Start Small. Start Now.

The longer we wait to fix what’s broken, the harder it becomes—but we’re not alone in the work.

Some memories can’t be rebuilt, but God still brings light through the ashes.

Life is a series of choices. We make unconscious decisions every day, often without realizing their impact.

Recently, life threw me a challenge I never expected—my house fire.

I tell people I’m dealing with it, and I am… to a point. But until I actually see the burnt-out shell of my home, I haven’t truly faced it.

Right now, it’s a vague acceptance. But I’m holding out hope that it’s not the brutal reality that I’ve lost twenty-five years of memories. That’s the most challenging part. The house can be rebuilt, and it will be. The possessions can be replaced. But the memories can’t—and that’s the most challenging part of dealing with this.

As the reports come in from the fire marshal and contractors, I can’t help but notice how God had people in place to help when it mattered most. A friend of a family member left work early to check on them. Someone I grew up with was part of the fire department that responded. Those aren’t coincidences. That’s divine planning.

I’ve been putting off deep cleaning my house for years. I could always find a reason why it wasn’t the right time—but excuses don’t change reality. My house didn’t reach that point overnight, and I wasn’t going to fix it overnight either.

The fire forced me to face a truth I’d been avoiding for years.

Why do we think our problems appear out of nowhere? Most don’t. They start small, quietly building over months, years, even decades.

The truth is, the issue becomes bigger because we keep ignoring it. We tell ourselves we’ll “get around to it,” but if we genuinely wanted to fix it, we’d find a way. When something matters, nothing stops us. We see the time, the energy, and the resources to make it happen.

God doesn’t expect perfection—He expects obedience, even in the smallest steps.

Now, with a clean slate and much of my to-do list wiped out—cleaning, repairing, replacing—I have an opportunity to do things right this time. We need not let them get out of hand again.

So, I’m starting small.

First, I’m taking a photo inventory of what I have left, with dates and costs where possible. I pray I’ll never need it, but if I do, I’ll be prepared.

Second, I’m going through everything and asking, Do I actually use or wear this? If not, it’s time to donate it—or let it go entirely.

It’s always easier to fix a small problem before it becomes overwhelming.

What about you? Is there something you’ve been putting off—your will, paperwork, sorting your belongings, maybe a challenging conversation you know you need to have?

Whatever it is, start today. Take one small step. Acknowledge what needs to be done and ask God for the strength to begin.

You can add more steps to the plan later, but for now, keep it simple: make a plan, start small, and keep moving forward. Don’t overwhelm yourself and quit before you even begin.

You can do this. One problem at a time. Finish it, then move on to the next one.

Because you’re not doing this alone.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” — James 1:22

Obedience doesn’t wait for convenience. It starts small—right where you are.

Small steps, taken with God, lead to lasting change.