A Bittersweet Announcement

April 30, 2018 By Mel Schroeder 43 Comments

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/godsized/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 4826

I remember the day I opened the email and saw the words, Congratulations! You’re a part of the God-sized Dream Team! It was a long time ago, that November 2012 morning, and sometimes I still can’t believe all that’s happened since the day Holley’s message made it to my inbox.

I didn’t know the amazing blessings that were coming.

To make a long (but fun!) story short, I’ll just say that the email led to a book launch team and some dear friendships as we connected and shared our hearts and spoke our dreams, as we covered each other in prayer and cheered our fellow dreaming sisters on. When the book launch officially ended, several of us broke off and formed a mastermind group, continuing to pray, encourage, and dream-chase together; it was in that group that our brave friend, Christine, spoke her God-sized Dream. Eager to encourage her and jump on board, we were all excited to join her as she headed up the beginning of this corner of the internet called God-sized Dreams.

In January of 2014 we launched this space as a place for dreamers to be encouraged, to share their stories and struggles, and to walk this road with others who had dreams burning in their hearts and needed the hand-holders as they stepped forward with whatever big and sometimes-scary things God had called them to do.

I can tell you that those of us who have been a part of this place have been blessed…many times over. We have loved being here, sharing our hearts with you, and hearing about all that God has done in your lives. Things have changed some…writers have joined and some have moved on to other things. Leadership has changed, too…both Kristin and Alecia have also been amazing leaders in this community over the last few years. There have been changes, but it’s always been such a blessing to be part of.

And maybe that’s why today’s announcement feels a little bittersweet.

After four years and a little more, God-sized Dreams is taking a pause.

It’s a decision that wasn’t made lightly and not without a lot of prayer. Because where there are dreamers (that’s us!) and when God is in us…well, there will always be God-sized Dreams. There’s so much encouragement still needed and so many stories that need to be shared, so many prayers that need to be prayed and so many celebrations still to happen over dreams bursting through and being realized.

But we also, as a team, have realized our limitations in life and very much have seen how dreams have changed and morphed, in both the expected and in the surprises. Many of us have walked hard roads in the last years, and while God is in the business of redeeming and we see Him clearly at work, we also see the need for obedience in learning to breathe and walk smaller, quieter roads. At least for now, those look like caring for our families and living the more immediate, tangible things that ask a lot of us in our daily lives. (Here’s looking at keeping up with my almost-8-year-old girl and chasing a toddler boy, at least for this dreamer.) 😉

When Alecia and I first had this discussion a couple of months ago, my heart ached…it feels sad to think of a possible ending to something that’s been so sweet. Placing a pause on this space isn’t what we wanted, but God was making it clear that we needed to keep our hands open with the very thing He’d placed in them. And so she communicated our thoughts and plans, and the entire writing team graciously responded.

What we know…is that we’re taking a break. That break may end, and it may not. We have ideas, visions…dreams we’d still love to see take shape here. But those need time to sit, and we need some time to wait and rest in order to let God breathe new life into what He might have for us regarding this place.

Will you pray with us and for us as we wait to see what God has next?

Will you leave a word of encouragement for a fellow dreaming sister (or brother!) in the comments?

And, if you feel led, will you share the blessings God has given as you’ve chased your dreams?

From the bottom of our dreaming hearts, we thank you all for being here and walking this with us.

Click To Tweet

We have loved having each and every one of you here.

Here’s to our dreams and the Giver of them Who always goes with us.

Love,
the writers at GSD

Shared by Mel Schroeder

An InLinkz Link-up

Step Away From That Dream – The Value of Holding Your Dream Loosely

November 27, 2017 By Elise Daly Parker 11 Comments

Are you wrestling with your dream? Wonder why your dream seems so far away? Are you afraid to loosen your grip on your dream because you’ve invested time, effort, even money?

[clickToTweet tweet=”Well I’m here to tell you…sometimes, it’s okay to step away from your dream. In fact, it can be really valuable.” quote=”Well I’m here to tell you…sometimes, it’s okay to step away from your dream. In fact, it can be really valuable.”]

Stepping away from your dream helps you gain clarity, makes a new direction possible, and even makes room for God to do things with your dream that you could never do while holding on.

I’ve just come out of a stepping away season. I’ve had dreams of writing a book, a few books in fact for years. And blogging kept me close to that dream. But for a time, I stopped writing and stepped into some other opportunities. In my case, I didn’t exactly decide I was stepping away from this dream of writing, but my yeses to a few other projects left me with little time and space for writing.

I didn’t really miss writing for a while. I was too busy to think about it much.

A few thoughts crossed my mind from time to time, “Maybe I’m not really a writer anymore.” “Maybe I don’t have anything to write about.” “Maybe my writing dream was for a season that’s over.”

I wasn’t thrilled about this.

I was a little sad. What about all those dreams that had to do with writing?

A little regretful. Maybe if I was more dedicated like some of my friends, I’d have a book by now.

A little puzzled. For so many years, I focused so much effort on communicating through writing…was that all for naught?

It’s like that quote from Khalil Gibran, “If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. And if they don’t, they never were.”

I’m applying my dream of writing to Gibran’s philosophy, “If you have a dream, but you find you’re not fulfilling it, then let it go for a season. If the dream returns, it was always yours. If not, perhaps it never was…or has already served its purpose.”

Space has opened up for me again. I have some time to think. And my thoughts go toward what I want to write about, which is the first step of writing. It’s the marinating phase – the writing that goes on in our heads before we put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

I’m preparing to write again. I’m gaining clarity about what I will write in this season. Shifting my writing direction to suit my current goals and season of life. God has taken away some concerns that are clearing a path to return to writing renewed, refreshed, and redirected.

I’m thinking about the words I will regret not writing.

This dream of writing that faded for a while has returned. And I’ve realized life will bring ebbs and flows of busyness, projects that take us away from our dreams. But if it’s really a dream that’s meant to be fulfilled, it will not go away forever. It will return and return again because it’s actually meant to be. It has a purpose in our lives and we’re the one assigned to fulfill it.

So if you’ve hit a dry spell, are too busy to pursue your dream right now, or have gotten off track and feel like you’ll never get back on, try not to worry.

Here are a few steps you can take until you find your way back to your dream and it finds its way back to you:

Hold your dreams loosely with open hands.
Practice peace in this season by consciously letting go.
Trust that if this dream is really for you, you will return to it until it’s fulfilled.
Know that God will make a way. He’s the author of our dreams.

Are you feeling far away from your dream? I’d love to hear about it and pray for you.

Shared by: Elise Daly Parker

An InLinkz Link-up

Dreams in the Wilderness

November 6, 2017 By Celeste Barnard 14 Comments

After living in Colorado for 5 ½ years, we felt like God was calling us to South Texas. This was a hard move. I had an incredible writers group and started blogging while I was in Colorado, and I delivered one of my first message at our church’s youth group. Colorado was where I started to walk out some of the things that had been on my heart for many years.

One of my fears about moving was that I would leave all these incredible people that I had gotten to know…I mean, they were my people. What if I couldn’t find other writers and speakers where I was moving? I knew for sure that there weren’t any writer’s conferences or workshops in South Texas. I was afraid that I would no longer have those connections. Part of me thought that I, along with my writing and speaking, would just disappear into oblivion. I know, dramatic much?! I still remember my husband’s words to this day-“Hunny, God knows where to find you.”

After getting settled into our new lives, we quickly discovered that I would need to find a job to help supplement our income. I thought, Lord, did you bring me all this way to go backwards? Please know that when I say backwards, I am NOT saying getting a job is backwards! Not at all! But I’ve always wanted to be able to stay home with my kids, be there for all of their events, and just be present. It’s something I never had as a child and wanted for my kids. And up to this point, I was able to stay home with my kids while working maybe 8 hours a week at a Rec Center in Colorado.

One night my husband and I went out to dinner to talk about how we were doing and where we were at with everything. It was a new season…and a busy season. He had taken a position as the Children’s Pastor and I was working and directing Kid’s Choir and our kids were starting a new school. I had often shared my desire to speak and my passion to minister to women. He said he felt like I needed to lay those things down so we could focus on this new season and all that it included. I’ll never forget how the hot tears fell down my face. I was struggling to be in this new place and everything felt like it was fighting me…and then this.

Could God really want me to lay down my dreams?

Click To Tweet

And if so, for how long? What if I lay them down, and He never gives me peace to pick them back up? I later cried out to God, and my only request was that if He was going to take this dream away (this dream that was from Him in the first place), that I needed Him to take away the desire also because it was just too much.

We read in Genesis 22 that God tested Abraham.

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Genesis 22:2 (NIV)

Now let’s back up a little bit with this story. Abraham and his wife Sarai had prayed for a son well into their old age. When they gave birth to Isaac, Sarai was ninety and Abraham was 100. But God gave them their dream, a son.

When God asked Abraham to give up His dream, his only son, the Bible says that he got up early the next morning and began to load up his donkey. He didn’t argue, or plead with God.

He just obeyed.

I’ll be honest-if it had been me, I’d be like, “Did You really say that God?” or I’d be begging God for another way. But not Abraham. He went out the next day with his son and made a fire.

“Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
Genesis 22:10-12 (NIV)

For Abraham, it was a heart check. Did Abraham really love God more than he loved his son? Or had his son become an idol in his life? I believe these passages reveal that God was still number one in his life- above and before everything else…even his only son.

The Lord taught me so much through this season of letting go and surrendering. It felt like such a wilderness experience. When I think of the wilderness, I think of searching in a dry and open land. I think of a place where I have more questions than answers. I think of desire and struggle. I have a feeling that most of us have been through some form of our own dreaming in the wilderness experience.

Here’s what I’ve learned as I’ve walked through that wilderness experience:

God is still there. Hear me on this- When you’re walking through this wilderness, God can feel uncomfortably quiet. I know. Over and over you might ask, “God, are you still there?” He’s there and He’s using this time to change you and draw you closer to Him.
God will still use you. Are you breathing? Then rest assured, God has a purpose for your life. Because of some of the things I’ve had to walk through, God is now able to use me to encourage others on their own journey through the wilderness. He will do the same for you. Nothing is wasted- no pain, no silence, no wandering in the desert is ever wasted with God. He can and will use it all.
God still has a plan. Have you ever seen that picture of Jesus trying to take the little teddy bear from the little girl as she’s crying and doesn’t want to give it up? What she can’t see is the big teddy bear He’s trying to replace it with. Many times if He’s asked us to lay something down, it’s because He’s got something so much better for us, but we have such a hard time letting go.

We white-knuckle our gifts and our callings and feel threatened at the thought of losing them.

Click To Tweet

He always has a plan, and I promise it is good. Let go.
God is preparing you. It’s all part of the plan. He walks us through things, and each time, we are being prepared for something even greater. If we don’t pass, it’s okay. He keeps walking with us until we get it. Everything in your life is preparing you. There are just some places we can’t get to until we’ve learned some hard-fought lessons along the way. He uses those things to build our character. Even the pain we walk though prepares us to minister to others with an even greater compassion than we would have ever had before. As much as we would love to walk around the painful circumstances, God walks with us as we go through them.
God has not forgotten you. This is important. My first year at my job, I wondered why I was here. I felt alone and isolated. I got a phone call one morning out of the blue from my friend, Rebecca. She said, “God wants you to know that He sees you and He has not forgotten you.” Wow! Exactly what I needed at just the right moment. I needed to hear that, and maybe you do, too? God sees you. He sees you struggling, searching for significance. He hears your questions. And He promises in His Word that he will never leave you. Ever.

Perhaps my own journey was that of God giving me my own heart check. As we wrestle with our dreams, it’s important to always allow God to check our motives. That time I spent working was greatly used by God. Some of the things I learned are things we are implementing now in our non-profit. And when I look back at those evenings where I felt so exhausted and asked God why, I can now see His faithfulness. He carried me, this I know. It reminds me when I’m feeling overwhelmed, that if He carried me then, I know He’ll do it again. And again. And again. That season of my life was fruitful and caused my faith to grow.

When I find myself dreaming in the wilderness, instead of wanting all the answers I’ve decided I just want God. I want Him more than answers. I want Him above and before all of my dreams. I want Him regardless of if I understand everything or not, because truth be told, I might never know the answers to all my whys, but I don’t need to.

What I need to remember is that He gives and He takes away, yet He is still good.

“For the Lord your God has blessed you in everything you have done. He has watched your every step through this great wilderness. During these forty years, the Lord your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing.”
Deuteronomy 2:7 (NLT)

Shared by: Celeste Barnard

An InLinkz Link-up

Letting Go of a Dream

September 11, 2017 By Laura Rath 30 Comments

I’ve always struggled with the book of Job. For years, I couldn’t get past the beginning where God gives Satan permission to test Job. I didn’t like that part, so that’s where I stopped reading. But, over the years, it seems God has led me to the book of Job on several occasions.

While I was thinking about God-given dreams recently, I read this verse:

So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning.
Job 42:12a NLT

I know I’ve read it before because I remember thinking, Yeah, but he lost so much before that! I got stuck in what happened to Job and couldn’t move forward. Much like we do in real life.

How often do we get stuck in the past, unable to move forward in the present?

How often do we get stuck in the past, unable to move forward in the present?

Click To Tweet

It’s easy to do that with dreams that don’t materialize. Maybe it’s because real-life responsibilities and obligations keep us from pursuing our dreams. Or perhaps we’ve worked and worked, but still haven’t seen the dream come true. After a while, we decide it’s just not meant to be.

There’s a difference between giving up and letting it go. Giving up comes from disappointment and discouragement. It closes the door on the dream and can lead to resentment.

The decision to let go of a dream can also come from disappointment and discouragement, but it leaves the door open for God to work in ways we don’t expect and can’t imagine.

We may grieve the loss of a dream, and that’s an appropriate emotion. It’s also an important part of the healing process that allows us to move forward.

Job had plenty of reasons to grieve—he lost so much, but he never turned away from God. In fact, he reaffirmed his faith in Him.

Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.
Job 42:1-2 NLT

We don’t know how long Job’s healing process was, but we know he walked through it and was blessed by God—probably more than Job ever imagined was possible.

I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
Job 42:5 NLT

If you’ve had to let go of your dreams, for whatever reason, don’t count God out. Leave the door open for God to work in ways you don’t expect and can’t imagine. Even when we don’t know what we’re watching for, we can trust He’s there, and His work is worth waiting for.

We don’t know what to watch for, but trust God’s there & His work is worth waiting for.

Click To Tweet

Shared by: Laura Rath

An InLinkz Link-up

When God Shifts Your Dreams {For A Season}

August 14, 2017 By Jennifer Linck 20 Comments

I have a confession to make.

It was really hard to write this post.

I had months to write it; but life has been busy and writing hasn’t been a priority.

I had to pray for the words and motivation to get it done on deadline.

You see, God’s been shifting my dreams.

I’ve sadly wasted too much time thinking my identity and worth were wrapped up in my writing.

Click To Tweet

My focus is no longer on platforms and blog posts, but the little boy standing right in front of me.

God has been shifting my dreams to be more in line with His dreams for me.

It seems ironic that it’s taken five years for me to realize what really matters.

I’ve wrestled with finding a balance between writing and motherhood since the day Jackson was born.

I felt like motherhood wasn’t enough – that I had to be more and do more – to truly make a mark for the Kingdom.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe writing is a gift God’s entrusted to me.

God made me a writer.

I believe it’s part of my calling.

He made me a lover of words and it’s a gift I love to use,

But…

Motherhood is a high calling.

Being Jackson’s mama matters more than how many followers I have on social media.

In three days my son will start kindergarten. As I reflect on the past five years, I realize I wasted a lot of time trying to build a platform when I should have been building up his little heart.

I can’t help but wonder if maybe I missed some really great moments because I was so focused on being a writer.

When motherhood gets messy, it’s easy to turn to social media for a pick me up.

And motherhood is messy.

And mundane.

And isolating.

And humbling.

Motherhood is holy work behind closed doors.

Click To Tweet

It doesn’t always feel like a calling when you’re juggling therapy appointments, making peanut butter and jelly and praying for patience.

It doesn’t always feel like a calling when your friends are getting book deals or their small businesses are booming.

It doesn’t always feel like a calling when God has asked you to put the dreams of your heart on hold.

It’s taken five years for my dreams to shift; to trust my Savior with the ones that aren’t meant for this season.

And that’s the thing; every season has it’s own set of dreams.

It doesn’t mean the dreams in our heart have to die.

God sees them there and will allow them to flourish in His perfect time.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

In my current season, carpooling and playing intense games of Hungry, Hungry Hippo are enough.

I don’t feel a crazy amount of pressure to produce blog posts and I rarely think about building a platform.

Trusting God with my dreams has brought about freedom.

This season – motherhood – is what I prayed and longed for for so many years.

It was a huge God-Sized dream that I wasn’t sure would happen for me.

There was infertility; followed by a crazy adoption journey.

There was a baby boy placed in my arms.

There was a lot of faith, prayers, tears and obedience on my journey to become a mother.

It was a dream God made come true in a way only He could.

Motherhood is my highest calling.

I’m so glad I’ve finally embraced it.

Shared By: Jennifer Linck

An InLinkz Link-up

On Holding on and Letting Go

September 14, 2016 By Elise Daly Parker Leave a Comment

Moving. We talked about it for several years. And then, we did it. We actually moved out of the town I’ve lived in for 48 years, and the home I’ve raised my family in for 26 years.

I’ve always loved my hometown. It’s beautiful. The streets are lined with sturdy mature trees. The old homes are gracious, each one unique and original. Ours featured the charm of hard wood floors, original moldings, warm fireplaces, the natural comfort and coziness of a traditional home.

We lived just a few blocks from our town center where we often had breakfast at the Cozy End. I’ve walked those streets countless times with babies, toddlers, and then teenagers. Over the years, the Meyers 5&10, Bonds Ice Cream Store, and Markers Bakery have yielded to The Gap, a Starbucks, and Williams Sonoma. But it’s still our little Uptown center. It’s still my neighborhood and it took me a long time to be ready to leave it.

Long ago, my husband and I made the decision, despite crazy high taxes, to stay in this town until all of our kids completed high school. We loved the diverse, multicultural and multi-ethnic character it has long been known for and which was part of my experience growing up.

Our conversation about moving started three years ago, on the way home from dropping our youngest off to college.

Click To Tweet

It was time. Time to downsize.

We didn’t have a huge house, but no longer needed three floors plus a basement, and four bedrooms. The house needed costly care and upkeep. And we definitely didn’t need to keep paying the high taxes.

I knew the time would come to move on, but at first, it was just too much for me to consider. Everything was changing. I was afraid of losing the things that identified me. Made me sure and steady. Gave me purpose.

What did the future look like?

If I wasn’t prioritizing my family, what was I prioritizing?
If I wasn’t the day-to-day “mom,” who was I?
If I wasn’t living in Montclair, where I had almost always lived, where would I live?
And where would Christmas be? I was the keeper of the family Christmas…if not here, then where?

So it took a while. I told my husband that, rather than live in this strange neverland of one foot in my old home and the other on the path to the unknown, we should come up with a solid plan.

There were lots more questions that needed answers…

How would we prepare the home, freshen it up to make it ready to sell?
What would be the process of getting rid of all the stuff we had accumulated over the past 26 busy years?
When, really when, did we want to move?
Oh and where? The idea of heading for the coast intrigued me and struck me as a potential grandchild magnet. My husband loved the idea of immersing ourselves in Philly, where two of our children and our grandchildren live. Or, was it too soon to make such a change? Maybe we’d just move down the street a bit to a neighboring town.

That year after our youngest went to college we had our floors refinished and many of the walls painted in preparation to sell. Despite the effort, I was uneasy and unwilling to push past the fear and doubt. My husband was ready, but I wasn’t quite there yet…

We stayed another year.

I began to run out of good arguments for staying.

The taxes increased. The house wasn’t getting any smaller and still needed repairs. I couldn’t hold on any longer. So we met with our realtor and put together a plan of action that would take advantage of the spring real estate market.

I was overwhelmed by a sense of peace as we moved forward. We painted more walls and even installed granite countertops and subway tiles to spruce up the kitchen. We cleared our home of personal touches, like photos and tchotchkes, and got rid of about 1/3 of our papers, books, memorabilia, glassware, and sports equipment. We stored half of our furniture in the garage.

This was really happening!! After determining we’d stay in the area, but not exactly sure which town, we began looking around at houses to buy. When our house went on the market, it sold within a week.

It was time to choose our new home.

During the last few weeks in our old home, I sensed God’s reassurance. He spoke right to my heart, through His Word, as I read devotions. He was doing a new thing. He was able to do immeasurably more than I could imagine. He would never leave us or forsake us no matter where we lived.

I sensed God saying,

“It’s time to let go. Time for the next thing. As you let go of the past, you won’t just let go of all those good memories, you will be able to let go of some hard things too, some of the things that hold you back, some of your old beliefs that are stumbling blocks. There is freedom ahead.”

So what does this have to do with God-sized Dreaming?

Whether it’s a move or a dream, it’s a journey. And sometimes to move forward we have to let go of the past.

Click To Tweet

We have to trust that if it’s time to leave a dream behind, God has something better ahead.

Are you thinking it’s time to leave your dream behind?

Click To Tweet

Take time to reflect. Where have you been and where are you going?
Seek God. He’s got a plan and His timing is perfect…and He will speak.
Take action. If it’s time to move in a new direction, be brave and trust that God will be with you no matter where you go on your dream journey.

Shared by Elise Daly Parker

Note: You can hear more conversations about Letting Go on the Circles of Faith Slices of Life Podcast. Join us!

When the Failure of Your Dream Is Not Really a Failure After All

May 11, 2016 By Elise Daly Parker Leave a Comment

Have you ever felt a little bruised and battered by your God-sized dreams?

I mean dreams can be so exciting – when they’re moving forward, evolving, coming true! And then they can be dashed. Kaboom! All the work, time, effort, prayer, emotions that went into that dream can seem all for naught. It feels like the failure of your dream. That hurts! And it can be very discouraging. I know – I’ve had that experience with Circles of Faith.

For years, and I mean like 20 years, I had this dream to have a place to share our stories. Through a number of experiences in women’s ministry, I saw how powerful, life-changing in fact, it was to exchange our stories, our God stories. Stories that are expressions of a Good God, a God of miracles and redemption, a God who demonstrates His love in tangible ways, a God who is near, who cares, who loves immeasurably. A God who is real. These stories deepen faith, encourage, bring hope, and glorify God!

I envisioned a magazine (I’ve been in the magazine business for over 30 years) that would serve my local community. I wrote copious notes and journaled for years, believing that when the time was right, the God-sized dream would unfold.

And that’s basically what happened. Through a series of God orchestrations, I met a group of women who had a similar dream. But now the worldwide web was full speed ahead. So we decided to start there and launched an online community/contributor site, Circles of Faith – Where Faith, Life, and Community Intersect.

We had awesome content from a team of amazing writers. We had a good social media strategy. We worked diligently, along with a team of dedicated women. But our subscriber numbers were flat. They never really grew much from our official launch. Meanwhile, the web was getting saturated with more and more blogs…and our engagement seemed to be waning. What was up with that? Very disheartening.

The good news is we have been able to shift our dreams.

That was not easy. But we took some steps that allowed us to move forward. And these 5 Steps to Shifting Your Dreams just might help you if you find yourselves in a dream boat that seems to be sinking:

Pray – This might be obvious, but how many times do we seek the opinion of others instead of going to the author of our dreams? My partner/cofounder on Circles of Faith Kimberly Amici and I fasted and prayed through the holidays as we sought God’s direction. He was faithful to bring us to the same conclusion when we reconvened to discuss what we felt God calling or not calling us to.
Pay Attention – God is so good at communicating with us if we look, listen, reflect. He flashes “neon sign” messages through songs on the radio, a sermon, a conversation that leads to an ah-ha moment. Also pay as much attention to what God is doing as you do to what He isn’t. Our discouragement can lead to a pity party that blinds us from seeing God’s guidance.
Wait – God is not asleep. He hasn’t left you. Draw nearer to Him. God is always at work. He wastes no experience. Though you may not perceive His actions, God promises to fulfill His purposes in us and His timing is always perfect.
Don’t Go It Alone – I am blessed with a partner and CoFounder who is diligent to pray and who is also very different from me, so we complement each other. I also have many praying friends and I reached out to them during our season of discernment asking them to please keep us in their prayers. Don’t be afraid to ask for prayer or a sounding board from an honest trusted person or even tribe.
Trust – God loves you and He has good plans for you. That never changes, no matter how you feel. There is a new dream, an adjusted dream, a better dream around the corner. When you let go of what was, you open yourself up to what can be ahead.

The process of discernment, letting go, and gearing up for what we feel called to next through Circles of Faith has not been easy. At times it’s been disappointing and frustrating. But we feel certain that God is going before us and leading us. We’ve had some wonderful live events, which have allowed us to share stories in new and exciting ways – our Story Slices series is one of the results. And we are gearing up to launch our podcast, which will continue to allow us to gather with women and share stories in a fresh and dynamic way.

Have you had a dream shift? I’d love to hear about it!

God promises to fulfill His purposes and His timing is perfect.

Click To Tweet

Shared by: Elise Daly Parker

When Your Dream Feels Unanchored

February 15, 2016 By Elise Daly Parker 9 Comments

Have you ever lost sight of your God-sized dream? Ever felt like it’s floating away? Have you ever come to a place where you’ve been tossed and turned by the waves of uncertainty?

That’s where I am right now. And I can tell you I don’t like it. There are times in my life when I’ve been so sure of my God-sized dreams…this is not one of those times. In fact, the thing I’m most sure of is the uncertainty I feel.

My dreams have faded, even been dashed. I am disappointed. I feel like a failure.

Click To Tweet

I’ve lost sleep over this. Shed a few tears. I don’t do “let go” or “release” well (my One Word for the New Year is “story,” but God gave me a second word that won’t go away…release!). No, I pretty much hold on for dear life. I’m very comfortable with what is and the unknowns make me so uneasy.

So what does a dreaming girl do in the midst of these rough waters that threaten to sink my dreams?

Well I haven’t done this in a while. I hit the decks, which in my case means I got down on the floor and laid, face down, journal and pen beside me, and cried out to God. I asked Him to please help me. Please let me know He’s still there. Please assure me that He’s not finished with me yet. Give me hope. Give me a glimpse of His glory.

For a few minutes I just lay there. I didn’t feel anything. I just tried to still myself. To stop wrestling and questioning and pleading. I asked God to please speak to me. I invited Him in. “God you know where I am. Please give me something…a touch from you.”

And then I was quiet. You know, we really can’t hear God if we don’t stop talking.

Click To Tweet

I remained still, pushing away To Dos and distraction.

I didn’t hear much. No booming voice. But a few thoughts edged into my mind that I believed could be from God. They were at least good thoughts. Positive thoughts. Reassuring thoughts. So I wrote them down in my beautiful bright turquoise journal with the gold lettering, “For I know the plans I have for you.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

And then I got up feeling a bit calmer and ready to face my day. I grabbed my iPhone and headed to my favorite chair. When I looked down at my screen, there it was. God’s wink…His assurance that He sees me, He knows me, He loves me, and He hears the cries of my heart.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

It felt like God had reached down from Heaven, grabbed my phone, scrolled over my notes, and led me to the exact words I needed to hear.

And would you believe the very next day I found a piece of paper dated 3-2-11, five years ago, that somehow floated to the top of a pile. It was essentially a journal entry based on a devotional I had read. It began, “Lord I need some assurance today that I am heading down the path you’ve set out for me…” It ended with, “I feel a prompting to start to map out a retreat designed to help people learn their stories and tell them. Don’t have much time for that now, but I can take baby steps.”

In just a matter of a few weeks, we, I along with an awesome group of women from Circles Of Faith Media, are hosting the first Your Story Your Influence Retreat. It’s going to be a day of powerful worship, inspiring speakers, and blessed fellowship. Our goal is to gather, inspire, and share our stories as a means of influencing a world that needs hope, joy, and restoration. It’s the fulfillment of a dream I had lost sight of, but He hadn’t!

Have you ever experienced a time of uncertainty about your God-sized dream? Have you wondered if your dream was floating away? Over the past couple of days, I’ve called out to God to please send me an anchor. And He has. I believe He’ll do the same for you.

In the meantime, here are some Scriptures to hang on to:

What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do. Isaiah 46:11b

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; Psalm 138:8a ESV

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

Shared by Elise Daly Parker

The 7 Stages Of Pursuing Your Dream

December 21, 2015 By Melissa Aldrich 3 Comments

Joe went out for the long pass. He was wide open and just a few feet from the end zone.

Glancing over his shoulder, he saw his brother Reuben arch the ball perfectly in his direction. The closest defender was yards away. Today would be the day that Joe would score his first touchdown in the neighborhood games.

His fingers brushed the pigskin and he reached to pull the ball close to him. But just as Joe pulled in the ball, he tripped and the ball flew from his grasp and out of play. He looked down to see that his shoe was untied.

Joe buried his head in the grass. He knew what was coming. He could already hear Simeon rolling and laughing on the ground.

“Joe, when are you going to learn to hold onto the ball?” It was Reuben.

“I’m sorry, Reu. I tripped.”

His brother Judah spat on the ground beside him. “Face it Joe, you’re not cut out for football like the rest of us.”

“Dad says I’m going to be better than him! He says I have the potential to be the best wide receiver in the history of the NFL.” Joe replied defiantly. Football was his life.

“That’s only because you’re the youngest. There’s nothing special about you.” Judah retorted.

In the distance, Simeon and Levi were reenacting Joe’s failed play.

Joe stood up and sprinted all the way home to his father. His breath came fast and rushed in between his teary sobs.

“Joe, what’s wrong?” asked his father as he heard the boy rush inside. Joseph’s jaw tightened; he didn’t want his dad to know he had missed the pass, but he did want revenge on his brothers: all ten of them.

“My brothers are what’s wrong. They called me a loser and said I’m terrible at football.” Joe’s face was blotchy and streaked with dirt and his dad’s heart moved with compassion.

“Your brothers will be punished for what they said.” Joe felt the tiniest bit of remorse for his brothers. He knew the trouble that they would receive. He heaved a deep sigh.

“Son,” continued his father, “You will grow into your gifts with time.”

Click To Tweet

“I want to grow into them now.” Joe said sullenly. His father stood up and guided the boy into the office. On the top shelf he took down his old NFL helmet, and slid it into Joseph’s hands.

“You will grow into your gifts, son. Take this and let it remind you of what you can become with patience.”

Joe wore the helmet the rest of the evening except when his mom made him take it off to eat. His brothers scowled at him, partly because of their punishments, but mostly because he had been given the helmet. None of them would talk to him.

That night he dreamed about football. It was a Super Bowl game. He saw all of his brothers on the sidelines. Some were special teams coaches, others were photographers, a few were players, Reuben was the quarterback, and Judah was the waterboy. Joseph was the coach. As his team won all his brothers threw Joe onto his shoulders and cheered! The team tossed gallons of Gatorade on him. Joseph was the leader and a winner!

When Joe woke up, he couldn’t wait to tell his brothers!

__________________________________________________________________

As I’m sure you remember when Joseph shared his dream with his brothers things went poorly for him. The brothers, still angry about the bad report and the coat of many colors, sold Joseph into slavery. He spent years in slavery honing his leadership skills and finally ending up head of the household. Then he was falsely accused and sent to prison. And he sat in prison for years after he asked the cupbearer to remember him in front of Pharaoh. Finally, God makes him ruler right under Pharaoh and he saves his family’s life. (not familiar with the story? Check out Genesis Chapter 37 through Chapter 42)

I just re-framed this story so that you could see Joseph’s dream as if it were your own. Can you imagine from the giving of the dream to the realization of it in stages with me?

Excitement. “You called me to great things! I will do great things! I have value and are important even though I am the youngest one.”
Discouragement. “I must have imagined the dream. It didn’t really matter.”
Determination. “I will do this thing. Even as a slave I will work my way to the top of this household and be above reproach!”
Despair. “I did everything right and I’m in prison. These dreams are stupid. I will never be a leader.”
Dependence. “Okay, Lord. I don’t know what you’re doing around me. I don’t know why I am here or why this looks different from what I imagined, but I surrender to your work in me. Make me the leader I saw in the dream. Change my heart.”
Willingness. “Okay, Lord, I’ve seen the bottom. You rescued me in ways I could never imagined. Let me use my gifts of leadership to save this kingdom from certain death. Let me help these people acknowledge how much they need You through my service.”
Realization. “Wow, Lord, you did it! You used me as an instrument to save my family.”

What are you experiencing in the pursuit of your dreams?

How can we pray for you?

Shared by: Melissa Aldrich

Are We Listening, Or Leading?

December 18, 2015 By Chelle Wilson 4 Comments

Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth;
Therefore let your words be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 (NKJV))

Dear Dreamers,

Hear my confession. In my early years dreaming God-Sized Dreams, I took the joy I found in writing and supposed it to be the dream I was to build and dedicate to the Glory of God. I meant well , but I was entirely wrong.

Rather than listening in the quiet to hear God’s call, I was rash. I took things out of order.

Click To Tweet

I forgot that He was God alone, supposing instead that I could partner with Him. I was not listening to be available to do His Will.

I was trying to lead and getting in His Way.

An innocent mistake, I see now that it took me journeying along in the wilderness much like the Children of Israel, who wandered 40 years out of the way on a 40-day trip. So desperate was I to make sense of my “exile,” I reasoned that God determined me to be an outsider.

I began to make peace with a life in the wild. It was dishonest, but it offered contentment.

Click To Tweet

Or so I thought.

It usefully distracted me from my on-going misery about the fullness of joy lacking in my life. I was always mad, disappointed with God that the Joy and the Peace I knew so many experienced eluded me. What’d I do wrong?

The wrong was all in the doing…

My testimony is not so much that I was lost and now am found, but that I was dying spiritually, disconnected from The Vine, busying myself. I was longing for intimacy with God beyond anything I’d ever achieved previously. Or at least I thought so. I was reminded once again that God is always working in the background. Despite the appearance of wilderness, death, and dry bones, there was a Holy Ghost riot happening at the roots of my soul. Finally, it is good to return to the land of the living.

How did I return, you ask? I stopped fighting God. I stopped being angry, stopped filling my time, and quietly waited upon God. Oh, and there is one more thing. When God called, I simply said Yes.

What happened? Not the things I thought might. (and this is not a happily wrapped story ending, as God is not through with me yet). New things. New adventures. New perspectives on the world. New relationships, and yes, new calls from God.

I am more joyful than I’ve ever been, and while everything is not rosy, my perspective has changed (Perspective is key). I worry less and rely upon God more. And, when I get nervous, I remind myself, sometimes audibly, that He has Never Failed.

Here is the takeaway-let’s agree that dreaming is hard. Let’s concede that it takes a certain foolhardy bravery that is part faith and part stubborn tenacity. Anybody putting forth that much effort just to get to the starting line deserves a full serving of Grace.

And there is one other thing.

Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Listen more, and lead less, if at all.

(He doesn’t need your help.)

Shared by: Chelle Wilson