A Community of Dreamers

March 1, 2017 By Lani Wiens 4 Comments

There we were, sitting around the table at the farm eating lunch. My husband was away hanging out with the prayer community at Breakforth (it’s a huge equipping event in Canada). The kids and I had decided it would be fun to head to the farm for the weekend and chill. My son brought his best friend along and we were doing what we’d come there for…chillin’ at the table. A community of chillers!

My 10-year old started it all. She said something about using her math skills as a super-power and the tangent exploded and the Whiz-Nurds were born. We started throwing ideas around and pretty soon we had a whole cast of characters with amazing super powers and a setting and some plot lines. My kids were so excited they kept coming up with new ideas for the rest of the day. They wouldn’t let me leave it alone; I was required to write down all the ideas so we wouldn’t forget anything! My task, now, is to write it because they want to read our dream.

That evening, as I spoke with my husband about our crazy ideas, he added a few suggestions of his own that lent depth and purpose to our story line. We were a community of dreamers…all ages, genders and, at that moment, provinces.

Community, in this instance, was a flash in the pan blaze of ideas. It was inspiring and motivating and so very much fun! We weren’t following a set of ‘think-tank’ rules. We didn’t plan for it. It just happened and it was beautiful.

Not all forms of community look like that. I used to be a loner, feeling like I wasn’t part of anything. I took a chance going to a blogging conference once, stepping way out of my comfort zone, and this beautiful group of women caught me up in their net of friendship. Through the Allume community online I’ve met so many wonderful people.

My writing community is all over the place; my sweet group of writing ‘Deevahs’ lives in a huge circle around North America, but we are no less a community than if we lived next door to one another. Thank you, internet!

The God-sized Dream Team was, I believe, from all over the world! And out of that community came this brilliant idea and the dream has carried on and invited all of you, dear readers, to join in.

I derive great delight from the pockets of women I meet with regularly in real life. I need that sort of community as well, warm bodies that are nearby that I can hug and sip tea with across a kitchen table. They don’t have a set pattern either, I meet with quilters, women on similar journeys to mine, from the same church, from different churches, from my kids’ school…you get the picture.

Community doesn’t need to fit a mold…its parameters are far more fluid and gracious.

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Perhaps you’re feeling alone on an island, longing for the kind of connection that I’ve just described. May I encourage you, friend, to reach out beyond your comfort zone?

Take one step, one click. Perhaps the community you need for this season is right in front of you, waiting for you to join in. There are so many amazing groups to be found through the internet for whatever your interest is; look at your library, your favourite hobby store, your church bulletin board.

What journey are you on right now? Raising kids, pursuing a dream, needing to lose weight? Start a group of your own and ask others to join with you. Read a book together, take a class. Drink some warm and wonderful and just talk.

Dream a little of community. Then, make your dream come to life! Go fishing, find something that works for you and join in. Scripture tells us that two are better than one, and iron sharpens iron.

We need one another, you and I, so come on in! I’ll get the tea started.

Shared by: Lani Wiens

Photo courtesy of: startupstockphotos.com

Four Ways To Cultivate Community At Home

February 20, 2017 By Kim Hyland 9 Comments

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When I was a kid, no one talked about community. It just was, and it was everywhere—in the fire lane where we’d meet to play football and at the pool where long summer days were spent keeping cool. We found community at school, church, Girl Scouts, youth group, softball practice, etc. And wherever I spent my day, I’d typically end it at home with my sister, mom, and dad.

They were the days before the Internet when we had only four TV channels (five if the weather was right and someone sat in just the right spot in the living room).

We didn’t talk about community, we lived it.

It’s interesting how finding community, something that grew organically in the past, has become a topic of discussion and a thing we feel the need to intentionally create. How is it that when life has never been fuller with constant communication and streams of information as close as our smart phones, we are lacking community?

Have we forgotten how to just “do life” with others?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m someone who thinks, talks, and prays about creating community as well. I understand how lonely and disconnected a person can feel in our times. For all the people in our lives, the strength and comfort of community can be elusive.

Lately, I’ve been thinking the solution might be closer than we think. Our families were our first communities, and they can continue to be a rich source of friendship, support, and personal growth.

Our families were our first communities, and they are a rich source of friendship.

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Here are four things I’m learning to do to intentionally cultivate community in my family:

Love the ones you’re with. It’s easy to take family for granted. God’s cure for the loneliness of the first man Adam was to give him family, and it’s still His design.
Recognize and appreciate the sanctifying grace of family. Home is where faith gets tested and made strong and pure. I’ve often said, “If I can live out my faith within these four walls, I can live it anywhere.”
Remember that your family is not a hindrance to your God-sized dream but a proving ground. Our dreams often feel just a little bigger than our time, resources, and opportunities. It’s their nature and what makes us stretch, grow, and trust even more than before. God uses our family circumstances as a sort of “boot-camp” to prepare us to fulfill His plans and our dreams.
Enjoy. I have a sign in my house with this one word to remind me. Between the never-ending daily tasks and the sanctifying process, it’s easy to forget that the first community I dreamed of and prayed for has been given to me by a loving God to enjoy!

As I write this on my iPhone, we are driving our oldest son and his wife to the airport after an extended visit. The past couple weeks our house has been bursting at the seams and tomorrow it will be quiet as it returns to “family-light.” But whether full or few, I know the dearest and best community on this earth is my family.

They’re the ones who have formed me and my dreams, and they’re the ones who’ll be cheering the loudest when my God-sized dreams come true.

But whether full or few, I know the dearest and best community on this earth is my family.

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Shared by: Kim Hyland

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Announcing Our New Sailors!

January 27, 2017 By Alecia Simersky 5 Comments

Hey, dreamers! We had an overwhelming response to our call out for new writers. Choosing from such a talented and unique group of dreamers was TOUGH. But, after some time we made our selections and are so happy to bring you our newest sailors!

Please welcome:

Michelle Nehrig-Shultheis

Patti Hemphill

Stacy Jeffries

Cindy Fumbata ( no picture at this time)

These ladies are not only talented writers, but each have such different perspectives. And, wow, will their faith blow you away! I can’t wait to read what they have planned for us. You can look forward to reading their words beginning in February. Take a moment to get to know them by clicking on their names above and reading their bios. We know you are going to love them as much as we do!

Why Your Stories Matter {And a Fun Giveaway}

August 12, 2016 By Kristin Smith 15 Comments

We have been sharing stories here at God-sized Dreams since early 2014. As a team we knew little about running a website. The technical difficulties of getting it up and running were immense and I remember Christine saying one day she wasn’t sure she could press forward. But she did, we all did, and what came of that hard work and determination was a place where we could come and be encouraged.

I have always loved Christine’s words when she said “We believe one of the ways we see God’s glory is in community. And where better to nurture those callings God has laid on our hearts than in a community of God-sized dreamers? Whether you’re excited and ready to charge full speed ahead or terrified and looking for a bed to hide under — or maybe even somewhere in between — everyone is welcome!”

We always wanted this to be a place of community, because we knew that going it alone…well that just was too much to handle. But together, as a body of believers, we could walk forward knowing we were not alone.

Some of us have set sail on some exciting adventures, and new waters. Others of us have just faithfully walked the path God has called us to even if it didn’t feel big enough or good enough. Did we question Him? Of course! But through the sharing of stories we have found support and laughter, encouragement and even a shoulder to cry on.

We knew that stepping out in faith on our God-sized dreams would require hard work, faith and trust.

One of our favorite parts about this journey has been hearing your stories.

Dreamers from all over the world have submitted pieces for consideration and it has been an honor to be entrusted with your words.

There have been times along my path that I didn’t think I had much to offer, and then one of you, sweet sisters, would send in a post with words that were just the balm my weary soul needed. I think many of us could say that we have been touched by one of the women who have shared here over the past few years.

Thank you.

Seriously, thank you for believing in our site, for sharing our words, and some of your own. For being a cheerleader to many as we all try to navigate this road.

Your words, your stories, matter so much to us.

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Our friends over at DaySpring understand just how important words are and have created a line of products that celebrates just that!

The Letterpress Inspirational Words set was created so that you can fill your home with some of your favorite, encouraging words. I have “Blessed” in my home already, a constant reminder whenever I see it that I have so very much to be thankful for.

This Inspirational Words set comes with 15 different letters and the ability to make 11 inspirational words!

Some of my favorites?

Glory – It makes me think of our own Jenn Hand. A word she uses to describe all the ways she sees God’s hand at work in her life.

Hope – Reminds me of our sweet Holley Gerth, the original writer of God-sized Dreams and the one who gave hope to us all as she launched her book out into the world.

Joy – Makes me think of one of our newest team additions, Natalie Joy, who is helping women discover and find their joy in the journey of their God-sized Dreams.

Light – Embodies what we hope to do here each week. Be a light to one another. Help others find their way to their God-sized Dream. We don’t claim to have it all together here but we do feel called to be a light to a dark world. Each of you is a part of that light and it is what makes our community so special!

They also have a second set of Everyday Words that include words like, Dream On, Soar and Family. It is hard to choose which set I like better!

The letters come in different shapes and are easily put together with these metal clips on the back. Just clip together at each letter seam and hang up or stand on a shelf! Easy peasy! The kits also come with some easy instructions that include tips and trick to lining them up and hanging them.

Right now Dayspring is featuring both sets at a more than 50% off discount, and a cost of only $50 each through August 18th!! And with every $50 order, Dayspring ships for free! These are high quality, heavy pieces and worth the investment! What I love most is that you can constantly change your word to fit your life. Maybe “Faith” is your word of the year for 2016, and in 2017 it might be “Live!” What a neat way to celebrate the one word that motivates you towards your God-sized Dream! Also Check out this fun article over at Dayspring that gives ideas on several ways you can use your Letterpress sets!

A few tips I discovered putting together the Letterpress Blocks:

When placing the letters together with the backs facing up, put together backwards otherwise when you turn it over it will look like this! Oops!! 🙂

As a part of the set you will receive a box of clips. They recommend that you use 2 clips per side. Having put together several I would agree. You can make 1 work, but when standing the letters up on a shelf they will not be as solid as when you use 2!

Figure out which letter(s) in your word will be your base. This is less important if you are hanging it on the wall, but if you plan to stand it on a shelf you need to make sure that one or more of the letters will balance your entire word!

Finally if you have to take the letters apart it is easiest to remove the clips using a long, thin metal tool. I used a staple remover and it worked beautifully. The clips go on and come off tightly. But this is good because you want the words to be sturdy when you are displaying them!

I LOVE these sets, and only wished that I had more letters so that I could make even more words. Yes, this is the perfect product that embraces the idea that our words DO matter!

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Today we celebrate each of you and while it would be much more fun to throw a big party and have cupcakes and share hugs and laughter in person, we do want to say thank you for being a faithful reader and want to give away one of Holley Gerth’s Devotionals! This 40 day devotional is just what a dreamer needs for encouragement and hope as you journey on! Leave a comment below sharing a word that embodies your journey right now for a chance to win! Share this post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest for additional changes to win. Please leave a separate comment for each share. Winner will be chosen on August 18th.

And if you have a story YOU would like to share, we’d love to hear it! We have openings for guest posts starting in late October. If you are interested in learning more please email me at kristin@therichesofhislove.com.

I received the Letterpress set as a free gift from our friends at Dayspring to help promote their new product line. All opinions expressed are my own. Affiliate links are present within the post and a click and purchase would mean a small benefit back to us here, at no extra cost to you, so that we can keep things running smoothly from month to month! 🙂

Our Differences Make Us Stronger

July 25, 2016 By Lovelle Gerth-Myers 2 Comments

“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

God-sized Dreamers Are Stronger Together

July 18, 2016 By Laura Rath 11 Comments

Two months ago, I was invited to join the team of writers here at God-sized Dreams. I was thrilled! And surprised…because only a week before, I’d been wondering about the writing team and how often new writers are added. God at work, right?

After a few days of praying and thinking about it, I gladly accepted. And then…I panicked. Self-doubt kicked in (complete with dizziness and nausea), and I felt like a fraud. How could I write about dreams when sometimes I’m not even sure what mine are anymore?!?

That’s the beautiful thing about God-sized dreams…

When I’m too weary to dream, God is still at work on His dreams for me.

I know from experience that I have seasons when God is telling me to rest. I’ve learned that it’s best to yield during these seasons because there is a purpose. It’s a time for growth and renewal in ways I might not have realized I needed. But He knows.

And then, when it’s time, He opens doors to new opportunities, and dreams I thought had disappeared begin to take shape again.

When we let go of a dream, we allow God to bring it to life in a new way—His way.

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God-sized dreams require God’s work. They keep us dependent on Him, and that’s a good place to be.

But the enemy does not like God-sized dreams. He will shout lies at us, coaxing us to give up. What dreams do you have?!? No one will believe you! You’re a fraud! God doesn’t care about your ridiculous dreams!

He uses doubt, insecurity, and fear—whatever it takes to destroy our dreams and move us away from God. I wonder how often we give up on a dream thanks to the enemy’s work.

Don’t believe the lies. God does care! He cares about our dreams because He planted the seed for those dreams. Even when we’re not quite sure what they are, He stirs in us the feeling that there’s something more. Something we didn’t even know to dream about.

When we wait on God, we get to see Him make a way where there was no obvious way. When we let Him lead, He works things out and puts us in a place we couldn’t put ourselves.

Not only do we get to watch Him at work now, but knowing how He worked in the past, reminds us that He will continue to work in the future. That reminder keeps me going, especially when all I can see are the walls of current circumstances surrounding me.

As soon as I realized the source of my panic in writing for God-sized Dreams, I knew the topic for my first post—because I can’t be the only one.

If you find yourself unsure of what your dreams are, or feeling like your dreams have died long ago…please don’t allow yourself to get stuck there. Remember…

God is at work even when we’re unaware.

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If you are battling self-doubt and fear over dreams and new opportunities, don’t let it stop you. Keep moving forward as you feel God leading you.

As God-sized dreamers, we are stronger together. We are here to support and encourage each other…and that includes you!

Shared by: Laura Rath

The Ups And “Downs” Of Collaboration

June 20, 2016 By Kim Hyland 1 Comment

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and had no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
~Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

When I decided to make my dream of an annual women’s retreat a reality, I knew I couldn’t do it alone. So I prayed for friends who wanted to help . . . and waited.

Lo and behold, one day I took a mental inventory of the women in my life and discovered God had answered my prayer. One would make an awesome administrator. Another was the queen of hospitality. One already led worship for her church. And so on.

As I prayerfully (and I do mean prayer-fully) asked my friends to join me, they enthusiastically embraced my dream and together we made Winsome happen.

Collaborating with these women was one of the best and hardest decisions I’ve ever made.

Here are a few reasons why:

While we’ve yet to need each other for bodily warmth, my team and I have had plenty of opportunities to pick one another up after a fall. Our four years of working together have provided many ups and downs for all of us both as a team and as individuals. We’ve had each other’s backs through it all.

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Proximity leads to conflict.

I’ve never been good at conflict. When I smell it, I back away slowly.

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But as a committed member (not to mention the leader) of our team, I had to stay.

Early on, I told the team we needed to put on our steel-toed boots because we were going to step on each other’s toes. Working so closely, it was just a matter of time.

Our team has had to handle the inevitable conflicts of collaboration with grace and maturity. There have been hurt feelings, frustrations, and hard conversations.

Staying is hard! But by working through conflict, we have grown both relationally and spiritually.

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We’ve also learned to appreciate each other’s perspectives and strengths and bear patiently with one another’s faults.

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Collaboration knits hearts. Even though life circumstances have changed and some of us may not have as much connection as we used to, our shared experience has given us treasured memories that keep us connected.

I’m reminded of Paul’s comparison of believers to a body, the Body of Christ!

For just as the body is one and has many members,
and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. . .
But as it is, God arranged the members of the body,
each one of them,
as he chose.
~1 Corinthians 12:12; 18

It’s not coincidence that these women are in my life. Together we are creating an event to encourage other women in their dreams and relationship with Christ and His body. Every part of our team is vital just like every member of the body. God, in His wisdom and love, has brought us together.

That is no small thing.

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As a mom, there are few things that thrill me like seeing my kids work together. I’ve exclaimed this verse to them on many such occasions: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity. ~Psalm 133:1

When we collaborate for the advancement of His kingdom, I imagine our Father is thrilled as well!

With so much gratitude to the Winsome Leadership Team: Clare, Emily, Hilary, Debbie, Julie, Missy, René, Stephanie, Tee, and Wendy.

Shared by: Kim Hyland

Letting Others Pray You Through Your Dreams

June 8, 2016 By Jennifer Hand 6 Comments

I believe in the power of prayer. I love that we can talk to God.

We can talk to God. And He talks back.

The God who spoke the stars into being speaks to us.

He bends His ear to listen to us and our dreams. Our fears. Our questions. Our joys. Our deep sorrows.

Sometimes I can forget the powerful gift of asking others to pray me through my God sized dreams.

Asking our community to pray us through our dreams allows them to be involved in our dreams.

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The Lord has been teaching me lately about the power of asking others to pray for me as I walk out the dreams God has for me.

Truth be told, it can feel vulnerable to ask for prayer. I do not want to appear needy. I can allow the enemy to whisper to my heart that it is selfish to ask others to pray for me.

I can start thinking about real prayer requests like cancer, prodigal children and divorce.

How can I ask for prayer for my dreams?

Then I am reminded that Paul often asked people to join Him in his ministry through their ministry of prayer.

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—Colossians 4:3 ESV

Recently I was getting ready to follow one of my God-sized dreams, doing trauma mitigation and debriefing for adults and children who had been through the recent 7.8 earthquake in Ecuador. I found out one week before that God was opening the door for me to go. This was a God-sized dream as part of my ministry dreams involve ministering internationally.

I was busy making preparations. Getting ready for the program we were going to lead there. Packing. Getting a suitcase full of crayons to take to the children as we led them through art therapy.

In the midst of my preparations, I felt very impressed to invite others to pray me through this dream journey.

I was almost hesitate as I asked my church for prayer. The Sunday before I left, several from my church community gathered around and prayed. It was an incredible powerful moment.

Inviting others to pray invited them on this journey of faith with me.

When we allow others to pray for our dreams, their faith and our faith grows.

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While in Ecuador, I saw God move in huge ways.

I also literally saw the earth move as we were in three big earthquakes. In each of those earthquakes, I had such a peace. I sensed God so close.

When I closed my eyes I pictured those who had prayed for me. I felt their prayers still.

While in Ecuador, our family also experienced an emotional earthquake as my twin sister miscarried her twins. It was devastating.

Those I had gone to minister to in Ecuador as I lived out my God-sized dream, ministered to me. They laid hands and prayed for my family.

Friend, do you have a prayer team around you and your God-sized dream? If not, can I encourage you to begin building that team. Be bold. Let others know how they can pray you through.

Their prayers for your dreams can build up faith in what God is doing in their own dreams.

Stirring up one another in love and good deeds.

How can we pray for you?

Shared By: Jennifer Hand

God-sized Dreams Require Confidence In Our God

May 30, 2016 By Lanette Haskins 2 Comments

I can hardly believe that it’s already May! It seems as though we were just braving the cold and snow, although this is Michigan and we could still have a snowstorm tomorrow and 80 degrees the next day.

But typically May means warmer weather, spring showers, flowers sprouting, trees budding and grass growing greener (and longer) by the minute.

May also means Mother’s Day — a time to celebrate our moms and to be celebrated.

As a mom I know how blessed and how busy that day can be and this year was no different. My children and grandchildren visited, brought me gifts, cooked me dinner and loved on me — it was a beautiful day. I’m also blessed to have my husband’s mom living next door and was able to spend time with her and some extended family too.

But this year I was missing my mom. About a year ago she remarried and made a big move south and although she recently flew home for a visit, those trips are few and far between. Looking back I know now that I took for granted when she lived nearby and I could see her whenever I wanted.

But life was always busy and although I would attempt to squeeze in a little “extra” time to spend with her it wasn’t enough.

Isn’t it so easy to get caught up in busyness and forget to be present with the ones we love?

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My mom always encouraged me in whatever my dreams were. She was of course, my biggest fan and my greatest cheerleader and even had dreams of her own for me. In my late teens she insisted that I could be the local Free Fair Queen which I concluded would probably require grace, poise and some sort of talent — all of which I was sure that I didn’t possess. She had much more confidence in me than I did!

She worked harder than anyone I knew but was harder on herself than anyone too. She criticized and judged herself for all that she was and all that she wasn’t. I’ve adopted some of those same habits along the way but as I pursue my God-sized dreams I realize that I need some of the same confidence that my mom had in my gifts and abilities and also some of the same grace she extended to me too.

On her last trip home we were discussing my writing and as I began sharing some of my doubts (unsure whether I could measure up with other writers) she said “I don’t think you realize what a great writer you are.”

Sometimes we just need our mom’s approval.

And sometimes we just need our moms…

When I think about my thoughts towards my own children they are not unlike my mom’s thoughts towards me. I believe they possess so much talent , that they are so gifted and have so much potential. I believe in their God-sized dreams whatever they may be because I believe in the God who planted those dreams in their hearts and minds.

And if we, with all our flaws and failures, have those thoughts toward our children how much greater are God’s thoughts towards us?

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Psalm 40:5 (NASB)

Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count.

Shouldn’t that give us all the confidence we need?

Friends I hope that you are encouraged to pursue your God-sized dreams and remember that you are being cheered on!!

Shared by: Lanette Haskins

A Force Behind My Dreams

May 23, 2016 By Mandy Mianecki 4 Comments

My parochial elementary school added weekly art classes when I was in third grade. That made Wednesday my favorite day. Our first project consisted of transforming our cursive-written names into colorful insect pictures. The image of Mrs. Moran’s loops and swirls, tracing, copying, and filling spaces with bright reds and blues remains fresh in my memory.

Something in me came alive with that little project, and soon I moved on to projects like copying pictures from my coloring books. Pencil drawings of Aladdin and Jasmine filled my sketchbook. By eighth grade, all my classmates knew I wanted to become an animator for Disney.

Behind that creative spirit was a mom who cheered me on. Not once in my life did I hear that pursuing the arts was a frivolous endeavor or money wasted. In fact, my mom and I regularly attended art and craft shows for inspiration. For several years, treks to Ann Arbor’s summer art fair on the University of Michigan’s campus were our summer standard—mile after mile of ceramic, photographic, textile, sculptural, and painted masterpieces waited for us. Together.

We frequented Ann Arbor for artist dates to feed our creative thirst throughout the year too. Roaming the aisles of decorative papers and bookmaking supplies at Hollander’s in the historic Kerrytown shops filled my creative tank for weeks. Attending a bookmaking workshop there together opened up a thrilling possibility: attending and teaching at a local altered arts conference.

Vulnerability lies at the heart of creative expression. My best work reveals my truest self, and sharing that with my mother at the conference workshops in which we created art together, and through the years, has been powerful.

Being truly seen has been fundamental to a thriving life.

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To be seen, appreciated, and encouraged in my art, in being the person God made me to be, has been fundamental to a thriving life. It’s a precious gift that God has given me. So, it’s not surprising that it is also fuel for God-sized dreams, like creating a solo exhibition of original artwork as my senior project in college, traveling across the country for a 2-week art intensive for college credit, earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and continuing to create as each season of my life allows.

Grateful is an understatement for this undeserved blessing in my relationship with my mother. I realize that a relationship like this is one that not everyone enjoys, and I pray that I never take it for granted. If you struggle with mother wounds, it is my prayer that Jesus wraps you in His love and brings into your life those people who will walk alongside you and cheer wildly for who you are.

This space is your safe place to pursue who God made you to be. We love having you here. Thank you for being a part of our community.

And thank you, Mom, for being amazing. I love you!

Shared by: Mandy Mianecki

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