Advertise on podcast: The Small Beginnings with Sara Thurman Price

Send us Fan Mail What if the moments that feel like failure are actually opportunities for God to do something greater? Life doesn't always unfold the way we expect. Sometimes we face disappointment, unexpected challenges, or circumstances we simply cannot understand. But even in those moments, God is still working. In this episode of Small Beginnings, Sarah shares lessons from an unexpected experience on the golf course and a much more tender season of walking alongside a dear friend facing the end of her life. Through both experiences, she's learning that joy doesn't have to depend on our circumstances and that trusting God often means surrendering our need to understand the outcome. Drawing from Proverbs 3:5–6, Sarah encourages us to look beyond what isn't going according to plan and recognize what God may be doing right in front of us. Whether you're facing disappointment, stepping into something new, or navigating a season of uncertainty, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to understand the whole story to trust the One who is writing it. Sometimes victory isn't about the outcome. It's about showing up, loving the people beside us, and finding joy in God's presence along the way. Scripture: Proverbs 3:5–6

Send us Fan Mail There’s something about a new season that makes us want to begin again. As fall finally arrives in Texas, I’ve been thinking about the rhythms of my own life—and one small beginning Earl and I have been putting off for almost ten months. We finally went to the gym together. It wasn’t a huge accomplishment. We didn’t reach a big goal. We simply showed up for Day One. And I celebrated it. Because sometimes we’re so focused on whether we’ll finish that we forget there’s something worth celebrating about simply beginning. Zechariah 4:10 says, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.” In this episode of Small Beginnings, I’m talking about the difference between chasing big resolutions and creating rhythms we can actually live in. We’ll look at how God created life with rhythm—work and rest, planting and harvesting, morning and evening—and how a new season can be an invitation to ask: “Lord, what rhythm do You want me to establish in this season?” Maybe your Day One is a ten-minute walk. Maybe it’s opening your Bible before your phone. Maybe it’s picking up a paintbrush again, going back to church, preparing healthier meals, getting more rest, or simply making space each morning to listen for God’s voice. Whatever it is, you don’t have to change everything at once. Start small. Find your rhythm. Invite God into it. And celebrate the beginning. Because every meaningful journey has a Day One—and small beginnings matter. 🎙️ Listen to this week’s episode of Small Beginnings with Sara and ask God what your Day One might be.

Send us Fan Mail What are you waiting for right now? An answer. A breakthrough. A relationship. A child. A new opportunity. Healing. A door to open. Or maybe simply clarity about what comes next. Waiting can be one of the hardest places to trust God because it reminds us how little we can control. But what if the waiting isn’t wasted? In this episode of Small Beginnings, Sarah Thurman Price shares stories from her own life of waiting—for marriage, children, retirement, and love after loss—and the ways she has seen God’s timing make sense on the other side. Together, we’ll look at what Scripture says about waiting, why sometimes God’s “wait” is actually preparation, and how we can remain faithful without trying to force what comes next. If you’re in a season where God feels quiet or the answer seems slow, this episode is an encouragement to keep trusting. You may not be able to see the whole story yet—but God can. “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” — Psalm 27:14

Send us Fan Mail Beginning is exciting. But what happens after the first step? Last week, I shared one of my favorite scriptures, Zechariah 4:10: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” But small beginnings don’t stay beginnings forever. Eventually, they ask something more of us: consistency, courage, and the willingness to keep showing up. In this episode of Small Beginnings, I’m sharing what God has been teaching me about being willing to be a beginner—even later in life. After stepping outside my comfort zone in a women’s golf tournament, I found myself thinking about my own desire to succeed. When does pursuing excellence become pressure to prove ourselves? When does wanting to win keep us from enjoying the gift of simply getting to participate? Maybe the real victory isn’t always coming in first. Sometimes the win is that I showed up. I was obedient. I was courageous. I learned something. I kept going. And after nearly 50 years since high school, I’m learning there is something beautiful about slowing down enough to enjoy the life God has given me—to stop and smell the roses, sit on the bench for a while, and notice the sunrise and sunset instead of always rushing toward the next accomplishment. We’ll also talk about why our small beginnings need rhythms if they’re going to grow. Jesus Himself had rhythms of withdrawing, praying, returning, and serving. Maybe what God has begun in you doesn’t need a giant leap. Maybe it needs ten minutes every morning. One page. One walk. One prayer. One painting. One faithful step at a time. I’m living this out again as I begin something new myself: Painting Our Prayers, a women’s Bible study where we’ll gather around the Psalms, listen for God’s voice, pray, and respond through watercolor. Because I’m learning that we never really graduate from new beginnings. God still speaks. He still invites us into unfamiliar places. And sometimes, He may be calling us to something creative—or even something that feels impossible. So what is your next faithful step? You don’t have to see the whole journey. You don’t have to be the best person in the room. And you don’t have to prove anything. Be faithful with what God has placed in your hands, create a rhythm that makes room for it, and trust Him with the harvest. In this episode, we’ll talk about: Being willing to be a beginnerPursuing excellence without carrying the pressure of perfectionWhy comparison can steal the joy of growthCreating simple rhythms for the things God is asking you to nurtureRecognizing victories that never show up on a scoreboardReleasing the outcome and trusting God with the harvestTaking your next faithful step—even when you can’t see where it will leadIf God has been stirring something in your heart—a painting, a prayer, a book, a ministry, a business, or something you can’t quite explain yet—I hope this episode reminds you that you don’t need the whole plan. You just need the courage to take the next faithful step. Listen to this week’s episode of Small Beginnings with Sara Thurman Price, and if you’re ready to explore what it looks like to say yes to the creative impossible, my book Small Beginnings: A Journey to the Impossible shares more of my own journey of hearing God, beginning before I felt qualified, and discovering what He can do with one small yes.

Send us Fan Mail What if the thing God is asking you to begin feels far bigger than anything you could accomplish on your own? I’m recording this episode from the mountains of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, a place that holds a very special piece of my story. Nearly ten years ago, while camping in this same meadow with my late husband, Wayman, I heard God tell me to write a book. I didn’t feel like a writer. I didn’t know where to start. And I certainly couldn’t see what God could do with that one small act of obedience. That book became Small Beginnings: A Journey to the Impossible—the first of seven books I would eventually write. In this episode, I’m sharing what returning to this place has reminded me about hearing God, creating space to listen, carrying both gratitude and grief, and having the courage to begin before we can see the whole story. Maybe God has placed something inside of you—a book, a painting, a ministry, a business, a song, or an idea you can’t seem to shake. Maybe He spoke it years ago and you’re wondering if you waited too long. You don’t have to see the whole journey. You just have to be willing to take the next step. Zechariah 4:10 tells us, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.” Not just the finished work. The beginning. So make some space. Quiet the noise. Ask God what He has placed inside of you—and then have the courage to begin. And if you’re standing at the edge of your own impossible beginning, my book Small Beginnings: A Journey to the Impossible shares the story of how God called me into a creative life I never could have imagined for myself. I hope it reminds you that God still speaks, He still invites us to create with Him, and He can do more with one willing step than we could ever see from the beginning.

Send us Fan Mail What if the greatest gift God wants to give you today isn’t a solution, a breakthrough, or an answered prayer—but His presence? In this episode, I share stories of unexpected encounters with God, from a tiny hummingbird that appeared outside my window in Cozumel to simple moments of loving and serving others. Together we'll explore how God often shows up in the ordinary, the unexpected, and the spaces we intentionally leave open for Him. We'll talk about why slowing down matters, how God's presence often comes through people, and why creating margin in our lives allows us to recognize His fingerprints all around us. If you've been feeling rushed, overwhelmed, or distracted, this episode is an invitation to pause, be still, and ask a simple question: "God, where are You today?" Because wherever His presence is, there is fullness of joy. Scriptures:  Psalm 16:11  Psalm 46:10  Matthew 25:40  1 John 4:16  Ephesians 5:16-17 God is still speaking. Sometimes we just need to slow down enough to hear Him.

Send us Fan Mail How much of your life are you actually present for? It’s easy to physically be in one place while our minds are somewhere else—replaying yesterday, worrying about tomorrow, or rushing through today without noticing what God has placed right in front of us. In this episode of Small Beginnings, Sarah talks about the gift of being fully present and what Scripture teaches us about releasing yesterday, trusting God with tomorrow, and receiving today. Inspired in part by Scottie Scheffler’s approach to staying present—one shot, one moment at a time—Sarah explores what it could look like to practice that same kind of presence in our everyday lives and our walk with God. Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow. He teaches us to ask for our daily bread. Scripture reminds us that God’s mercies are new every morning. There is grace for today. There is provision for today. There are people to love today. There is obedience for today. And there is a life God has given you to actually live today. In this episode, Sarah shares three simple practices: Release yesterday. Refuse to live tomorrow today. Receive the moment in front of you. Because you can learn from yesterday, but you can’t live there. You can prepare for tomorrow, but you can’t live there either. The only moment you can actually receive is the one God has given you right now. So put down the phone. Look at the person in front of you. Notice the flowers. Listen to the laughter. Feel the breeze. Pay attention to the ordinary places where God’s goodness is already meeting you. Yesterday is in God’s hands. Tomorrow is in God’s hands. And today is His gift to you. Be here for it. Key Scriptures: Matthew 6:11, Matthew 6:34, Philippians 3:13–14, Lamentations 3:22–23, Psalm 118:24

Send us Fan Mail Is it okay to ask God for favor—not only His favor, but favor with other people? Maybe you’re walking into an important meeting, interviewing for a job, trying to sell a house, having a difficult conversation, launching something new, or waiting for someone else’s decision to open a door. Can you actually pray, “God, would You give me favor with this person?” In this episode of Small Beginnings with Sarah Thurman Price, Sarah looks at what Scripture teaches about favor through the lives of Nehemiah, Joseph, Daniel, Esther, and even Jesus. Again and again, we see God working through people to accomplish His purposes. Nehemiah needed the king to say yes. Esther needed the king to extend the scepter. Joseph was granted favor with the prison warden. Daniel received favor and compassion from an official. But there’s an important distinction: the person was never the source. God was. We’ll talk about what it means to ask God for favor without trying to manipulate an outcome, why God’s favor doesn’t always look like an open door, and how even a “no” can sometimes be His protection. If you’re facing a situation that feels dependent on someone else’s response, this episode is an invitation to remember who ultimately holds the outcome. You can ask God to go before you. You can ask Him to prepare hearts. You can ask Him to establish the work of your hands. And yes—you can ask Him to give you favor with people. “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us.” — Psalm 90:17 In this episode: Is it biblical to pray for favor with another person?What Nehemiah teaches us about asking God for favorHow God gave Daniel, Joseph, and Esther favor with peopleThe difference between favor and popularityWhy favor doesn’t mean every door will openHow to pray for favor while surrendering the outcome to GodRemembering that people may be the vessel—but God is the sourceKey Scriptures: Nehemiah 1:11 Daniel 1:9 Genesis 39:21 Esther 5:1–2 Luke 2:52 Psalm 90:17 A truth to carry with you this week: People may be the vessel through which favor comes—but God is the source.

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wished you could sit down with your younger self for just one conversation? What would you say? Would you warn yourself about the hard seasons... encourage yourself to take more risks... or simply remind yourself to trust God? In this episode of Small Beginnings, I reflect on that very question through the lens of Scripture. Together we'll explore what it means to trust God's plans even when life doesn't unfold the way we imagined, why some of our hardest seasons become the places where God shapes us most, and how looking back often reveals His faithfulness in ways we couldn't see at the time. We'll spend time in Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 3:5–6, Romans 5, Psalm 139, and other passages that remind us God has been writing our story all along. Whether you're just beginning a new chapter or looking back over many years, I pray this conversation encourages you to trust the Author of your story, embrace the season you're in, and find joy in the ordinary gifts God has placed before you. At the end of the episode, I'll leave you with two simple questions that just might change the way you see both your past and your future. I hope you'll join me.

Send us Fan Mail Why is it so difficult to trust God when life doesn't make sense? In this episode of Small Beginnings, I share a personal journey I've been walking as God has gently whispered two simple words to my heart: "Trust Me." Together, we'll explore what it means to have blessed assurance—not because we have all the answers, but because we know the One who does. We'll look at the incredible story behind the beloved hymn "Blessed Assurance," unpack powerful Scriptures that anchor us in uncertain seasons, and discover practical ways to keep trusting God when we're waiting, grieving, praying, or holding onto hope. If you're facing unanswered questions, walking through a difficult diagnosis, grieving a loss, or simply longing for God's peace in the middle of uncertainty, I pray this conversation reminds you that His character never changes—even when your circumstances do. You don't have to understand everything to trust the One who understands everything. I hope you'll join me for this encouraging conversation.

Send us Fan Mail What do you do when you've prayed... waited... and nothing seems to be changing? In this episode of Small Beginnings, I want to encourage anyone who finds themselves in that space between God's promise and its fulfillment. After waiting seven long months for my husband's house to sell, the Lord gently shifted something in my heart. Instead of focusing on what I couldn't see, I began thanking Him each day for the buyer—even though I had no idea who that person was. Just days later, God answered in a way only He could. We'll explore what Hebrews 11:1 really means, why honest prayers like, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief," matter so much, and how thanksgiving can transform our waiting into worship. I'll also share a simple picture that has forever changed the way I think about faith: we're not walking a tightrope, trying not to fall—we're walking a wide plank, securely held by the hands of a faithful God. If you're waiting for healing, provision, restoration, direction, or an answer that seems delayed, I pray this conversation reminds you that God is already at work, even when you can't yet see it. Sometimes all it takes is one phone call. One opportunity. One open door. One moment of God's favor to change everything. Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1, Mark 9:24, Proverbs 3:5–6, Isaiah 40:31, 2 Corinthians 5:7 If this episode encourages you, I'd love for you to share it with a friend who is in a season of waiting. And if you've never read my book Small Beginnings: A Journey to the Impossible, I hope it reminds you that God often does His greatest work through our smallest steps of faith.

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever looked at your life and thought, I don't have enough? Not enough money. Not enough strength. Not enough answers. Not enough time. In this episode of Small Beginnings, I want to encourage you with one of my favorite stories in Scripture from 1 Kings 17. During a devastating drought, God provided for Elijah in ways no one could have imagined—sending ravens to bring him food, leading him to a widow with only a handful of flour and a little oil, and then performing an even greater miracle by raising her son back to life. These powerful stories remind us that God's provision rarely looks the way we expect, but it is always exactly what we need. Together we'll explore: Why God often provides through unexpected people and circumstances.What to do when the "brook" in your life dries up.Why obedience often comes before the miracle.How God teaches us to trust Him one day—and one handful of flour—at a time.If you're walking through a season that feels dry, uncertain, or impossible, I pray this episode reminds you that the God who filled the widow's jar is the same God who still provides today. He hasn't forgotten you. He hasn't run out of resources. And He isn't finished writing your story. So grab your Bible, settle in, and let's discover what it means to trust God when the jar looks empty. Key Scripture: 1 Kings 17

Send us Fan Mail Summer has a way of slipping through our fingers. We wait all year for the longer days, fresh fruit, family gatherings, beautiful sunsets, and slower evenings—and then suddenly, the season is gone. But what if a memorable summer isn’t about doing more? What if it’s about noticing more? In this episode, we’re exploring Seven Simple Invitations for a Memorable Summer—practical ways to slow down, embrace the gifts God has placed around you, and become more aware of His presence in the ordinary moments of everyday life. From creating a soundtrack for the season and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation to making something beautiful, finishing what’s been weighing on you, giving away joy, and ending each day looking for God, these simple invitations will help you live the rest of your summer with greater intention, gratitude, and joy. Summer isn’t measured only by vacations, adventures, or everything you accomplish. It’s measured by the moments you fully receive—the meals shared, the sunsets noticed, the laughter enjoyed, the beauty created, and the people you love well. My prayer is that when summer comes to an end, you won’t simply say, “It went by so fast.” Instead, you’ll be able to look back and say, “God was so present this summer.” “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24

Send us Fan Mail There are seasons when I've wondered why God seemed so quiet. Maybe you've felt that too. You've prayed. You've waited. You've asked for direction. And yet it feels like heaven is silent. But lately I've been asking myself a different question. What if God isn't silent? What if He's been whispering all along, and I've simply been surrounded by too much noise to hear Him? Our world is loud. Notifications, schedules, endless responsibilities, and even good things can crowd out the quiet places where God so often speaks. One verse has stayed with me this week: "It stood still... and I heard a hushed voice." — Job 4:16 Stillness came before the whisper. In this week's episode of Small Beginnings, we're talking about learning to get quiet enough to hear God. We'll explore why God often speaks in whispers, how to quiet the noise inside our hearts, and four simple practices that can help you make space for His presence each day. One of the things I've discovered over the years is that some of my sweetest moments with God haven't happened when I was trying harder. They've happened when I slowed down enough to listen. Whether I'm journaling, painting, or simply sitting quietly with my Bible open, I've found that God is faithful to meet us when we make room for Him. This week, I want to encourage you to try something simple. Spend just five quiet minutes with the Lord. Before reaching for your phone... Before your to-do list... Before the world tells you what matters... Simply ask: "Lord, what do You want me to know today?" Then listen. I believe you may be surprised by what He whispers. 🎙️ Listen to this week's episode, "The Whisper After the Wind," and let's learn together how to recognize the gentle voice of our Good Shepherd. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. My prayer is that you discover His presence in the quiet and the peace that comes from simply being with Him.

Send us Fan Mail What if one small act of faithfulness each day could change your life? In this episode, I share the story behind a practice that first began in 2015 and has found its way back into my life again. After feeling the Lord nudge me during a recent retreat, I began a new journey: 100 Days Creating with God. For the next 100 days, I'll spend time reading Scripture, writing Scripture, journaling prayers, and creating simple watercolor paintings as a way of slowing down, listening, and making space for God. This isn't about creating perfect art. It's not about accomplishing something impressive. It's about showing up. Together we'll explore why small beginnings matter, how creativity helps us hear God's voice, the power of recording His faithfulness, and why consistent obedience often produces fruit we can't yet see. We'll also talk about the beauty of choosing a fixed season of faithfulness and how God often meets us in the ordinary moments we might otherwise overlook. Whether your creative expression looks like painting, gardening, baking, writing, photography, knitting, or simply taking a walk with God, this episode is an invitation to begin. Not perfectly. Just faithfully. In this episode you'll discover: • Why 100 days can be a powerful catalyst for spiritual growth • How creativity helps us slow down and pay attention to God's presence • The importance of recording God's faithfulness through journaling • Why small daily practices often lead to significant transformation • How God uses simple acts of obedience to grow our confidence and faith What might God do in your life if you simply showed up for 100 days? Grab your journal, your Bible, and a cup of coffee, and let's begin this journey together. Because a harvest is rarely produced in a single day. But 100 days of faithfully showing up with God just might change everything. https://stan.store/sarathurman/p/100-days-of-creating-with-god-psol9qtc