Just a Short Note {God-Sized Dream}

Here is Holley's challenge for this week: take this “do what you can” step for your God-sized dream…Write a letter of encouragement to another dreamer in your life.

Dear Tricia,

   I never thought all those years ago, when my family walked through the doors of that little church up on the hill, that God had such a mighty dream waiting. I came in a little batter and very bruised from female friendships of the past. As a teenager, I had place a wall around my heart and vowed to never let anyone (besides family) past that wall. However, when you looked at me you (and a few others) never let that that stop you from loving. You continuously reached out to me and bit by bit knocked that wall away. It was during those times that God restored me. You so beautifully portrayed (and still do) the same type of love for me that He has.


I have watched you to learn what it is like to be a Godly woman. You have been the Titus 2:2 woman to me (since you are a whole 9 days older than me). I have looked to you to learn how to love my husband. Yours and Shane love is so deep, pure and honest. You do not pretend or sugar coat how very hard it is but instead you demonstrate how much it is worth the fight. As a mother you have proven that there is a love that is unconditional. One that both protects and corrects not matter what. I have seen, in you, a endurance that is winning the race.

You ARE my sister dreamer. God has placed in you a dream….A GOD-SIZED DREAM that He has invited you to be a part of. I wish you could look in the mirror, into your own eyes and see what I see. I pray that God would continue to reveal to you just how awesome you really are. That you would see the influence and effect you (yes Him in you) but you never the less do, can and will have for His kingdom.

You know one of my favorite passages is Isaiah 43: 18-19:

But forget all that –

It is nothing compared to what I am going to do.

I am about to do something new.

See I have already begun!

DO YOU NOT SEE IT ?

He has been working and preparing you to fly for all these years.  Open your wings and let Him be the wind.
I love you twin !!

Amy

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Not My Friend {Five Minute Friday}

Today ( really yesterday) I am joining my friends and Lisa-Jo again for Five Minute Friday(well actually Saturday.  I am a day late and many dollars short). If you’re new here (welcome!) the rules are simple: Write, don’t edit, link your post to her page, and then share the encouragement like wildfire. You can do that, I know you can.

The prompt this week is: Friend

Needing some fresh air and sunshine I decided to talk a walk in the local park during my lunch.  Two sweet little girls playing in the sandbox caught my attention so I sat on the bench to watch this young friendship play out.  Then I was shocked when the older girl suddenly stood up, put her hands on her hips and yelled, "You're not my friend."  Then she stomped off to her mom.  The cute little one in the yellow sundress sat there for a minute as if she was thinking,"What did I do." Then she lowered her head, began to cry and slowly walked the opposite direction.  My heart was broken for them both.

I have, at one time or another, been like both of them.  I have been the one that was hurt and I have also been the one that did the hurting.  I wondered the rest of the day what had happened that cause these two to so easily and quickly walk away.  Then I began to think of my own life.  My own friendships.  What had happened in my past relationships that caused me to so easily walk away.  Why had I not tried harder. Why had I not fought to stay close.

I have grown to learn how special and precious friendships are.  How much we need to have those connections to "Jesus with skin on." (Lysa TerKeurst's phrase).

How do you nurture your friendships?  Do you take the time and effort to work on your relationships ?


Amy

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Family Fun {God-Sized Dream}

Here is Holley's challenge for this week: take this “do what you can” step for your God-sized dream…Take some time to play. Do something creative. Snap a picture. Build a Pinterest board. Make a craft. Read a book. Bake a treat. Wrestle with your kids. Whatever energizes you. It can be related to your God-sized Dream in some way or totally different. Sometimes along the way to our dreams we just need a little time to play. It helps us keep going and reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously.

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Have you ever had one of those weekends that you look forward to for a month or more?  You have such big plans of all the fun and family time you are going to have.  Nothing big like a beach trip but just some time spend together relaxing.  Well this past weekend was suppose to that weekend at my house.  Both of my grown kids would be spending the whole weekend with us, Friday night would be dinner with friends and Sunday we would celebrate my birthday.  As a momma I could not have been more excited.   

Several weeks ago we had some thunderstorms with strong straight line winds that wiped out all of the pine trees in our yard.  My hubby had spend every evening cutting up the downed tree to clean up the mess.  Normally my father-in-law would be right by Mike's side in watch and make sure he didn't get hurt but this one night I decided to be the watchman.  With each cut of the chainsaw a cloud of pollen was released in the air over our heads.  I didn't think much of it until we got closer and closer to the weekend.  I began to feel every particle of pollen settled in my sinus.  I woke up on Wednesday with itchy swollen eyes, stuffy nose, a little cough and major headache.  Thursday was worse but I was determined not to let it ruin my weekend so I went on to work and even to dinner Friday night.  Saturday proved to be the end of my plans.  I spent most the day in bed both Saturday and Sunday.


I have to admit that I was a little upset that things did not work out as I planned but once again God taught me that He knew best. See, as I laid in bed I was able to spend some time helping my daughter search the internet for information she need for a research paper.  That may not have been the most exciting thing either one of us would have planned but I can't tell you how much it meant to me.  Since she turned 20 and is off at school, I have struggled to find where our relationship is.  To have her ask for my help (and accept my instructions) lets me know that she does still need her momma some.  

This is them being silly

We finished up later Saturday evening then my son arrived.  As I heard my two kids just talking and laughing together I knew that no matter what they would each always have someone to watch their back.  They may fuss, fight and yell but they also have a deep everlasting love for one another.  
Then Sunday after Samantha left to go back to school, Anthony sat on the edge of my bed and we got to spend a while talking about things. I am so proud to see how much they have grow.  Not much give a mother more peace than to know her children walk 

with the Lord.

So although the weekend did not go as I had planned, looking back I the only thing I would change would be to have had some softer tissue for my nose.  

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Jump {Five Minute Friday}

Today I am joining my friends and Lisa-Jo again for Five Minute Friday. If you’re new here (welcome!) the rules are simple: Write, don’t edit, link your post to her page, and then share the encouragement like wildfire. You can do that, I know you can.

The prompt this week is: Jump



I slowly took one step at a time up the tall thin ladder finally reaching the second platform.  I had never climbed this high.  My knees began to knock together as I look over the edge at the water below. I thought

to myself, "I can't do it." then took a couple of steps back.  However, I knew the rule was that once you go up you have to jump.  The lifeguard will not allow you to go back down the ladder.  The only way for me to get safely back to my mom was to jump off the 5 meters high platform.  As I walked back to the edge I begin to hear people yelling, "JUMP, JUMP,JUMP!"  Some were yelling out of frustration because I was holding them up.I think some were yelling because they wanted to see if I would end up doing a "belly-flop". I believe that most of the people were shouting simply to encourage me.  Feeling that encouragement, I took just one small step off the end of the platform and the free fall began.  It was such a freeing feeling as I "flew" through the air.  I was worried that hitting the water would hurt. I was able to keep myself straight and when I went into the water I was so invigorated.  As I swam to the side of the pool, mom was there waiting on me, I just said, "I want to try the top one now." (the top platform has since been closed)



My journey of following God has been a lot like my experience at Point Mallard on the diving platform.  Once I committed to following God's calling, I begun to hear all kind of voice yelling at me.  Some were yelling words of judgement, some words of frustration but most have been and still are speaking words of encouragement. It is those words of encouragement (both online and in real life) that has pushed me to take small steps to grow closer and closer to Him.  Now I am just looking to Him saying. "I want to go to the next level."

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Just Obey {God-Sized Dream}

Before I move into my God-Sized Dream post for the day I have to express my deepest sympathy and uplifting prayers for the victims of the bombings in Boston along with the whole City of Boston.



 Here is Holley's challenge for this week “Sometimes we feel alone not because we need to be with others but because God wants to be with us. Our lives are busy–especially when we’re pursuing a dream–and God may want to pull us aside for a bit” {You’re Made for a God-sized Dream, Chapter Six}. The most important part of any God-sized dream is the Giver of it. Set aside a particular time this week to be with Him–to pray, journal, take a walk or simply sit quietly and listen. Write a post sharing what your heart hears or receives then link it up next week.

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I was startled as the phone rang. Would this be the call I had been dreaming would come one day but was only half-heartedly expecting. I took a quick glace at the caller ID and tried to answer in my most professional voice, while my insides were quivering. She and I talked for a few minutes discussing date, time and place. We went over what she was looking for and what I had to offer. We wished each other a good and hung up. YES !!!! God is faithful. I finally had my very first real speaking event on the calendar.

Once I did a little happy dance, called my husband and friends reality hit. This was my first real speaking event. With reality came fear. I have taught my bible study group almost every Sunday night for 3+ years. I have spoken at several of my own church’s events. I even spoke at one local non-profit event. Some reason this seemed different from the beginning. As I begin to study and practice my talk, I continually felt very inadequate. I kept hearing my own voice in my head telling me, “Your words won’t matter. What you say will not change a thing.”

Then I got Holley’s challenge for us to get alone with God. For us to listen for His voice above others, even our own. I fully expected that God was going to change my message. I tried to cut out certain stories or reword my sentences. I prayed that He would just give me new scripture to teach and new stories to tell. Instead, He simply and wonderfully gave me a new attitude through an old familiar story. The story of Noah and the ark.

One verse in that story especially stood out, Genesis 7:16. Part b of that verse to be specific.

"Then the Lord closed the door behind them."

With this short phrase of a verse, God gave me peace and calmed my spirit. See I am not responsible for how the women at the event receive the message I give. I have no control on how they allow that message to effect their lives after the event. I am only to obey the calling He has given to me. Then end the end He will be the one that will close the door. That is not a burden I have to carry…at least not fully or alone.

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We Are Here For A Purpose {Five Minute Friday}

Today I am joining my friends and Lisa-Jo again for Five Minute Friday. If you’re new here (welcome!) the rules are simple: Write, don’t edit, link your post to her page, and then share the encouragement like wildfire. You can do that, I know you can.


The prompt this week is:   Here

GO!

As I sit here at my office, I have to kind of chuckle at just how God’s ways and timing are perfect even when we can’t see it.


Let me explain:

I have worked outside the home all of my adult life. About 3 years ago I had grow weary of the rat race and daily grind. However, with a daughter about to go off to college I know quitting was not an option. I actually enjoyed the work I was doing so I didn’t want to change jobs either. I love my co-workers so I wasn’t sure what the problem was. I caught myself saying way to often, as I would plop down at my desk, “I hate being here.” I had begin to take my position for granted. Then the first bomb dropped. In November 2011 I was told my job would be moving out of state. Yes I would be offered the opportunity to move with my work but for family reasons I knew I could not. To say the next 14 months have stressful would be a major understand.

I tell you story only as a background to tell you how God taught to be happy with my “here”. No matter where or what the “here” is.

During the months of not know if I would be out of work for the first time in over 25 years, God taught me how blessed I was in so many ways:

• That I had a husband and family that loved me for who I was not what I did.
• That I had a friends that supported me with love and prayers
• That I had put to much of my self-esteem in what I did for a living
• That He would provide as He always had
• The most important thing that He has taught me is that He is God and I am not

God holds us all in the palm of His hand. Nothing comes to us that has not already passed through Him. All we are required to do is to worship, serve and bring glory to Him no matter our “here”

STOP!

PS – Praise God - I have been blessed with a new job within the same company and one that is staying in my same city.

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Chihuahua of Fear {God-sized Dreams}

 This weeks prompt from Holley is "to have a little talk with the fear in your life. Write a letter that starts out, “Dear Chihuahua of Fear, I have some things I’d like to say to you…” {Is this kinda silly? Um, yes, but that’s the point. Fear always tries to make us take it more seriously than we should.}

Dear Chihuahua of Fear,

I have some things I would like to say to you. You follow me around all day every day nipping at my dreams little by little. All the while, barking words of fear and doubt so often that I think you are an old vinyl record skipping. Whoever made the statement that good things come in small packages may have been right about diamond rings and such but apparently, they never meet you. You think you have it made. That you can rule in my life but there is something you do not know. I have a new puppy in my life. His name is Faith-Praise. Right now, he is not much bigger than you are, but he is growing everyday. His bark is not very strong but it is deep and getting louder. He and I are spending more time together and as we do you will slowly but surely being pushed farther away. Faith-Praise and I may still see you around some but we will face you then move forward. So take this as a warning letter that your effect on my life is ending starting today.

And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord,

which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today,

you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.

Exodus 14:13-15

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After The Void is Filled {Five-Minute Friday}

Today I am joining my friends and Lisa-Jo again for Five Minute Friday. If you’re new here (welcome!) the rules are simple: Write, don’t edit, link your post to her page, and then share the encouragement like wildfire. You can do that, I know you can.


The prompt this week is: After

GO!

I thought it would happen after I graduated high school. But it didn't.
I thought I would feel different afterI said, "I Do !!".  But I didn't
Then I pictured it to all change after I had children. Yes, things changed but not as I pictured them to.
Each time I thought after this event or after that change the void in my life would be filled and I would finally feel satisfied.  That I would finally feel complete but it didn't happen.

At least not until after one especially stressful week in Aug of 2000. 

I end the week running into church late for the evening service.  I have to be honest, my mind really was not there and I am not sure my heart was either.  I was just going through the motions.  Once settled in my normal pew I noticed there was something different in the church.  The service began with the youth preforming a drama to the song "Arise My Love". 

If you don't know the song there is a verse where Jesus is in the cross and God turns His back because He could not look on the sin Jesus was carrying.  My sin.  As a real 'daddy's girl' the thought of a daddy turning his back on his child for someone else just broke my heart in a way I have never been broken before.  After that night I found the peace, love and satisfaction I have been seeking.  What could not have been found in another human or another thing was finally found after I turn my life over to Christ on that night.

Stop!

I know my time is up but I can't leave this post without offering you the same gift I recieved that night.  If you are trying to fill an unexplained void you feel let me tell you that Christ is the only one that can fill that space for you.  If you want to know more please contact me at amypboyd@bellsouth.net and I will be happy to share with you. 

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Because I Said So {God-Sized Dream}

Holley's God-sized dream challenge for this week was to tackle the "why" behind our dreams. Why is our dream worth pursuing, fighting for and seeing through no matter what happens? 

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I love playing with children. I like to get them all stirred up then send them home for their parents to handle but 2 weeks ago while volunteering in the church nursery God confirmed that working with children is not my calling.  
Since my children are 24 and 20 years old it has been a while since I spent any length of time with 2-3 year olds.  I had forgotten how many times you hear the question, “Why?” 

“Don’t put that in your mouth.”

“Why?”

“Don’t throw the toys.”

“Why?”

“Don’t climb on the table.”

“Why?”

I gave what I thought was clear answers to each of their whys but my replies just brought on more and more whys.  Finally, I did the only thing I knew… I let my mother's voice come out of my month and said, “Because I said so.” 

I knew that they did not need to put the toys in their mouth because it was not spotlessly clean and they might get sick. 

I knew that if they threw the toys they could hurt another child. 

I knew if they climbed on the table, they might fall.

In other words, I knew what was best for them in these situations.

So when I saw Holley’s challenge: Why is your dream worth pursuing, fighting for and seeing through no matter what happens? 
I was taken back to my nursery experience came back to my mind along with the sting of conviction.  I know that God has called me to share His redeeming love with women in order for them to see that there is freedom for the bondage of their past sins.  So why is my dream worth pursuing ? So why is my dream worth fighting for? So why is my dream worth seeing it through?

Because they are worth it, those women that are still listening to the lies in their heads that tells them they are not enough. 
The ones that have heard they are not pretty enough. 

The ones that have heard they are not smart enough.

The ones that have heard that they are not skinny enough.

The any that have heard they are not ________ enough.

They are all worth it to me because we are all worth it to Him.

This seed of a dream that God placed in my heart years ago is worth me pursuing after, fighting  

for and seeing through simply because He said so.  Just like I knew they instructions I gave the toddlers were their best, His instructions to me are always for my best.

What is God calling you to do that you just need to step out and do simply because He said so ?  

Amy 

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