Today is Tuesday, and that means a guest post and link up! We’re thrilled to introduce you to Toni Campbell! She is a brave dreamer, who refuses to stay down, even when the journey gets tough. Thank you, Toni, for sharing your heart with us today!
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As a young girl, I’d never heard of “God-sized dreams”, but knew in my heart God would use me in a big way.
At 13, my aunt gave me a journal with this inscription “God blessed you with a creative writing talent. Whether it will be something that will serve just to give you pleasure or become something that will truly get your name in “important” print (for many to enjoy) only time will tell. You, however, with God’s help and guidance should develop your ability as much as possible.”
I filled that journal with poems and stories, but even more than writing, I loved singing.
So in college, I was sure that performing was the “big way” I’d be used.
Why do we think Almighty God…The One who created US…THE Dream Giver…needs help to chart our course?
But I was 18 and knew everything. Until I knew nothing.
Within a year, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, my parents divorced, and a series of bad choices included dropping out of college and entering into a volatile marriage that would officially end 31 years later.
In the midst of daily survival, I forgot there ever was a dream.
I’d made such a mess of things…I often wanted to forget there was a God, too.
Ever felt that way? Like putting your hands over your eyes, or sticking your fingers in your ears and saying “Don’t look at me! Don’t talk to me! I’m going to pretend You’re not here so You’ll leave me alone!”
But God knew the dreams He had for me, and He refused to let me go. (<==== Click to tweet)
The road back was filled with missteps, mistakes, and messes, but God’s in the restoration business. Just check out that promise in Joel 2:25.
Oh, how often I’d cried over those locust-eaten years.
I remember pleading with God “how long will I suffer for my mistakes?”
But I had asked for forgiveness and it had been given. Slowly I realized those years in the wilderness were neither punishment nor wasted time, but a training ground – restoring my faith, teaching me about God’s love and mercy, and reinstilling the belief that He had a purpose for me. (<==== Click to tweet)
The road back was also filled with hope, healing and a hunger to discover just what the “big way” was – from God’s perspective this time. No “help” from me.
After many seemingly unrelated experiences, God brought it all together.
Something I read in a book called “The Externally Focused Church” burned into my soul, broke my heart, and moved me to action. It said (referring to the local church) “If you picked up and left, how would the city feel? Would your city weep? Would anybody even notice? Would anybody care?”
On January 10, 2010, I met with my pastor to discuss leaving the walls of our church to impact our community.
Several months later CommunityConnections was born.
Local outreach has become a core value of our church. Hundreds of people have been blessed as they “leave the building” to serve the community on a regular basis in a multitude of ways. Hundreds more benefit from their practical acts of service.
About two years ago, I returned to using that “creative writing talent” my aunt encouraged me to develop almost 40 years before, by blogging about those outreaches and life lessons.
Then last fall, my pastor asked me to teach with him on sacrifice and service.
Speaking was something I had secretly dreamed of doing for many years. In fact, I was slated to attend my first speakers’ conference the following weekend.
As I addressed the congregation, something in me came alive!
My God-sized dream is to challenge His church to care for their fellow man through practical acts of service by planning outreaches, then encouraging others to do the same through the written and spoken word.
It’s a huge dream, but that’s okay. Ephesians 3:20 says: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…”
You’re never too old, or too far from God to be used by Him…so what’s your God-sized dream?
Toni Campbell is mom to a grown son and daughter, and a new son-in-law. She writes radio commercials, devotions for The Quiet Hour, and blogs. Toni serves as the director of CommunityConnections, the outreach ministry of her church. Her passion is showing God’s love to others through practical acts of service (Gal. 6:9). Her life and ministry are living proof of the truth found in Ephesians 3:20 as God continues to do abundantly more than she could ever imagine. Toni feels closest to God near the water – down at the Jersey shore, near the Delaware River and especially walking along the shores of her beloved lake – the setting for her Lakeside Lessons blog. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.
Photo Credit: +Mongol via Compfight cc
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We invite you to link up your God-sized dream posts below.
Rather than give a prompt, we’re opening the weekly link up to ALL God-sized dream posts!
Share your story on your blog and link up with other God-sized dreamers.
{For those who don’t have a blog, we invite you to share in the comments or on Facebook.}
We only ask that you keep the linked posts God-sized dream related and that you link back to this post.
{Click here for a link to the photo above.}
Kristin Smith says
April 8, 2014 at 6:37 amSuch a beautiful post Toni!! Thank you for guest posting here and sharing how God has used you!! I know that your words will be a blessing to so many!
Toni C says
April 8, 2014 at 12:29 pmThank you for the encouragement Kristin…it’s my honor and privilege to share what God has done in my life!
Mandy says
April 8, 2014 at 7:29 amThank you for sharing your story, Toni! Your words are powerfully encouraging, and it is a joy to get to know you through them.
Toni C says
April 8, 2014 at 12:33 pmThanks Mandy 🙂 I’ve enjoyed getting to know so many of you here on this site through your stories. So glad to have a chance to do the same!
Ashley Fields says
April 8, 2014 at 7:38 amThank you Toni! It is becoming increasingly clear that my God-Sized Dream is more than just becoming an author. It is also challenging the church to take up the torch of environmental stewardship that we seem to have laid down and forgotten somewhere along the way. Considering how the church feels about many environmental issues, that is going to be a tough task but with God all things are possible!
Toni C says
April 8, 2014 at 12:39 pmSo cool to read this Ashley!! CommunityConnections has just been given elder approval this past week to begin a garden on our grounds. It’s been a 3 year dream of mine that God is finally bringing to fruition. We will be growing fruits, vegetables and flowers. The food will be donated to a local food bank that supplies almost 50 food pantries in our area. I’m so psyched! I understand what you’re saying about the church and environmental issues, but you are right…we need to remember that God is Creator and we are stewards of EVERYTHING He’s given us including this earth. I’ll be praying that God bring this dream into full focus for you – and I’ll be blogging as we go about the garden and this outreach, so I encourage you to check out lakeside lessons for the updates 🙂
Kristin Waters says
April 8, 2014 at 7:42 amI love when you say that your years in the wilderness served as a training ground! You absorbed your lessons and made something beautiful from them. Beautiful post ♡
Alecia says
April 8, 2014 at 8:35 amI loved that line too!!
Toni C says
April 8, 2014 at 12:44 pmKristin, Alecia – thanks so much. It would have gone far easier for me if I had realized the purpose of that time sooner, but then, that’s the rub isn’t it? 🙂 Hindsight is 20/20! I am grateful though that God revealed some of His purpose to me. I always say He sees the big picture, but we just get a snapshot in time…
Marie says
April 8, 2014 at 11:05 amToni,
As I read,
“Slowly I realized those years in the wilderness were neither punishment nor wasted time, but a training ground- restoring my faith, teaching me about God’s love and mercy, and reinstalling the belief that He had a purpose for me”,
it seared my soul and reduced me to tears for two reasons.
One, I have seen how God has been restoring you over time (without knowing all the details of your wilderness) and the blessing you have become to me and everyone around you.
Second, it mad me reflect on my own “wilderness” that I have been wondering around in over the past few years; losing the hope that my life would soon get better. However, reminding me that God does have a purpose for my life and He is true to His word has renewed my hope. He is in the restoration business- Joel 2:25!
Thank you for being transparent and sharing some intimate details about your life.
You have blessed me once more!
Toni C says
April 8, 2014 at 12:57 pmOh Marie, I’m so blessed to know that these words have spoken to you!! Thank you for your kind words in return. God most certainly has a plan for your life and the hardest lesson I’ve learned (over and over) is that His ways are not ours, and mostly, His timing is NOT mine!! I would never have chosen to go through so many years of hurt and pain, but He has used those things to mold me, strengthen me and use me. He will use you too! Praying that you rest in His love as He upholds you with His righteous right hand 🙂
Meredith Bernard says
April 8, 2014 at 5:59 pmToni, your words today speak beautifully to me. I am starting to unearth my own dreams that I feel God is giving to me that I never knew I had. At least I never knew I would actually attempt achieving. And I’ve had so many people and circumstances put in my life by God that I would never had thought equalled me fulfilling these dreams…yet, here I am. It’s so wonderful to be under the care of a God so Big, isn’t it? I’m inspired by your story and I’m so glad you picked up your pen (or computer, as it were) and started writing again. You have a great talent and God will surely continue to use you. Bless you!
Toni C. says
April 8, 2014 at 10:10 pmAmen Meredith – it IS wonderful to be under His care! He is so big that nothing is impossible for Him, yet so personal, He knows and cares about our every need. He takes care to move just the right people and circumstances into our lives, weaving them altogether to create something breathtaking. Cheering you on as you achieve those God-given dreams!! Thank you for your encouragement as well 🙂
Elise Daly Parker says
April 8, 2014 at 10:26 pmJust love this story of faith and hope. A powerful reminder, Toni, that God will have His way with us…and He will make a way for us to live our best lives. So thankful you are sharing your gift of writing and speaking. Bless you!
Toni C says
April 9, 2014 at 4:24 pm“God will have His way with us” – so, so true Elise!! And we are the better for it 🙂 Thank you for your kind words.
joy says
April 9, 2014 at 12:14 amWhat a wonderful story. Yes, it encouraged me to not to give up. Just keep on dreaming ang working and enjoyong the walk.
Toni C says
April 9, 2014 at 4:27 pmYes, never give up!! So glad you found my story encouraging Joy. God bless you as you dream with Him 🙂
Janet says
April 10, 2014 at 9:21 pmI loved reading this Toni! So many times I have worried that I had wasted too many years. I love the perspective that it was not punishment nor wasted time, but training! It didn’t all feel like training, but looking back I can see that what you say is true. I shared your word picture on my Facebook page. I hope other people will rejoice in knowing their past was useful to God.
Toni C. says
April 10, 2014 at 9:48 pmYou’re so right Janet – it doesn’t all feel like training in the midst of it. I have a friend who likes to say that God never wastes our pain…and that statement is reinforced by the promise in Joel 2:25. The restoration of those years is the way He uses them to teach, encourage and strengthen us and others. There is purpose in the pain. Thanks so much for sharing on Facebook and I join you in praying that it will encourage others. Thanks for your encouraging comments 🙂
Dolly@Soulstops says
April 11, 2014 at 4:19 pmToni,
What an inspiring post…Thank you!
Toni C. says
April 12, 2014 at 9:12 pmThank you Dolly…I was blessed to be able to share just a little of the amazing way God has moved in my life!