God-sized Dreams

Where Dreams Set Sail

Will God Make My Dreams A Reality?

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Holley Gerth’s book, You’re Made For A God-Sized Dream will always hold a special place in my heart. You see, this is the book that started it all. My mom (Holley) had donated a ton of copies of this book to the house I was living at. After reading this book, I found her number and just wanted to thank her because the book had helped me so much. She asked me to hang out, and the rest is history.

I had a dream that seemed so small and silly, and so I tucked it away deep in my heart. I tried to avoid thinking about it because I feared that I would fail and be rejected. Through this book I laid everything out before God, admitting that I had a dream of being married, for the very first time.

The church had drilled it into my head that I should be content with where God had me. If I had a dollar for every time I heard the phrases, “Give it to God” and “Date God”, I’m pretty sure I could have paid for my entire wedding. So I lived in fear that I was letting God down by desiring a husband. I didn’t have anyone to sit me down and walk me through the emotions that came with loneliness.

Looking back I can’t help but smile because my mom was parenting me through her books before she even met me. The adversary used to hold me captive with fear. I feared that I was damaged goods and not good enough to be loved by anyone. [clickToTweet tweet=”Fear is a liar.” quote=”Fear is a liar.”]

I eventually stepped out in faith and let people get to know me. The real me. They saw the good, the bad, and the ugly. I felt naked, exposed, and vulnerable. It scared the heck out of me. Underneath my “independent” facade was a girl who wanted to be loved so badly it hurt. A girl who couldn’t believe a guy chose her. I was in such disbelief that I would frequently find myself saying,“promise you aren’t going anywhere?” a million times a day.

I’d trusted God, let people in, and was terrified of letting them go.

Underneath my cemented outer shell was fear that someone would walk away when they saw what I saw. I thought the couple that wanted to be my parents would walk away when they found something better. I thought they deserved something better. 

God walked with me through my fear and slowly, I began to trust. I didn’t have to ask that guy if he was staying because I knew he was here forever. He even gave me a ring to prove it. I could show the roller coaster of emotions I had to my parents as we learned to live life as a family. I knew that they would love me through my trauma.

I stopped living the lie that I wasn’t good enough because my parents and husband treated me like I was. Slowly, I began to see myself the way God does, and I’ve never looked back. I am so thankful that I didn’t give in to my fears because If I had, I wouldn’t have a mom, dad, husband, and daughter. I’d still be lonely, looking at that book, wishing but never trusting…and not allowing God to make my desires a reality.

I would have missed out on His best for me.

~ Lovelle <3

Shared by: Lovelle Gerth-Myers

Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

                               

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Setting Aside Your Dream

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One year ago my life changed forever when I saw the faint pink line on the pregnancy test. Since I had graduated college only six months earlier, being a stay at home mom had never even crossed my mind. I’d worked five years to obtain that expensive piece of paper. Surely, I’d use it, right? Wrong.

Here I am a year later and my life looks nothing like I thought it would. My “career” is being a full-time caregiver, housekeeper, and cook. My husband, on the other hand, got a promotion right as I started staying home. As my “career” came to a stopping point, his was only beginning.

As long as we had been married, my husband had supported me and encouraged me in my dreams. He tutored me every evening while I struggled through college and had gone to countless speaking engagements with me. Even at women’s retreats, he would stand outside the door of the auditorium listening to me since men weren’t allowed.

When I asked to have my website designed, he didn’t care about the cost, he said, “of course”. That life coach certification? I got a yes in two seconds.

He happy danced with me when I got the news that I was going to be published in a devotional and always reminded me of my worth.

There is a season for everything. For me, this season looks like setting some of my dreams and that expensive piece of paper aside so I can care for the house while my husband works to care for me and our little girl. It means cleaning and cooking so that I can make my husband’s life a little easier since his hours at work got longer.

I’d be lying if I said it was easy. As much as I would love to say that vacuuming and changing diapers is fulfilling, it isn’t. I pray daily that the Lord will help me find joy in the mundane. My husband is good at what he does and from the looks of it, he only has room to grow in the company. This season means supporting my husband while he reaches for his dream. It’s the least I can do since he’s always supported me in mine.

[clickToTweet tweet=”Some seasons we are called to be active while other seasons involve us standing on the sidelines” quote=” Some seasons we are called to be active while other seasons involve us standing on the sidelines.”] I am determined to be content in whatever season the Lord has me in. 

My heart swells with happiness when my husband comes home to tell me about his day. He’s happy and proud of what he does. The Lord isn’t done with me yet and in His time, I’ll be able to pick up where I left off. Until then I’ll continue to be the cheerleader on the sidelines pushing my husband to be all that God has called him to be because that’s how I can support him while he works to achieve his dream.

What season has God placed you in? What are some ways you find contentment? I’d love to hear about it.

Shared by: Lovelle Gerth-Myers

                  

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Believing You Can When You Feel Like You Can’t

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Every week I find myself staring in the mirror as the tiny little surprise in my belly grows bigger. I count down the months until our little girl gets here and although most of the time I get excited, there are times I want to run somewhere and hide because I have no idea how to raise a tiny human. Being a mom has always been a dream of mine; I just didn’t expect it to come this soon, and I didn’t realize how scary stepping into this new role would be.

You see, I struggle with remembering to feed my dog, and although he’s pretty cute–I find him to be high maintenance. Our dog knows 12 different commands and listens to us. He’s even potty trained and lives to please his owners; so if I struggle with that, then how I can do this whole “mom” thing? Not too long ago I was reading the book of Judges, and I came across the story of Barak in Chapter 4.

There was this judge named Deborah. Israel was being oppressed by this mean guy named Sisera who was the commander of the Canaanite Army. God told her to seek out a man named Barak because God was going to give Barak victory over the Canaanite Army. She found Barak and told him what the Lord had said. Instead of trusting the Lord to use him to the fullest, Barak was filled with doubt and only agreed to do what God asked if Deborah met his terms.

Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.” “Very Well,” She replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman…”
Judges 4:8-9 (NLT)

Out of all the people in Israel, God chose Barak because God saw something in him that set him apart from everyone else. God literally handed Barak this crazy amazing dream. It wasn’t often God specifically asked for people, let alone chose them to conquer a whole army, and Barak completely missed his chance because he doubted his abilities.

I can relate to that so much. I am Barak. I make excuses for why I can’t achieve certain dreams God’s laid on my heart or put in front of me. I reluctantly agree, but I often ask for things to go a certain way in order to do what God wants me to do. I don’t want my self doubt to cause me to miss out on a dream. This story reminded me that, all too often, I let my self doubt limit my dreams. There are times that I completely miss God’s miracles because I am too wrapped up in myself.

I’m ready to hold my head high and embrace the crazy dreams God has for me.

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God chose me and my husband to raise this little girl because He saw something in us. He invested a lot of time and energy creating her DNA and facial structure. He knows the number of hairs on her precious head, and even her eye color. There’s no one like this little girl growing inside me. Even her fingerprints set her apart.

It’s a big job that God gave us and we are capable because He’s with us. Will we mess up? Well, yes, but our mistakes don’t define us so we certainly aren’t going to let the possibility of mistakes cause us to miss out on important moments like watching her turn over, speak her first words, or walk. We will embrace the task He’s set before us and conquer parenting like a boss.

I will trust God’s plan and embrace the power He’s given me as the daughter of a King.

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With that being said, Eula Ellen Myers we can’t wait to meet you in August… <3

 Shared by: Lovelle Gerth-Myers

It’s Never Too Late For A Happily Ever After

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I’ve been given up on. I’ve been abused and neglected. I’ve seen things I would never wish on anyone and have used my circumstances as an excuse to be bitter and downright mean. I’ve made mistakes and said horrible things I wish I could take back and I’ve hurt people who don’t deserve it.

I’ve seen God change my heart and my mindset. He’s taken the pain I’ve experienced as well as the things I have done and used it for His good. Through the years He has turned that pain and bitterness into passion: Passion to show others to the healer of our soul. God can take our deepest pain -you know, the stuff that you hide from everyone- and slowly, make it not hurt so bad.

I’ve healed a lot in the few years that I’ve been saved and I’ve seen God perform miracles. He’s given me new names that have redefined who I am. I’m no longer unwanted but a daughter to two amazing people as well as a daughter to the King of Kings. I am no longer unworthy, but instead a wife to a wonderful man. Soon God may even add the title “mom.” Life is full of many new beginnings and I’ve learned to embrace them fully. I do that by remembering this one powerful truth:

Through it all I have learned that I am not defined by what I have done or how the world sees me.

We are defined by what God has done in our lives. Friend, He makes no mistakes.

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Every trial and mistake is a testimony that leaves a path towards a new beginning. Out of the seven billion people on earth, God has people that can benefit from our mess ups and trials. Our testimonies always serve a purpose. 🙂

Shared by: Lovelle Gerth- Myers

                                                                                                         

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We Serve A Faithful God and The #DreamTogether Linkup

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As I look back at my life and where God has brought me, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. I feel like I’m on top of a mountain. After a long hard climb, I am finally here in my promised land, and I’m reaping the harvest of my endurance.

Six years ago I was isolated and alone. I had no one. All I knew was working full time in high school and college. I was a broken and scared girl because of 17 years of experiencing every type of abuse.

I tried so hard to control my surroundings because I refused to be hurt again, but I was never in control. Fear consumed and controlled me. God found me homeless at the age of 17. He gave me endurance I didn’t know I had.

He gave me hope in the midst of a hopeless situation. For years, I held on to His words: the best is yet to come. I didn’t know exactly what that meant, but I believed it with my whole heart even though my situation looked quite the opposite.

Obtaining my high school degree seemed like a dream that was far away and nearly impossible. I did it and got thrown into a community college. I continued on and pushed myself forward, looking toward the finish line, uncertain of my future. 

The Lord is so faithful.

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Now, six years later the Lord has done the impossible. I got adopted at the age of 21, so now I have parents and a huge support system cheering me on. I’ve been married to an amazing Godly man for almost two years, and this past May I completed one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. I graduated with my Bachelors Degree.

I’ve come so far in the six years I’ve been saved. I’ve learned to trust. I’ve gained a whole new family. I am stable and out of poverty. I’m learning what living for God really looks like by watching the example of my amazing in-laws and new family.

I am thankful that the Lord took a broken girl and did the impossible. He saw something in me that I didn’t know I had. He never stopped pursued me and He constantly reminded me that His ways are no limit to my circumstances. 

He gave me healing.
He gave me parents.
He gave me an amazing husband.
He gave me my first home.
He gave me a job where I can use my horrible past for Him.
He showed me that I AM worthy.

You want to know the best part? This isn’t the end. I’ve got even bigger dreams that God has formed in this huge heart of mine and a faith that believes they will come to pass.

Remember friends, God is not limited by our circumstance.

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<3

                                                  

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I joined @GodsizeDreams for their #DreamTogether linkup!

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Our Differences Make Us Stronger

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Differences Make us Stronger

“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well…”
~ Romans 12:6 NLT

I had just started leading a small group of teens. This particular group had another leader who had been investing for 3 years. Going in, I was determined to be the best that I could be. I had plans and ideas that I was ready to put into place (notice the amount of “I’s” in that sentence?).

I am the kind of person who puts every ounce of energy into something. I wanted to see the girls outside of small group, but, unfortunately, my co-leader had a lot on her plate and wasn’t able to.

As the months went on, I began to feel frustrated and upset. My co-leader didn’t do things like I did, and I finally became frustrated enough to ask someone in the ministry about it. Boy, I am so glad I did.

“I want her to be more involved.” I said. The wise woman paused for a second and made a powerful statement that seriously changed how I looked at service. She said, “It’s important to remember that people don’t always serve in the same ways.”

I went to that woman expecting her to change my co-leader, but when the conversation ended I felt God changing me. You see, without realizing it, I had become prideful. Frustrations ran high when she did not meet my expectations.

When we collaborate, we can’t expect others to do things exactly like us.

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God made everyone unique. 

In sports, everyone plays a different position, and even though all those positions look a little different, they still work together to achieve the same goal.

Once I dropped my expectations, started embracing her gifts, and began to focus on how God created her, I began to appreciate my co-leader more. I began to see that our differences caused the group to have more balance. Things became WAY less awkward, and it didn’t seem as hard to work together. Without even intending it, we became a team, and sure enough, our small group grew even closer.

Are you struggling with certain expectations? Are you feeling frustrated because someone’s gifts or talents don’t look like yours? Do you feel like the things you bring to the table aren’t good enough? In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well… (Rom. 12:6)

We weren’t made to do things the same. Our differences can bring us together and help us reach our full potential.

By embracing the talents and gifts of others we can better collaborate to achieve our dreams.

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Shared By: Lovelle Gerth- Myers