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The “What Ifs” of God-sized Dreaming…

January 12, 2015 By Elise Daly Parker 9 Comments

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My Circles of Faith Co-founder Kimberly and I have faced many challenges as we stepped out in faith, starting a website we felt called to…and thought we had a clear vision for.

We spent many months in the planning and seeking stages. We gathered and prayed, wrote and rewrote our mission and purpose statements, agonized over our logo and site design. Every visual, every word was intentional and prayed over.

Together Kimberly and I attended our first bloggers’ conference, gladly and maybe a little hesitantly handing out our new business cards with high hopes that by the time we launched our website, the groundwork was laid and success was certain.

We invested money, effort, hours, held a well-attended launch party with enthusiastic supportive attendees. We were full of anticipation and excitement as we forged ahead.

And then we launched. Yay!

We checked our subscriber numbers weekly. We added Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. We went from a team of two, to a team of six, to a team of 18. All the while, the numbers of subscribers, followers, likers were disappointing.

What was wrong? We wondered. Was this worth it? Did we not pray enough or do enough? Deep in the recesses of my heart, I wondered, Am I not good enough? (<====Click to Tweet)

Oh there were so many times we wanted to quit. One week, I was discouraged, wringing my hands and saying things like, “I just don’t know! I don’t feel like anyone cares. I don’t know how much longer I want to do this.” Kimberly encouraged me with a prayer, an idea, hope.

The next week, she was discouraged. And it was my turn to hold her up, speak words of faith, prayers of promise. We continued along this downward path for some time.

Then as we faced the New Year last year, we decided we would stop giving power to our thoughts of discouragement. Instead we would commit to the next year and keep on praying, asking for God’s guidance and discernment every step of the way. The moments of doubt didn’t disappear, but they dimmed.

We had others come alongside us from time to time, too. One team member lent her strategic skills. Another shared her heart for nonprofits and varied media outlets. Another said more than once, “You two are too much in each other’s heads,” offering to help us open our circle wider. And another team member came with her willingness to help us with events. All of them came bearing gifts of themselves…and their faith, hope, and love when we needed a boost.

Now we are preparing for our first LIVE event, Women of Influence sponsored by Circles of Faith. This was always part of the vision. To take what we were doing online – Sharing stories to grow in Faith, do Life together, gather and build Community – and connect in-person.

The time, the people, the place has lined up perfectly. We put out the invitation and had a growing waiting list within a couple of days. It seems all our prayers and efforts have not been for naught. God was at work all along, doing His thing, moving hearts, sowing seeds, preparing the way. And we anticipate this event will be the first of many.

What if we had given up after the disappointments of year one?

What if we had given into hopeless, faithless words and thoughts?

What if we went our own way, instead of pressing on, following God’s path?

What if we had closed down instead of opened up to the words of encouragement and support from our friends?

Well, Circles of Faith would be gone…and there would be no gathering of Women of Influence. Women who will enter into fellowship, build bridges, share stories, and break bread together.

What if you close down, turn away, entertain doubt, give up when you’re supposed to keep going? (<====Click to Tweet)

What won’t happen?

Shared by: Elise

Photo Credit: NordiTico

Related

Filed Under: Fears Tossing Your Dream, The Ups and Downs of Dreaming

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Elise Daly Parker

About Elise Daly Parker

Elise’s latest dream set sail with the launch of her community site, Circles of Faith, Where Faith, Life, and Community Intersect. Through Circles, Elise lives out her passion for sharing stories that inspire, equip, and connect. She believes everyone has a story that matters, that God forms our dreams, and He will make them come true! Anchored in writing and editing for over 30 years, Elise is a freelance writer and editor, speaker, writing coach, and MOPS Mentor Mom. She is newly navigating life at home without kids and with a wonderful husband. Her future itinerary includes a grandbaby. She looks forward to dropping anchor here and getting to know you! Elise blogs at Our Stories, God's Glory and can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Comments

  1. TiffanyTiffany says

    January 12, 2015 at 11:30 am

    Your words were inspiring and encouraging, Elise. As I read, I had the beautiful picture in my mind of you and your co-laborers passing that baton of hope, prayer, and hard work until finally it landed, or was surendered, into the hands of God Who ran it straight across the finish line. Great is His faithfulness!! Praying much continued success in your amazing community of dreamers.

    Reply
    • AvatarElise Daly Parker says

      January 13, 2015 at 9:13 pm

      Thank you Tiffany for your encouragement. I find myself having to surrender time and time again when it comes to Circles of Faith. It’s really God’s thing, His vision…and I have to give it over to Him.

      Reply
  2. Karen SippsKaren Sipps says

    January 12, 2015 at 11:33 am

    Ohmywow! This is speaking to my heart today. Just yesterday, ai was telling a friend via long distance that this year I just want to hold hands with someone and pray over (me) starting a new business and being a writer and being a good mom and a good wife. I want someone to sit down with me over coffee and take my hand and say, “please tell me what’s going on in your life, not because I want to tell everyone else about it just because I care.”

    It feels like it is so hard to find that welcoming community within my own circles and oftentimes I’ve wondered if it was something I was supposed to start locally on my own. Thank you for this gentle nudge of encouragement to continue on even if the path seems dark, and prayers for an amazing event!

    Reply
    • AvatarElise Daly Parker says

      January 13, 2015 at 9:17 pm

      Thank you for your prayers Karen! Let’s dream together…I hope (and give this vision over to God) that one day, Circles of Faith – Women of Influence gatherings will happen locally all over the country…maybe even the world. And you’ll be our contact making it happen in your area. In the meantime, you go girl. You make it happen. Start simply. Meet with just a couple of other like-minded moms. And keep praying and giving it over to God. Let me know what happens!
      P.S. I have found MomsInPrayer.org to be an amazing source of Christian fellowship. Check it out!

      Reply
  3. AvatarJenn Hand says

    January 12, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    what powerful words. It is so easy to give into doubt and fear with God sized dreams. I am so proud of you guys and so blessed to know you!! praying for what God will continue to do!

    Reply
  4. AvatarElise Daly Parker says

    January 13, 2015 at 9:18 pm

    Thanks so much Jenn! You are such an inspiring example of stepping out bravely and doing what God lays on your heart. Proud of you and blessed to know you.

    Reply
  5. AvatarMary Geisen says

    January 17, 2015 at 10:08 pm

    Thank you for your story. I love the reminder of perseverance throughout trusting that God who lead you this far will continue to see you through. Blessings!

    Reply
    • AvatarElise Daly Parker says

      February 8, 2015 at 6:30 pm

      Yes Mary, exactly…God will see us through. If we just give a moment to looking back over our lives, His track record proves, He loves us and is Faithful!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. When All of a Not So Suddenly, Our Dreams Come True says:
    February 23, 2015 at 3:04 am

    […] month, I talked a little here about the journey to and through CirclesOfFaith.org. At times it has been hard to persevere. Thankfully, I work with a team who holds one another up […]

    Reply

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