Mini-Milestones by Lisa Burkhardt Worley, D.Min.
I am on one of the busiest speaking stretches I have ever experienced—speaking eight times in two weeks, and officiating a wedding. Most were booked months ago, and at the time, I thought I could handle the load. However, I am tired, and although I still have a couple more sessions to teach from my original Bible study, Knowing the Father, I have allowed myself to take a break. This morning, I woke up at my usual 5:00 a.m. but prayed to sleep some more—and I did. When my eyes opened closer to 7:00 a.m., my husband proclaimed, “You’re sleeping your life away!” He wasn’t used to my sleeping in.
This morning, I took a pause for praise. I praised the LORD for his provision. I do not know how I produced all the content except that He supernaturally did it through me. I am slowing down my pace, resting, and celebrating a mini milestone.
It’s a good practice to stop and thank God after we cross the hurdles of life. Whether it’s completing a semester at school, successfully entertaining company, or finishing up a work or ministry project, it’s good to breathe and celebrate.
After the Israelites returned to rebuild the Temple after 70 years in exile, they celebrated once they laid the foundation. The priests put on their vestments and blew trumpets. The Levites were stationed to praise God with cymbals. They sang to the LORD: “For He is good; For His mercy upon Israel endures forever” (Ezra 3:11). Those who witnessed this shouted praise, and many of the older Israelites wept because they remembered the old Temple before the Babylonians razed it. The sound of joy mixed with wails could be heard far away.
This is a practice that we should adopt. Many of us, including myself, tend to push through a project until it is done. Instead, what if we create a rhythm that looks like this: work, rest, praise, work, rest, praise. Let’s thank God for the mini milestones. Let’s not forget His provision for our lives. He is worthy of praise for both small and large accomplishments.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)
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