A tree grows in New England
When I bought my first home in Barre, VT, there was a tree in the backyard that the former owner had planted when his children were young. He was emotional as he shared how his family had watched the tree grow from a seedling to a small tree during the twenty years he owned the house. It was our joy to watch over the next twelve years as the small tree grew. A decade ago, when I sold the home, I shared the story with the new owner so that she would know about the tree’s journey and what it meant to the family who planted it. That tree is now mature and looks great in her backyard.
What a transition from seedling to maturity it has made, under the careful stewardship of three homeowners. Every time I think of that tree I am reminded of how often things that start small become great when stewarded well.
Like that tree, I have often seen an idea, event, system, or significant movement start small and grow over time. Rarely does a great idea come to fruition overnight. It often takes years of dreaming, planning, and hard work for an idea to become a reality. Someone must have the courage to begin to work the dream, no matter how humble the beginning might be. Others then come along and steward the dream and it grows into something bigger. In time, it becomes the great accomplishment the original dreamer conceived of so long ago.
God rejoices when we step out in faith and try to do something significant, even if it starts very small.
The prophet Zechariah tried to teach this concept when he wrote, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin . . .” (Zech 4:10, NLT). God rejoices when we finally act on the dreams and visions he puts in our hearts. God rejoices when we step out in faith and try to do something significant, even if it starts very small.
Our Baptist Foundation of New England is a current example of that concept. It began as a dream in Paul Gallier’s heart in the early 1990s. When Paul “graduated to glory,” others stewarded the dream and bit by bit something mighty began to emerge. It is exciting to see a multi-generational dream being fulfilled.
What dream has God put on your heart for New England? Are you willing to partner with the foundation in making that dream happen? Don’t worry if it starts small, almost all dreams do. But if we never start, then the dream will never be fulfilled. So, let’s find ways to work together to provide the resources needed to fulfill all the dreams God has put into the hearts of His children in New England.
Dr. Terry W. Dorsett serves as the executive director of the Baptist Convention of New England.
