[pinit count=”horizontal”]Have you ever felt small?
Insignificant?
Worried that maybe you weren’t having an impact?
Well, I’ve recently spent a week circling that drain of emotions.
I have been gifted with a group of God-sized dreaming girlfriends that have encouraged me and given me fresh perspective on this dreaming business. But they’re not without questions and doubts of their own. We were talking about swapping a few guest posts, and one woman who I adore said, “I’d love to join in, but I don’t think my blog is as popular as some…so what’s holding me back is the thought that someone would work so hard on a guest post and then might not be read by as many people….I sort of lost my courage to guest post.”
Well, after letting her have it because she rocks and you would love her writing, I started thinking about how much we measure ourselves by some imaginary measuring stick. We have some idea of what “big” or “important” or “significant” looks like and we’re just small…
This happens for those of us that are career women, and I’ve written about overcoming those struggles even as I was in the midst of them. This happens to us mommas and you know those measurement battles amongst those of us with kids. This happens to us bloggers and writers and speakers. This happens to friends and wives and pretty much anyone who breathes air. You figure someone else is breathing air better or at least breathing more important air.
Holley Gerth shares this in her beautiful book, You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream:
What you’re doing isn’t small if it’s what God has for you. It’s big. And it may just lead to something even bigger. Make the most of where you are right now. Give everything you have. God has so much in store for you. And he has so much for you right here too….In case you haven’t heard it lately, thank you. Thank you for what you do. Especially when it seems no one sees. Especially when you wonder if it matters at all. It does. And you do too.
Oh friend, if you feel small today, don’t wear that as a demoralizing label.
Drop the measuring stick.
It’s not real.
I assure you that the God that formed you into being and knows the number of hairs on your head isn’t using it. Let’s get past this insignificance we cling to. God created you with a purpose and has so much planned for you, in the now, and in the future. Hold fast. Stay strong.
I close with this absolute treasure about how small is just right. Lisa Jo Baker shared wisdom that spoke to my soul in the midst of all my small-feeling,
Small, my friend, is exactly the right size. Small is understanding ourselves in true relation to the God who made us…. Small is fitting into our own shoes. Small is how the Savior fit into our skin. Small is the size of every new beginning. Create without a measuring stick. And after a while you might forget the size of your voice.
Oh, couldn’t you just go on that for days?
Small is how the Savior fit into our skin.
Small is the size of every new beginning.
Small, in His hands, is a pretty BIG place to be.
Photo Credit: Aldenn
Thanks for your encouraging words that I needed to hear!
Thank you Cheryl – it’s nice to know we’re not in it alone.
Beautiful Gindi! Oh the high cost of comparison. We lose every time. Every life is of utmost value to God. And those of us who know somewhere in us that this is true, we are blessed. When I read your words, I can’t help but think of the many people who don’t have sisters cheering them on toward their God-sized dreams. I pray they will find their way here…and that we all will find our true significance in God. He loves us so, today, here, now…not for what we do but for who we are! Blessings sister.
I know, I’m praying this will be a place that is community and not competition for women who find strength in Him!
Shew – in tears! The Lisa Jo Baker quote will ring in my mind for days…weeks! This is beautiful, and exactly what my heart needed today. Thank you, Gindi! xoxo
Oh thank you Sam – that quote knocked me off my feet, so glad you came to our community.