God-sized Dreams

Where Dreams Set Sail

When God Shifts Your Dreams {For A Season}

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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. 

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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.

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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
                            
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Comments

  1. Jennifer, this is gorgeous -> “Motherhood is holy work behind closed doors.”
    There’s so much invisibility to the tasks of mothering that our pride does rise up and cry for recognition in some way! I’m thankful for these words today, sharing your heart and inviting others to be comfortable with owning and navigating a shifting dream landscape.

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  2. Jennifer, this is such a beautiful post. Motherhood (and beyond) demands much that will require us to push ourselves aside and do for those He has placed in our care. “Every season has its own set of dreams” and in time, every season ties together. May we not miss that which God places before us in this very season. And what a smile on Jackson’s face! Blessings to you both!

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  3. I’m so thankful God cares about our dreams! In fact, I believe He placed those dreams specifically in each of us. Beautiful.

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  4. God has been showing me so much about seasons. They are so much more than watching for the weather to change. And you know what else He cares about? Us. You. Me. Jackson. All of it. May God reveal Himself to you so clearly in this season!

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  5. I love seasons, am I’m grateful to live in a place where we have distinct weather seasons. But, goodness, those life season transitions are hard sometimes. Your post here encourages me, as you so often do. I’m so glad you could share this piece of your story here. Love you! xo

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  6. What beautiful words to encourage each of us, no matter what age we are, no matter where we are in life (age-wise or professional life), that God’s plans for us are by far the best. Oh, that we would only listen for His still small voice. I am delighted that you shared this vital part of your life as it may be an encouragement to many others who are in the same shoes or boat.
    May Jackson be so blessed as he enters Kindergarten and as he spends more and more time with his mother. : ) (I once was a K-1 teacher and know the delight I had while teaching little ones such as Jackson. They are like sponges, so eager to learn.

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  7. Beautiful words and an even better example of doing God’s will. Hungry Hippo sounds like just the place I would want to be. Thank you for your honesty. Praying for your journey as you embrace this season in your life.

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  8. Jennifer, I agree with you whole-heartedly, both about your decision to embrace motherhood in such a beautiful way and the idea of seasons in our lives. There have been seasons in my own life when writing was on the back burner, never turned off, just simmering. May God bless you as you follow Him one day at a time!

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    • Donna, I love that – never turned off, just simmering. I know without a doubt God made me a writer, but how much I write changes with the seasons. He’s never completely taken that desire or gift away from me. Glad I’m entering a season where I will have a little more time to write since Jackson will be in school full-time.

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  9. Good for you, Jennifer! God will bless your obedience to Him and devotion to this sweet child He has given you. Don’t beat yourself up for opportunities in the past that may have rushed by. They can make the ones today richer in appreciation.

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  10. Thank you for this reminder . Being a mother to my 3 year triplets is indeed my highest calling. I knew that but the wake up call was when you mentioned trying to build a platform shouldn’t be priority and taking the place of building our children’s heart.

    Thank you so much for this message . It is not about how many followers I have but all about instilling in my Children to be a Christ Follower.

    Blessings.
    I am so glad to link up with you as well.

    Diana

    Reply

    • Diana – It took me a LONG time to learn the lesson about not building a platform, but building up Jackson’s heart. It’s one I have to work on every. single. day. It takes a lot of dying to self and sometimes that isn’t fun. I love what you said – it’s not about how many followers we have but about making sure our children become Christ followers! Amen!!!

      Reply

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