It’s funny how one walk can change your perspective. How looking down brought a whole lot of happy to this girl. No off roading was needed. All it took was strategically placed objects and the willingness to get my head out of the clouds.
This one, bright sunny day taught me more about myself than many days put together. Four miles provides a lot of time for pondering and by the end I learned that small is the new big.
Now before you think this revelation was all my own, let’s pause right there. Several factors were working together and the stars aligned or something like that.
Last week, my friend Kaitlyn Bouchillon, wrote a post at (in)courage titled, “Small is a Gift, Not a Punishment”. Reading her words started me thinking. We pride ourselves on bigger, better, more, and standing above the crowd. But what if, getting low and small produces the “big” you were looking for all along?
Kaitlyn shares:
We can, and absolutely should, do our best and honor God with what we’ve been given. But we don’t have to chase the next and greatest thing, hurrying and hustling to prove our worth. We are the Already Enough people, the ones who have nothing to prove. Our security rests in Christ’s sacrifice, our confidence in His great love for us, and He extends an invitation to you and to me today.
God took Kaitlyn’s words and a walk along the Great Miami River to show me how small is the new big. It required nothing from me, but a heart open to listening and eyes ready to capture the beauty God placed in my path.
The lessons God teaches me always come with His perfect timing. My desire to explore small comes at a time when I am joining with all of you in a new venture. Keep reading…. the announcement comes at the end.
God took me on a walk to remember. Each step led me on a path to learn once again that who I am in this moment is good. I don’t need pretenses, facades, or what everyone else has. I am ME and that is enough. Small is the new big because…
It brings you closer to God. When you let go of the extra stuff you think you need, there is so much room for all God has for you.
You are able to bend low and see what is really important. Your view is crystal-clear and what usually blocks you from seeing clearly is gone.
When you accept a stance of getting small, God brings Heaven to Earth in an act of worship. You are exposed to new beauty and worship is that much sweeter.
It is so sweet when you walk in perfect alignment with who God created you to be and how you then honor His identity.
This is just the beginning of living a life that looks contented, joy-filled, and one that leads you on a path that was always meant for you. It’s not flashy, but instead looks very ordinary. Others might not notice you as you go about your daily life. Guess what, friend? That is OKAY!
It has taken me many years and tears to know without a doubt that I have nothing to prove. You might feel this way too or maybe you are still living in a place of uncertainty. Together we can figure this out. Taking one step forward, posturing ourselves toward God, and opening our hearts to Him is always better together. Will you join me on this journey?
Beginning next Tuesday, June 5th, I have the incredible honor of opening my doors to the Tell His Story community. It is a weekly link up of your encouraging posts that point us back to God. Jennifer Dukes Lee so kindly extended this invitation to me several weeks ago and besides staring in disbelief at the message, I somehow knew after lots of prayers that God calls us to opportunities for such a time as this.
[Tweet “God calls us to new beginnings for such a time as this! Join me on the blog for exciting news!”]
You all are invited to join me each Tuesday at 5:00 PM EST to link up your own posts. Together let’s find new ways to embrace who we are as we share our stories. Let’s spend time encouraging each other knowing that the act of extending kindness is contagious.
Let’s embrace small as the new big as we come together each week and cheer each other on. Please join me in prayer for the right people to walk through the door. (I hope that will be all of you! :)) Ask for all technology to work smoothly and finally would you help me spread the word. I can’t do it without all of you.
Blessings and love,
And because I know you are dying to see the new #TellHisStory button, here it is!! You will add this to your post each week and link it back here to www.marygeisen.com.
Mary –
Congratulations – I am excited for you and so look forward to this in the days ahead! I really think this is going to be something special – and blessed!
Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer! I love how God is already working behind the scenes. I know He will bless this in His way and His timing. Can’t wait to have you join us on Tuesdays.
So excited for you and for this community, Mary. Praying God blesses you in many big and small ways as you host us here! You’re a gift, my friend!
Thank you, Julie! I receive those prayers and am blessed you are such an encouragement. I am hoping you join me here on Tuesdays! You would be a blessing to the community.
Love it, Mary! What a sweet hand of friendship from Jennifer. ❤
It is a sweet passing off of the baton. Jennifer is the real deal and I am blessed that God nudged her to ask me. I hope to see you here Lisa on Tuesdays!
Awesome, Mary!
Got Jennifer’s mail and was so happy reading her choice for continuing the community over here.
Praying God’s blessing for the community.
God bless sweet friend
Thanks Ifeoma! Isn’t a blessing to be part of something that God wants to continue. Thank you for your prayers. I hope to see you here for the link up.
Beautiful post, Mary! It sparked a cooling ember of something that has chosen to slumber in my noggin. Thank you! And congratulations for taking over the Tuesday linkup. You are a blessing! 😀
I am glad to have this link back up, smaller blogs do get together and share His Word. I love snails, reminds me of bug hunting wit ha little boy I kept. But I think there has always been a deeper message in slowing down and finding His rest. Looking forward to joining you Mary.
I am glad that Jennifer reached out to me. Taking over Tell His Story is definitely a gift from God. What I love is how God chooses to use each of us in different ways. We don’t have to have more or be better to be chosen by Him. Looking forward to seeing you here, Rebecca!
Mary yay! This excites me so much. I am thankful for your message today, my heart needs it. I keep coming back to this, because my heart can’t keep up with the world’s pace and heavy load, “more” expectations and things, things, things.
More lately I am craving stillness, meaningful conversation, even if it means I don’t have all the socks matched (c’mon over!) But it has taken me until my thirties to let a lot of thigns go, that previously kept me in a wadded up stress ball.
Thanks so much for sharing with us and for hosting #TellHisStory!
You are a wonderful example for me of how to open up your blogging home to community. I look forward to you linking up here too.
I understand exactly what you mean when you say you crave meaningful conversations and slowing down. I love that you are getting it in your thirties. I must admit that this is something I am still learning and I’m just a little bit older than you. 😉 I am praying for you as you continue to learn to let things go.
What great news, Mary! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you…and for me!
Me either, Mary! I hope you come by on Tuesdays to link up. Blessings!
This is exciting, Mary! You will be the perfect host for Tell His Story and I’m so glad it’s going to continue. Look forward to linking up with you next week!
Thanks Lesley! I appreciate your vote of confidence. I look forward to seeing you next Tuesday.
Awesome friend just love this. Blessings Diana
Thank you, Diana! I hope you come by to link up on Tuesdays.
In this season, I keep hearing “Do not despise small beginnings…” (Zech 4:10).
Small may be the new big or not, but God does not despise it and that’s all right with me.
Amen! Thank you for sharing the verse from Zechariah. God does not despise small beginnings and He walks with us every step of the way.
“…who I am in this moment is good. I don’t need pretenses, facades, or what everyone else has. I am ME and that is enough.”
I LOVE this!
And I love this post. This whole “small” thing has been on my mind since hearing Shannan at Renewal (she called it “going low” rather than small but same idea). I don’t think we got around to talking about that over coffee. Next time! Excited for you and the good that is to come! I might need to dust off the old blog… 🙂
Thank you, Tracy! Shannan stirred the pot with lots of thoughts to ponder. And the idea of getting low has stuck with me too. We will talk about this next time we meet for coffee. And if you want to write and link up, I would love it. Please let Taylor know. I would love to see her here.
Mary, you don’t know how happy this announcement makes me! I can’t wait to link up with you next week. 🙂 I also love the phrase, “Small is the new big.” It takes me back to a season many years ago when the still, small Voice let me know that I must decrease and He must increase (not much has changed since then, actually).
Thank you for your sweet encouragement. I can’t wait to have you linking up, Lois! I would love to hear more about what you learned when God called you to decrease. I imagine you have learned a lot since then. See you on Tuesday!
Happy dance! So excited for you, friend, and this community of His storytellers! Your message today fits perfectly with the message we received on Sunday. God has given us everything, we don’t have to keep hustling to prove our worth. When you have God, you have everything. Looking forward to linking up!
I’m dancing with you. Don’t you love when God repeats a message several times just to make sure you get it??? I know I do. I can’t wait to see you here on Tuesdays.
How can I find out more about this link up? Ive never done it before.
Thank you!
Hi, Felicia! I’m so glad you’re here. A link up is a chance for you to share your own encouraging post here each Tuesday. I am going to email you some more information.
Dear Mary,
I am so thrilled for you, and for Jennifer’s choice of passing along the community link-up to you! And what a precious working of the Lord to remind you that size and pressure don’t matter at all in the Kingdom. He has His purposes for us, and those are what really matters. What a relief. It’s up to HIM! Blessings to you on this new journey with Him!
Thank you, Bettie! I hope you join me here on Tuesdays. It is a wonderful relief to know that God is in charge. I am praying that His beautiful purpose continues to unfold for all of us.
Hi Mary, clicked on over here via Jennifer’s blog post. You will carry the torch well. This (also) retired elementary school teacher is cheering you on from Seattle.
Glad to have you here, Jody! We teachers have to stick together. Thank you for your vote of confidence.
Holy Cow!! I am so incredibly excited about this opportunity for YOU! I had a nudge last week to reach out to Jennifer about continuing the linkup but then the nudge quickly disappeared. Now I know WHY!!! Looking forward to seeing you at your place on Tuesdays friend! Joy, pure joy! 🙂
Thank you Tara! God had this in the works. I can’t wait to see you on Tuesdays.
This is wonderful news Mary and Jennifer made a great choice in you! Lying low and staying in the background has been what I’m all about these past few months as I seek God’s will, and the striving to grow bigger has not been missed. I’m not sure where this will lead but I enjoy being small.
Congrats my friend. I know you will be a blessing to many.
You have definitely been laying low. I’ve been looking for you! 😉 But there is such peace in just being and I am glad you have been able to do that. Thank you for cheering me on, friend! It means so much. I am praying for you as you listen well and bend low to all God has for you. Love you!
Excited for you friend!
Thank you, Michelle! I hope to see you at the linkup.
Congratulations, Mary! This is wonderful and I cannot wait to not only join you but also see what God has in store for you, and us all!
I can’t wait for you to join me too. Your continued support means so much. I pray God leads me well and provides just the right people to come alongside.
I’m humbled that the words from my post resonated so deeply with you… but more than that, I want to say YAY – you’re the perfect person to pass the THS baton to!
Thank you for being faithful in writing. You never know who they will touch. I am thrilled to be hosting the Tell His Story linkup. I love your vote of confidence.
This is such a perfect role for you, and I had almost forgotten that I met you when you were co-hosting with Barbie! Seems like so long ago, but I remember your hospitable heart coming through, so I’m very excited for you with this new adventure.
Question about the new button: Will you be sharing the code for that so we can just copy it?
That’s right! We did meet when I was co-hosting the Weekend Brew. That seems so long ago. I love encouraging others and joining people together in community. Carrying the torch for Jennifer brings both.
Now as for the code for the button??? I hope I figure it out. Stay tuned!
Hooray! Jennifer made an excellent choice. I look forward to linking here.
That is so sweet Debbie! It will be such a treat to have you link up. I am looking forward to learning more of what God is doing in your life for your year of surrender.
I am so thrilled you said yes, Mary. Your name came to mind immediately, and it’s such a terrific honor and privilege to hand over the #TellHisStory banner to you. You are a great communicator, a long-time member of the community, and a God-gifted encourager. So looking forward to seeing how this unfolds over here. Much love to you. Thanks for your YES!
Thank you for believing in me, Jennifer. I am honored that God pointed you in my direction. Thank you for this sweet encouragement. I am praying for just the right people to join me here and it means so much to know that you are cheering me on from your side of the blogging world. Love you friend!
Mary,
You are terrific proof that great things come in small packages!! I am SO VERY EXCITED for your news. I can think of no better hostess for “Tell His Story”. Jennifer is such a sweetheart and she picked a sweetheart to follow her and create new footprints. I will most certainly link up whenever I write! Sharing in your joy in discovering you truly don’t have anything to prove….awesome news sweet friend!
Blessings,
Bev xoxo
Thank you for your sweet encouragement. I love the idea of creating new footprints. It certainly will take a community to walk the journey with me. I look forward to whenever you can stop by, Bev.
Blessings to you too!
Awesomeness!
Thank you, Lisa! I hope to see you next week!
Yay, what a blessing and yes small is where is where He has been leading me through the word “unseen”.
I am incredibly blessed that Jennifer chose me to take over this linkup. I also am curious how the word “unseen” has been leading you toward small. Blessed you are here!
Jennifer made the BEST CHOICE! Yay and I will definitely spread the word!
That means so much Susan! I can’t wait to have you join us here for #TellHisStory.
My head is full of sayings such as “Go big, or go home”, or “Get noticed in the noisy world.” I’ve been struggling with the conflict between making it happen or letting it unfold for awhile now. And the question, “am I playing small or big for my own agenda (disobedience) or playing who God made me to be (obedience)?” The remedy is of course God’s word and relationship with Him who says we are enough! Your scriptures here remind me of that. Thank you.
I’m reminded too, of when I am lying flat on my belly in the bushes, camera in hand, after spotting a small pop of colour amongst a messy batch of brush. That ‘pop’ didn’t try to make itself bigger amongst the tall crowd of it’s neighbours. It just played itself, popping up beauty to compliment all that surrounded it. Congrats on the Tuesday link-up! I look forward to meeting others too! And depending on writing schedule that God leads me too, I may be able to be linking up as well.
I would love to have you link up but your integrity to God’s schedule is such a good example.
The example you give of getting low to capture the pop of color with your camera is the perfect way to get low. But I realized today as I was admiring the beauty of the clouds that sometimes we need to look up. It gives us a different perspective for our place in God’s universe. Maybe it is just always putting God in the forefront of all we do. I am praying for you as you live in the tension between obedience and disobedience or making it happen and letting it unfold.
Small is the new big. Yeah, I like that, Mary. Alot.
Seems to take the pressure off to achieve and to always be striving for bigger, better, greater.
Creativity emerges, freedom arrives … we breathe deep and smile. We have nothing to prove and everything to enjoy.
I look forward to reading that post … we’re all in for a treat, for sure. Congrats, friend!
Duh.
NOW I get it! You’re hosting!
Wow!
I’ll be here. And I’ll be linking up.
Forgive me for my slow responsiveness. It’s still morning …
;-}
I love you friend! I am so glad that you will join me here for the linkup.
Thank you! I love how you wrote, “we have nothing to prove and everything to enjoy”. You are right! The pressure is definitely off when we let go of the striving. So glad you joined me here today.
Mary,
Love this. I have been struggling this year with my lack of my own “big” income, lack of big personal achievement in my field of work, and, and lack of blog commentaries. However, post like these and songs on the radio have reminded me that dreaming and seeing small things is so much more God filling. Love to you, love to your writings, and congrats on being a small and big force of words from the Spirit of Our Living God! Love from FMF friend, j cook
Mary, congratulations at being invited to Tell His Story…and Jennifer could not have made a better choice.
As for small being OK…sure, I guess, but I’m a dead man -literally – anyway, and I’m going for the record. I’ll die going big or going small. May as well go big.