Small Steps Count: Growth in Faith, Motherhood, and Life

It was my birthday on Thursday and this year, I’m pausing to reflect with you.

The past year has stretched and strengthened me in ways I didn’t expect. Some lessons came with laughter. Others came with tears. All of them came with growth.

But this isn’t just about me. As I share what I’ve learned, I’m inviting you to pause too. To reflect. To listen in and ask:
What might this mean for me?

Here are 4 reflections from the past year and some gentle questions you might sit with too.

Small Steps Still Count

I have seen it in my career, my family life, and even in starting this blog. Small steps count more than we often realize.

I had always wanted to do something I truly enjoyed and loved. Growing up, I used to write a lot. Writing was such a big part of me. But then life happened, and somewhere along the way, I stopped.

Last year, I started looking into the idea of launching a blog, and let me tell you, it felt overwhelming at first. There were so many moving parts and things to figure out. It would have been easy to stay stuck.

But instead, small steps were taken. I enrolled in a course, started following people who inspired me, and kept learning and moving forward, even when progress felt slow.

And now, when I look back, I am amazed at how far I have come.
There is still so much more I want to do and certainly so much more to learn, but I can tell you with confidence that I am not the same person I was last year.

The same thing has shown up in my career. Early this year, I committed to being more intentional at work. I talked about being a light in the workplace and chose to live it out. You can read it here. I started praying more intentionally, building better connections, and approaching each day with a little more purpose.

Even though I have faced curveballs, my job does not feel as daunting anymore. It feels meaningful, different, and it all started with small steps.

The same lesson keeps showing up in motherhood, too. With my son, I have seen how just five minutes here, ten minutes there, can create growth. I used to think I was not doing enough. Now I realize that the small steps- the quick affirmations, the bedtime stories, the little teaching moments matter more than I could have imagined.

Maybe there are baby steps in your own life that you need to stop and reflect on too. Maybe it is time to give yourself some flowers. Those small steps you are taking are actually counting for something bigger. You just need to stay consistent.

I hope that by this time next year, I will be able to speak about being consistent with working out, too. We are all growing somewhere.

🧡 What small thing have you been doing that deserves more credit than you’ve given it? What if that little thing is actually changing everything?

Toddlers Learn More Than You Think

I am very optimistic about toddlers and learning, and to be fair, this really ties back to the idea that small steps count.

With toddlers, you do not always see the results right away. But the seeds you plant are growing quietly under the surface.

An Unexpected Lesson

The other day, my son was getting ready for the park when his aunt asked him to go grab his socks from his room. Honestly, I did not think he would do it. The staircase was dark, and he does not like going upstairs alone. I was also under the weather, so I figured he knew I would not be the one going to get them.

Normally, this would have ended in a meltdown. Delays and change can be hard for little ones. But instead of whining or pushing back, he paused, looked up, and said:
“I have the mind of Christ. I am not scared. Jesus is in my belly.”

Then he ran upstairs, got the socks, and came back down ready to go. I stood there completely still.

That moment reminded me that he is watching and learning. All the simple truths I speak over him are sinking in, even when I cannot see them immediately.

I have also become more intentional in our conversations, and that intentionality has helped him grow and helped me grow too. I am learning to slow down, to listen better, and to trust that those little seeds of truth and encouragement are building something powerful inside him.

And please, if God lays something on your heart to teach your little one, please teach them. These kids are learning more than we realize. They are soaking in everything we say, and the simple truths we share can have a profound impact.

🧡 Where are you sowing seeds right now that may seem small? What if the growth is happening even when you cannot see it yet?

Feedback and Criticism Aren’t Always Bad

One of the biggest things I’ve learned this year is to stop fearing feedback. I used to focus too much on how it was said or who said it. But a boss of mine once told me,
“Feedback is a gift—and so is criticism.”

That stuck with me. And this year, it showed up in real ways.

Some feedback I received made me question myself. It wasn’t easy. It hurt a little. But when I looked closer, I saw something valuable in it. It helped me pause and reflect.

Here’s what I’ve learned: Don’t focus too much on the person delivering the message. Some people can be plain-meaning when delivering feedback, but that is okay. The way it’s said doesn’t take away from the value of the feedback.

Instead of reacting to the tone or delivery, take some time to think about the message and look for ways to grow from it. Ask yourself:

• What areas of my work or life can I improve?
• Are there patterns in the feedback that I should pay attention to?
• How can I use this to better myself and move forward?

By separating the message from the messenger, you’ll be able to gain wisdom from every piece of feedback, even the tough stuff.

🧡 What feedback have you received lately that you may have initially dismissed? How can you look at it from a place of growth instead of reaction?

God Is Listening and God Is in the Story

Sometimes, it feels like God isn’t listening, or maybe it’s that we’re not seeing the answers in the way we expect. But I’ve come to realize that God is always in your story, perfectly knitting things together—even when it feels like everything is falling apart.

He really wants us to be vulnerable with Him, especially in those overwhelming moments. The times when you don’t feel like being kind to your husband, or when you wish you could quit your job, or when your kids are just getting on your last nerve. You don’t need to hide that from God. You don’t need to knock yourself out for not being perfect, mutter it under your breath, take a moment to read His word, and know that He’s actually closer than you think.

I’ve had those moments, where it felt like I was running on empty, but every time I took that small step to just be real with Him, I found peace I didn’t expect. One of my favorite songs is “Not in a Hurry”—it’s such a powerful reminder that we’re not rushing; God is present in every moment, even the messy ones. You can listen to the song here

So hold on, mama. You’re doing amazing, and God is so proud of you. Sometimes, you just need to pause, reflect, and trust that He’s working things out, even when you can’t see it yet.

🧡 Where in your life are you feeling overwhelmed? Have you given those moments to God, even in the quietest way?

Final Thoughts

This birthday, I’m not just celebrating another year. I’m celebrating another layer—another level of becoming, of learning, of trusting God more deeply.

And I want to encourage you:
Don’t wait for a milestone to pause and reflect.
You don’t have to have it all figured out.
You just have to keep showing up, one small step at a time.

✨ Here’s to growing. Here’s to grace.
And here’s to seeing God in all the moments that didn’t look like miracles—but were.

With love,
Tomy 💛