The calls came in quick succession.
I’d not expected either one.
I don’t normally write this down, but a part of my God-sized dream involves speaking. In some nontraditional ways to some nontraditional audiences. Several weeks ago, I received two requests to speak to some new groups, to which I had no connection, in cities that are not my own, on topics I love to speak.
But still I couldn’t say yes. I couldn’t understand why I had such hesitation.
You see, I prayed for a long time for God to help me find the right relationship and then I married my husband when I was in my 30s. I prayed for long time to have children and then we were gifted with triplets after the years of struggle. I don’t doubt for a moment that God has a plan where He will use my passions and talents. However, I also don’t doubt that whatever His plan is, a huge part of it is being a faithful mother and wife (and employee).
So I just kept praying. Praying for wisdom. Praying for guidance. And even though it seemed to contradict what I thought my God-sized dream was, I said no to the requests. I thanked them and offered the possibility of something in the future but said I couldn’t add additional travel into my schedule this year.
Then I spent much of the next two weeks at home. I had some very sick kids that I needed to take care of and I watched them knowing they were one of my biggest God-sized dreams. One dream does not preclude the other. Yet one sometimes has to be the priority.
Last week another call came. Another one out of the clear blue sky where an energy event planner read an article in which I had been interviewed. From that, she found my blog and my book and my speaking information. She asked if I would offer the closing keynote at a summit in the fall. Speaking in some nontraditional ways to a nontraditional audience as the closing keynote speaker. Oh, and the summit would be held ten minutes from my front door.
The first opportunities were “better,” but this one was the best. I had to say no to the better in order for there to be room for the best.
Now Lord knows there have been plenty no’s (those I chose and those I haven’t) that were never followed by a yes. Saying no is so scary. What if it’s my last shot? What if it’s the last door? But if it’s not the best yes for you, then it’s never your last shot. (<==== Click to tweet) It’s God teaching you. Training you. Walking you through the pruning process so you can really bear fruit.
Saying no to the better can open the door to His best. (<==== Click to tweet)
Shared by: Gindi Vincent
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Gindi, thanks for this post. When my husband and I were serving in a traveling ministry, we were often tempted to try to fill our calendar by calling peopler and asking for speaking opportunities. We learned to sit back and wait on the Lord. When we filled our schedule our way, we saw other doors open that we could not take part in because we went ahead of God. God’s timing is perfect.
Oh yes Elaine, that was my year round temptation last year, but none of those leads panned out. When I sat still, I saw how much BIGGER His plans were than mine!
OH MY GOSH!!! I can’t even TELL you how I NEEDED to hear this today RIGHT NOW! God is in the midst of fulfilling my dream and I’ve been needing to choose between 2 schools to get my counseling degree. I wanted one…was convinced it was OK w/ God. But…then I found out they are not accredited….I’d asked for prayer from our church for God to hit me over the head w/ the right decision. I know the other school is HIS plan for me but I’ve been scared to say yes to it because I liked the other program better…because its more expensive….because it doesn’t seem to “fit” my personality….because its farther away from my house. And yet….GOD apparently wants me at that school. And so…GULP…I guess I will be saying YES to HIS BEST and not just the better – though I do it w/ some (OK…lots!) of trepidation!!!!
Oh thank you Leslie! How exciting that you are pursuing a counseling degree! His best will come through SO BIG when we trust Him and take those baby steps where He would have us go!
Praying for you, Leslie!
It must have been hard to say “no”. How wonderful that God let you know right away that you made the right decision, and He knew what the future would hold for you and your children. We have such an awesome God!
yes, it doesn’t always happen so quickly janet, more often than not it doesn’t, but here it was such a gift to get confirmation the no was the right response!
Love, love, LOVE this! Needed this, value it, appreciate it & heeding it today! Thank you for sharing! ♥
thank you Satin! it’s nice to know we’re all in it together!
I have a hard time saying no, always have. Out of fear I worry the one time I do say no I’m going to miss out on something big and mess everything up… Dramatic I know! I’m trusting God to open and shut or slam the doors he wants me to walk through.
Oh no, I totally know Alecia, I’m prone to the dramatic too, but God is teaching me, slowly, that it’s the only way to make room for what He’s storing up!
Nice post.
Thank for dropping in today Denise!
I’m proud of you Gindi! It’s not easy to put boundaries around our dreams…and it would be really easy to assume that God opened the door to those speaking engagements so you should walk through. But instead you’re honoring your family and God through your priorities and His favor is resting upon you. Blessings, friend!
Thank you Elise – it was so hard, and I was so incredibly grateful that He keeps showing me that His plan is far beyond what I could try to create….