and now for Priscilla as well...as you share her with us too.
much love,
Sweetie
The Trivet of 1996...
...was a young woman named Gwen, who I met when I found an apartment for couple of months the summer before my senior year of college. She was a grad student interested in working overseas. As we spent more time together, we found we shared a common interest in teaching, and she told me about a certain organization I should check out. One perk she noted was that there would be a lot of other young guys to meet because it was such a large organization. Whatever, I thought. I was more interested in teaching abroad.
The next summer I joined that organization and went to Asia. I fell in love with the people of my country, and in 2000 I married another teacher. I'm sure you can guess how I met him. Alas, Gwen was right.
a deep one
For the last two summers, I have held ladies' Bible studies in my home. Instead of using a video series, we went the old-fashioned route. Just studying and talking our thoughts over together. The first summer, one of the ladies attending the study (whom I respect so much) looked me in the eye and said, "You have a gift." This immediately caused me to look back on another day. A day that my SS teacher looked me in the eye, after I read the Scripture she requested and talked about what it meant to me, and said, "God is going to use you someday." I'm waiting for yet another level, but God is ever so gracious in providing every day opportunities to live for Him.
I posted this morning. This
I posted this morning. This afternoon, I may have had a trivet. Completely out of character for me I formed a friendship with a young woman at my son's school. We have exchanged numbers and made plans. She appears to be a godly woman, her husband is a fisherman sponsored by I Am Second. I have been praying for godly friendships and am very excited. Had to come back and report in:) Whatever happens- God is good:)
I'm excited for you!
Rhonda, thank you so much for adding the "Part II" of your comment! We'll be praying that this new friendship will be the start of something special in your life. God is guiding your steps....
My Trivet........
I remember when my first child was preparing to enter kindergarten. We had it all planned out (Maybe, I had it all planned out!:-)) We had just recently bought a house in the school district that we thought was best and lo and behold.... After visiting the new school, I came home and asked God, "What was his plan for our children regarding school?" Just then, "Homeschooling was birthed into my heart". The Lord had already worked through my husband a couple years earlier to put the thought out there. My thoughts were as soon as my oldest gets to be school age, we are on our way to public school!! God prepared the way! He also led me to a MOPS support group(Mother's of Preschoolers) and you would not believe what their next meeting was about? Yes, Homeschooling!! I have been homeschooling for five years now and God has been with me every step of the way!! It is a wonderful tool God is using to give me the privilage to disciple our four children for Christ. I am so thankful for the opportunity, what a blessing. It is not all peaches and cream, but my children are learning and I know it will be worth it all when we see Jesus!!:-) Thanks for letting me share! I enjoyed reading the others!
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