Little Victories

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By the time I stepped out the door, the wind had kicked up. The skies were getting cloudier. I knew rain was in the forecast, but I hadn’t been able to carve out time for exercise lately. I was determined to go walking and keep my promise to get healthier. Maybe I could beat the rain.

I had my cellphone just in case. My husband has had to rescue me a few times, and he would again today if I got caught in bad weather. After about a mile, the raindrops started to fall. Just sprinkles. “No problem,” I thought. “I don’t mind a little cool-off.” At two miles, the rain got serious. Not sheets of water, but I was getting wet.

I typed a text to my husband. “Wanna come and get me?” But I never sent it. I believed the rain would stop. At mile 2.5 it did. The threat of rain behind me, I turned for home, delighting in the cooler breezes. Wouldn’t you know it? Now I was feeling the unwelcome presence of gravel in my shoes. Great. Every step reminded me of those sharp little freeloaders. A quick check of the benches told me they weren’t an option. I’d end up with a large wet spot on my shorts. No thanks. I kept walking. I paid attention to my earphones and was able to walk block after block without really feeling the jabbing pokes.

Finally I made it home. Wet and with a little limp, but I made it. I was happy that I could face those obstacles and keep going. I could have sent that text…but I held off. Now maybe a little rain and a little pain don’t sound like much. You could certainly say that these were puny hardships. How could anyone decide to give up in the face of a little water?

Oh, I could. I’ve given up on goals for flimsier reasons. Get up early to work out? Good idea! But the next morning, the only thing that got a workout was my snooze button. Give up desserts this week? Good sacrifice! But then my husband brings me a chocolate cupcake, just because. Hmm…it would be so rude not to accept it. So maybe my walk that day was only a little victory. But it’s the little victories that need to be celebrated.

Those small steps to a stronger focus and a firmer will, that are laced with the presence of God. Without him, I’d be back whacking my alarm clock. We should never decide that any success ‘doesn’t count.’ God knows us, and he knows we have to start small. And there is a great blessing in small victories.

“The man who can be trusted in the little things can be trusted in great…”

Luke 16:10

So really, I may have only finished my walk. But in truth? The Lord smiles and says I am on my way to bigger and better things. And you know what? I bet you are too.

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57 thoughts on “ Little Victories ”

  3. What a wonderful post Ceil and such a wonderful reminder. “Small steps to a stronger focus…” I like that.

    It’s very much our journey in life and reminded me of my faith journey. First, I came to know Christ and accepted Him into my life. Then, I began to read my Bible. Then I started to pray and sought God to help me “learn” how to pray. Then I start to serve and minister to others. Then I dig deeper and start to S.O.A.P. the scriptures I read. All those little steps to a stronger focus. with my eyes on Christ I keep on moving forward.

    Bless you my friend for sharing.

    Wishing you a lovely evening.
    xoxo

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    • Hi Jennifer! Your description of your faith walk is so inspiring my friend. You really have taken it step by step, and have seen the grace in it. What a wonderful road you are on!

      Thank YOU for sharing! You always lift my spirit,
      Ceil

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  4. Wonderful encouragement, Ceil. I am learning to find victory in small things, too. Sometimes it’s only spurning an anxious thought, but right now, that is huge. Thanks for your prayers, and your friendship. It’s one of the things that upholds me on this pebbly journey called life!

    GOD BLESS!

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    • Hi Sharon! I do think the small steps are what get us to the goal. Very rarely do people get to maturity in one big leap! Like you said, it’s a series of choices, and one by one we all get there.

      You know you are in my prayers my friend. Hope this week is going well for you.
      Blessings,
      Ceil

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  5. Hi Ceil,

    I took an hour walk today because it was cooler than the last couple of days, and cloudy, too, and there was a nice breeze. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I took photos, too, which I will share over the next five days on my posts, beginning tomorrow (Thursday). My suggestion to you would be to get one of those inexpensive raincoats with a hood that you can buy from a dollar store. I got one, and even though I love the rain I try not to get soaked. LOL!

    Amen on the small victories! I think that we should rejoice in the little things. I think that sometimes, as we get older, we lose the child in us, and I think this is sad. By this I mean the ability to notice and appreciate beautiful things around us…and the people around us.

    Great post, thank you so much for sharing.

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    • Hi Linda! I’m looking forward to your photos! Great suggestion on the poncho. I think I have one in the closet actually. I bought it at the dollar store too. Great minds, right?

      I like your take on the small victories, meaning that we may have lost our childlike wonder. That’s a great point. God has all kinds of things ready for me to see today. Will I see them? Or will I just sink into my own busyness and agenda… That’s something to really think about.

      Thank you for your thoughtful comment today. You’ve given me something to reflect on as I continue through the day.
      Bless you!
      Ceil

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      • I can’t help but think of Matthew 18:3. New American Standard Bible
        and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

        To me I think it means that we need to have the innocence and curiosity of a child, the wonder of learning and being. Thanks so much for your response to my comment, dear Ceil.

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    • Hi Joy! What a fun thing to find out! It’s so nice to meet people in the blogging world, isn’t it? I think we’ll find that we are more alike than different. Especially if we love the Lord.

      I always appreciate your prayers Joy. And your love of nature. I can relate to that!

      Have a blessed Thursday,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Elizabeth! It was so fun to see your post on Stephanie’s blog!

      I think I’m learning a lot from the comments today. So many of us think that small steps aren’t worth much…including me at times. It’s so wonderful that we can all encourage each other through our blogs and comments. I just love it.

      Let’s treasure those small successes!
      Ceil

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    • Hi Lauren! I’m glad you are doing a study that really speaks to you.

      My sister is coming in tomorrow for the Father’s Day weekend. I am looking forward to that. Hope you have a great Thursday :)
      Ceil

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  10. Wow. I had just slid on socks and sneakers yesterday to walk to the post office, 2 miles round trip. And then I looked out the window and saw the rain coming down.

    I was not brave and wise like you, friend. Instead, I reached for the car keys.

    Sigh.

    I’ll walk tomorrow.

    I love your writing.

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    • Hi Linda! Well, there are plenty of days when I can’t walk because of the crazy weather. I’m just trying to be more brave about jumping out there and trying to get it done when I can.

      Those little steps are my way go. I am not the kind of girl who makes progress in leaps and bounds. Darn it. Little victories, that’s me!

      Thank you for your encouragement. You have no idea how much I needed it today.
      Bless you,
      Ceil

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  12. I need to let this post motivate ME! I am so bad about making a plan to do something good and then it falling through….baby steps, baby steps…I need to keep telling myself! Thanks for the inspiration, friend!

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    • Hi Debby! Just remember it’s small steps, small victories. That’s how we graduate to bigger things.

      So glad you were inspired Debby, and thank you for telling me that too :)
      Blessings,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Monica! That is so true isn’t it? Love that. Like I mentioned, I don’t really make progress in one big leap. It’s inch by inch. And I need to celebrate that.

      Great comment!
      Ceil

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  14. “But it’s the little victories that need to be celebrated.” Yes, yes! I’m a big believer in little things because they do add up. Good for you in finishing your walk. I have to talk myself into things like that all the time. Sometimes I succeed; sometimes, not. :) But all is well.

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    • Hi Lisa! Small steps is the way I make my way, and as you said, they do add up! Thank you for your encouragement about the walk. I had to cheer myself on there, believe it!

      I don’t always succeed either. That’s the roller coaster ride of life. Up and down…but always up again :)

      Have a great afternoon!
      Ceil

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    • Hi Jerralea! I do love to sleep…

      But getting up when the alarm clock buzzes is a real challenge for me. When I do, I’m very happy! It’s the little victories.

      Thanks for stopping by today! (I do love a good cupcake!),
      Ceil

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  16. A very inspiring post. Thank you Ceil.

    We should rejoice even in small victories, as they help us prepare for bigger ones, (with God’s help).

    I can now resist a chocolate cupcake for at least five minutes. Took me three weeks to reach that stage. My target is ten minutes.

    God bless you and your family.

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  18. I think Ceil that most of the Christian life is one small step after another. There may be times we have those “giant leaps forward” but for me, it is one small step at a time. ?Tired?Sure. Sore? Sure. Worth it? you bet. On the other side: glad you are making an effort to get healthy, even if it allowing yourself a cupcake every once in awhile. :)

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    • Hi Bill! I’m with you for sure. I do think a few people make that huge leap all at once, but most of us are step by step.

      Well, the operative word here is ‘trying’ but thank you for noticing. Tomorrow is my anniversary, so there may be cupcakes involved!

      Have a peaceful evening,
      Ceil

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    • Hi Karen! I know! I’d love to be relied on in all things, so starting small is my way to get there. Bit by bit, I’ll get closer and closer to holiness.

      Isn’t walking fun? My brain takes a vacation while I get to be outdoors for an hour. I love it!

      Have a restful night, and thank you for your visit!
      Ceil

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  20. I’m always encouraged by what you share. I need to better appreciate those smaller victories. I’m realizing lately I still have the try harder/do more mentality when I know that is not what God requires of me. Thanks for the encouragement I think I needed more than I realized before reading. Blessings to you, friend. Wishing you a beautiful weekend. Let’s meet again soon!

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Dear! That’s a great way to know when you are starting down the wrong path. Good for you! I know when it’s bad because the passion is gone. I guess that would mean that I’d have to work harder at it.

      Thank you for your supportive comments! I’ll get in touch with you after the weekend.
      Hugs!
      Ceil

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  21. Dear Ceil,
    You are such a glorious wife – trying not to burden your husband.
    thank you for sharing your story and I’m so blessed of your attitude through that situation. God must be proud of you – you are not easy broken instead tough in faith. I just need to daring my heart to be brave for more.

    I enjoyed your comment in Stephanie’s blog.
    Will you be praying for me please? I just need my friends prayer to lift me. Thinking of you!
    blessing,
    Delvalina

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    • Hi Delvalina! I’m not so sure I’m glorious, but I do hang in there and try a lot. I do think the Lord honors that.

      I always pray for you, but I’ll keep you front and center in my heart. I have faith that God will bring you joy and peace.

      Have a good weekend my friend :)
      Ceil

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  22. Thanks God for the small victories, Ceil. We need the small wins to push us on to the bigger ones. When we add up all those small victories, pretty soon we have reached the top of the mountain and we didn’t even know it!

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    • Hi Kim! You understand what I am saying my friend. Small things are not small, because they lead us on to bigger works.

      I hope I get to that mountain. I think I’d like the view :)
      Have a blessed weekend!
      Ceil

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    • Hi Mindy! I have to approve comments before they show up, that’s why you don’t see your words when you submit. I got both of your notes, thank you!

      And thank you for your kind comment too.
      Have a wonderful weekend!
      Ceil

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  26. Hello Ceil, I’m a bit late getting around to reading and commenting on blogs. I loved this post…because it is so true…how many times have I given up on goals for some of the very things you mentioned. But you are so right! It is the little victories that we need to be celebrating! Thank you for the gentle reminder. :) xo

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    • Hi Dianna! Thank you for reading two posts today, and commenting on both too.

      I’m always glad to see you :) And I don’t think that we are alone in the fact that we are sidelined from our goals sometimes. We just have to celebrate those little victories, and start again! (I think I’ll be doing that my whole life.)

      But we’ll keep trying, right?
      Hope you had a wonderful Father’s Day!
      Ceil

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  27. Inspiring post and loved reading all the comments. You know i have been traveling with friends and am behind in reading blogs but what a gift it is to read this later – and at the right time for me – so I can enjoy all the comments too. Great conversation here too. You are a good writer. Thanks for sharing!

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    • Hi Dear! How nice to see you here! I don’t think I knew you were away, so I hope you had a great time with your friends. We all need that break to refresh and reconnect :)

      Thank you for all your supportive comments about the writing and the conversation there. I do have some wonderful blog-friends, that’s for sure. I learn a lot every time I post.

      Hope you had a great Fathers Day Weekend!
      Ceil

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