Years ago, my high school coach put me in the 800-meter race for one of our track meets. That race was H-A-R-D! I’ll never forget the sensation of my legs turning to Jell-O, the burning in my chest, and the panic connected to the feeling of running out of air. I wanted to quit—but pushing through and crossing the finish line taught me something important. Starting strong is good, but finishing strong matters even more.
The key? Pacing myself in sustainable ways.
Years later, I trained for a marathon (I know… I’m a glutton for punishment). I joined a local running club and followed the plan. I didn’t love the drills — hill days, pacing days, technique days — but I came to see their value. Those small, steady practices were what built my endurance and gave me the strength to cross the finish line. They taught me that the little things add up and prepare us for big victories.
One Small Thing
Life works the same way. One comment can deflate you like one pin can pop and deflate a balloon. One overlooked habit can derail your momentum. But the opposite is also true — one small choice can move you forward.
What if the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for doesn’t come from a big leap, but from one small thing you choose today?
Interested in making major moves in your life through small, doable decisions? I hope so! Here are three places to begin:
- Daily Top 3s: Grab your planner or journal, and write down the three outcomes that matter today. Not twenty, just three.
- Swap Wisely: Replace one wasted choice (scrolling, sighing, snacking) with one productive one (reading, praying, moving).
- Set Presence Cues: Turn on worship, light a candle, make tea. Small cues set the tone for your home and heart to be present in each moment.
Why Small Beginnings Matter
God is a God of small things. Zechariah 4:10 says, “Do not despise small beginnings.” My parents started my home church with ten people in a living room. I remember hearing my mom talk about how all she wanted to do was make sure there was enough punch and snacks for everyone. Fifty years later, that faithfulness has built a legacy.
You may feel overwhelmed by the big picture—your health, your family, your finances, your future. But the tipping point always comes from little things, done well, and done consistently.
Start Where You Are
Everything in your life is conquerable in small pieces. Want to read the Bible? One chapter at a time. Want to improve your health? Take one vitamin, drink one more glass of water. Want to declutter your home? One box a week. Want to finish your degree? One class at a time.
Don’t worry about the whole mountain. Just move one stone.
Digging Deeper
If this message is stirring something in you, don’t stop here—let’s go deeper together. In Podcast #486: The Power of Small Things, I unpack this idea even further: how the little choices, often overlooked, are the very ones that open the door to lasting transformation.
Sometimes it’s not about doing more, it’s about noticing the little things that already have the power to reshape your life. This episode will give you the encouragement and tools to do exactly that.
Your Next Step
So here’s my question: What’s the one small thing you’ve been neglecting that you can do today? Write it in your planner. Name your three top priorities for the month. Then pick the daily action that makes them possible.
Friend, today can be your new starting line. If you’re still here and still breathing, you get to choose.
So start small, stay steady, and trust that God will meet you there.
If you haven’t yet, purchase your dream planner today.
Let your planner be the place where you write your thoughts down about the life you hope to live. Let it also be a place where you’ll have my words to remind you of who you are and why you should pursue what really matters.
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Reflection Questions:
- What is one area of your life where you’ve been so focused on the big picture that you’ve overlooked the small steps you could take today?
- Where have you been tempted to despise small beginnings because progress isn’t happening as quickly as you hoped?
- What is one small, intentional action you can commit to this week that will move you closer to the life God is calling you to live?
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Chrystal is the Founder and CEO of The Sister Circle, an organization that exists to provide practical encouragement and equip women of faith to live with intention and purpose. Chrystal is also a best-selling author and speaker who reaches a wide audience, speaking at conferences, hosting her podcast, and leading the women’s ministry at her home church.
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