I'M MOVING !!!!

Months ago I thought I was going to have to move my family from Alabama to Atlanta, GA but God changed that plan (YEA!!).  However, it did get me to think about a move that I did need to make and today is finally my moving day.  The best part was I didn't have pack a thing.

Living in Harmony, the blog, is moving to www.amypboydspeaks.com.  Some of my friends have already found me there for a preview but I would love for each you join me there and as a little incentive I am running a giveaway on the new site.  Just click on over, have a look around and be sure to leave a comment at let me know what you, what you think needs to change and especially if something isn't working properly.  

LIVING IN HARMONY

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Things that Go Bump {God-Sized Dreams}

Here is Holley's challenge for this week: take this “do what you can” step for your God-sized dream…Find a way to pay it forward. You’ve been encouraged in your God-sized dreams by your sisters here the last few months. How can you spread that encouragement forward by investing in other dreamers? It can be small and simple or BIG and wild. 

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The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. 
He will take great delight in you;in his love he will no longer rebuke you, 

but will rejoice over you with singing.”  

                                                                                                 Zephaniah 3:17

The quiet of the night was suddenly awakened with terrorizing cries.  I sat straight up in my

bed.  There was a moment of confusion before I sprinted down the hallway.  Reaching the doorway of my 5 year old’s bedroom I saw him in his bed, on all fours and turning in circles like a dog chasing his tail.  Not knowing what was happening I slowly approached him and quietly called his name.  

The screaming continued.  The ‘tail chasing’ continued.  I realized that even with all the chaos he was sound asleep. This went on for about five minutes and eventually he quieted down, covered back up and was the house was peaceful once again.  What had just happened?  Maybe it was a bad dream?  Maybe it was just something he had eaten?  These were the thoughts that went through my mind.  
     
However, when I knew there was something more when this scene played out night after night for a full week.  A couple of nights we found him in other rooms of the house.  As a worried momma I called his doctor, asked other moms and searched the internet.  All resources took to the same conclusion: night terrors.  There isn’t much we could do while they are happening except ensure he did not hurt himself.  Finally, after about 6-9 months he seemingly outgrew them.  

Now at 24 he has little to no memory, besides our stories, that those almost night episodes ever happened.  So many times as we slowly take steps to follow our God-Sized dreams we might find ourselves in a tizzy. We have our eyes wide open but unable to see what God is doing behind the scene. However, just as I watched over Anthony, He always has a watchful eye on us.  He is there to protect yet even though He may not save us from the ‘terror’ itself.  No, instead He allows us to fight through to grow and eventually leave it behind.  

Today God the Father is watching over you.  He is there to  encourage you, direct you and yes, even protect you from yourself sometimes.              Rest in that fact but then move forward.

What part of your dream has you in a tizzy?  

I would love to pray for God to give you comfort and direction.

Amy 

For more posts by God-sized dreamers, click on this button

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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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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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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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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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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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Times Change {God-Sized Dream}

Holley's 'do what you can step' for our God-sized dream this week is to write a post sharing "a typical day in your life like right now? How can you see God’s hand in the middle of the “small” and ordinary too?" 

A typical day ?

Ummm

If you had asked me 8 or more years ago I could have given you an almost minute by minute schedule of all my days.  As a mother of school age kids my days started early prepping the day by packing lunches and double checking backpacks.  The evening were spent either at the football field, softball field, wrestling gym, dance studio or volleyball court.  Then after the sun had long since set my time was split between making sure one child was taking a bath, while another was doing homework and trying to get something thrown together for dinner.  This is just the week days and the weekends didn't allow for much slow down.  From sporting events to house cleaning to trying to navigate a few friendships filled my Saturday. Sunday was church and family time.  Then you mix in spend the night parties, birthdays and holiday there were many times I just felt like running away.

But I was the momma so I didn't think that would work.

Now that was before August 2011.  Major changes happened in a short time.  My husband and I became empty-nesters.  Our son moved out one weekend, our daughter the next and even our neighbors moved the next.  Talk about a change.  We went from the hustle and bustle of a four person family back to just a couple.  Mike and I have never really been alone - together.  We lived with my in-laws when we were newlyweds as we built our house.  Our son was born 6 months before we moved into the house.  So see we have always been a family not just a couple.

So my typical day has slowly been developing over the last 15 months or so.  Instead of sitting in the standing cheering their games I sit by the phone awaiting their phone calls.  I no longer look across the table to see their face but now look at their Instagram pages to see pictures.  I no longer sit on the edge of my bed with them to hear about their day but I slowly scroll through Facebook post to stay up to date.  

At first it was sad to see the younger days gone but God is teaching me so much as we all continue to process this change. I am learning that the verse, "train up a child" is so true.  God has shown me just how much louder my actions spoke/speak than my words.  He has also shown me how much peace comes when you know that your children walk with the God as they are grown.  

If you are a mom of young children I advise you to cherish the moments as they come but do not begrudge them growing up.  

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I Want It All {God-Sized Dream}

Holley's “ 'do what you can step' for our God-sized dream is to write a post sharing the desire(s) of your heart.What do you really want more of in your life? Will you dare to say it out loud?"




I say “I want more peace”
Christ said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV

I say “ I want more security”
Christ said “I am with you, declares the Lord.” Haggai 1:13 ESV




I say “ I want a close friend.”

Christ said “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24



I say “ I want more love in my life”

Christ said “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”



There are so many things that I want in my life in general and in my God-Sized Dream directly but it really just boils down to that I want… no I need more of Him.

I know that I need more of Him and I have known that for a long time now. So why do I not do the things that would draw me closer to Him.

“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want,

but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I

agree with the law, that it is good.”

Romans 7:15-16

Lord, I pray that I never forget that you are all I need.  I ask that you always remind me that you are the one that fills all my needs.  You are my my peace, my hope my security and mostly my love.

Amen

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A Letter to the God-sized Dreamers {God-Sized Dream}

Holley's God-sized dream challenge for this week is: Write a post that’s titled “A Letter to the God-sized Dreamers” and tell your God-sized dreaming sisters why we need them and their dreams–especially when it’s hard.

Hello !!!!

Hey there !!!!

Yes you my dear God-sized dreaming sister:

The woman standing at the edge for the crowd just outside the circle. 

The one who is walking around navel-gazing instead of lifting your head.  

The one that has been discouraged in the past.  

I know you are scared.  You have finally taken a few steps to recognize the dream God planted in your heart so many years ago. But now you are beginning to second guess everything.  You are asking yourself, is this really what God wants me to do ? Am I really the one He has called to this task?  Am I really....?  Then you head into all the What ifs.  What if I don't do it correctly? What if I fail? Or maybe the even scarier What if I am successful ?

I want to review the well know biblical story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea in hopes to encourage you.  The children of Israel had just left captivity and was headed to the Promised Land.  It was to be a land given to them by God that would be even more than they could have dreamed of. Soon they came to the Red Sea and realized at the same time that Pharaoh and his army were closing in behind them.  The people began screaming and Moses.  They claimed that he had just delivered them to their graves. But Moses explained to them (Exodus 14:13-14 ESV):

 ¹³ 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. ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

There are times and battles that the Lord will fight for you but then there are times that He will tell you the same thing He ended up telling Moses and the Israelites.(Exodus 14:15 ESV):

¹⁵ The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of 

Israel to go forward."  

God already had a plan to deliver them to the Promised Land as He had committed to them so therefore they just needed to continue to follow the Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire (representatives of God and His Glory).  

God also already has a plan to bring you into the Promised land of the very dream He has given you.  Yes there will be times that you are to fear not,stand firm and allow God to fight for you but at other time you are called to simply go forward.  Notice when He says to "Go Forward" He does not first tell you to fear not because you will have fear.  The fact that you do have some fear is proof that you realize you need Him.  However, you are to walk forward through that fear in order to get to the Promised Land.

Dear Sister, Today I am praying that you have the courage to keep your eyes on the Pillar before, accept that there is fear and then go on forward to soon arrive to your Promised Land.

God Speed,

Amy 

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Today, I ask you to begin to chasing after your dream. God plans to do incredible things for and through each of us and I would love for you to join with me and my dreaming sisters over at Holley's place.  

Holley Gerth describes a God-Sized dream as “a desire in your heart for more of what God has for you.”  

She believes so much in all of us reaching for those dreams that she wrote a book just to encourage all of us.  I am sure that you will want to read it over and over.  So, click on over and get your copy of You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream: Opening the Door to All God Has for You now. I promise, you’ll come back and thank me for telling you all about it.  

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Drop Your Waterpots {God-Sized Dream}

Holley's This week's "do what you can" step is: Find a God-sized dream story that inspires and share it.

She walked toward the well as a part of her daily routine.  It is the same routine as all the other women of the village yet she is not the same.  She does not come to the well in the morning or even in the evening during the cool of the day. She shuffles her feet along the long dusty road as the sun beat down on her.  She dreamed of being a part of the daily conversations with the others as they worked through their chores. She felt as if she had no hope of that. Instead of the heart lifting support of close friends, all she had were her water jugs. That even if they were empty they still weighted her down.  Maybe it was the guilt of the past or maybe the concerns of the future but whatever it was she didn't not chose to share it with others.  Besides they would not listen to her or care anyway.  As she got closer to the well, she slowly lifted her eyes to see that she was not alone as planned.  However, this was a stranger. A Jew. So she decided to continue with the task before her.  Cautiously she is preparing to draw water when Jesus says to her, "Will you give me a drink?"

This is such a familiar story I want go into the full details here but if you want to read it (or re-read it) it is found in John 4:1-42.

With just a few changes to the details her story could be re-written as my story.   Many times we stop reading the story at verse 26 when Jesus reveals Himself to her.  And if that were the end of the story that is enough but it is not the end.  Jesus had so much more planned for her. Read on in verses 34-42:

³⁴ “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. ³⁵ Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. ³⁶ Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. ³⁷ Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. ³⁸ I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

³⁹ Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. ⁴¹ And because of his words many more became believers.

⁴² They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

Jesus declares to His disciples that there are many who need to be told the truths of their lives (past, present and future) and few to tell them.  I find it so inspiring that as Jesus is sitting there explaining to His closest followers the task sat before them the newest believer is already at work. 

She was no longer shuffling her feet with her head down.

She was no longer carrying the weights (she even left her waterpots.)

She was no longer avoiding contact with other in the village.

She had been given a new life and a renewed excitement.

I have had a special love for this story for many years because it reminds me that I need only to know who He is and who I am in Him to share with other.  Because of Him I can hold my head up.  I can walk with confidence. I do not have to fear what others say/think of me. Most importantly I no longer have to carry the weight of my past, present of future.  I simply carry it and leave it at the cross.

What woman of the bible most inspires you ? Do you have a woman in your real life that has inspired you in your walk with Christ ? How are you inspiring others  ?

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Taking One Step at a Time {God-Sized Dream}

Holley's God-sized dream challenge for this week is, The most dangerous word for a God-sized dream is “someday.” How can you start implementing your God-sized dream {even in a small way} right where you are? You’ve just opened up some space in your life and you’ll need a proactive plan or that space will get claimed by something other than your God-sized dream–guaranteed. 


I normally write my God-Sized dream post on Monday's to be linked up on Tuesday with all my fellow dreamers but this week's challenge stumped me.  My dream is to speak/teach God's word to 5 or 5000 the number does not matter to me.  So you would assume the next step would be some type of speaking event but God has yet to open that door for me.  So I continue to trust in His timing.  As I explained in last weeks post, I have been allowing God to mold me and remake my dream.  I am not sure what my next step is so I chose not to move but instead to
just simply, "Be still and know He is God." Psalms 46:10.

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Less of Me. {God-Sized Dream}

Holley's God-sized dream challenge for this week is, "Decide what you will decrease in your life so your God-sized dream has more room to increase. What do you need to say “no” or “not now” or “not so much” to so your dream can thrive? Sometimes even what’s good can crowd out what’s best. Write a post choosing one thing you will decrease in your life and how you believe that will help your dream"


As I mulled over this week's prompt from Holley, I thought ofall the things that occupy my days. The things of the world that take up my time. The have to do things like jobs, housework, caring for family and friends. Then there are the want to things like hobbies,TV, Facebook, and Twitter.  Where does God and my God-Sized Dream fit in.  Do they belong under the 'have to' title of the 'want to'.  Years ago I would have told you that since worshiping, praising and following God is something I chose to do it would have to be sat aside in my want to column.  However as I have learned to depend on Him more, I realize that God can not be placed in either of my columns.  He is everything,  He is the reason I do my have to's.  He has given my the desire to follow after my want to's.  The easy answer would be to say I need to decrease the time spent on my want to list. Less post to Facebook. Cut out the minutes devoted to Twitter. Limit the number of shows watched.  Those would be the easy answers.  Those are the expected answers.  But I no longer desire to take the broad easy way.  God has called me to walk down the narrow path.  So what am I to say “no” or “not now” or “not so much” to so my dream can thrive?  After a week of reading and re-reading Holley's words I have only one answer:

"He must increase, but I must decrease." 

John 3:30

I must allow God to decrease me.  That means I have to abandon my idea of what my dream will look like.  I have to let go of my desire to make it perfect before I make it public. I have to not allow myself to become prideful as God's dream within me is manifested. These are all things that of myself I can not do.  I do not have the power to decrease.  The only way to decrease is to allow Him to increase.  To have His word, His truth, His love to take root and grow in my heart.  By spending more time studying His word He will reveal the each step I am to take to more towards the dream.

What steps can you take to allow Him to increase in your life?  How will those steps move you closer to the dream He has given you ?

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Feel the Fear but Keep Going

Holley's God-sized dream challenge for this week is, "One unwelcome view you’re sure to have on the way to your God-sized dream is when you find yourself staring fear in the face. What’s one fear you’ve encountered on the way to your God-sized dream? And what’s the truth that’s bigger than that fear?"

 

 

Last week I wrote on the prompt 'Afraid' and now this week Holley asked us to write about our fears vs God's truths. So it seems that fear is recurring for a reason.  Like maybe it is time for me to face those fears and maybe....just maybe overcome them.  I have many generalized fears like most women. 

 

You know the ones:

 

You're not good enough

You're not pretty enough

You're can't do anything right

You're a bad wife, mother, daughter, friend, and so on

 

I can't say that I have over come these type of fears but I can say that I have them much more under control than I had in the past.  In my younger years, before I knew and studied God's truth, these fears almost cost me my life. Literally !! (you can read the details in this post and this one)

 

But then I have some specific fears tied to my God Sized Dream of speaking and teaching the truths I have learned from God's word to other women that struggle to know who they are and whose the are.  The biggest fear I have is that I won't have the right words for the one that I meet that needs them the most.  That there will be one that is being held so tightly in the bondage of fear that she can't see the next day and I will be speechless.  That I will not find the adequate words, the tenderness of heart or the softest of touch for her to be able to see how much she is loved by Christ.  This fear has cause me to be question if this is really even a dream I, of all people, should be dreaming.  Is this a dream that I need to pass on to someone else and just cheer them from the sideline.  Each time I am ready to throw my hands up and quit, God uses His Word to remind me that it isn't about me.  As long as I am following His direction, it really does not matter what words come out of my mouth.  What matters is Him moving in their heart.  There are two truths that He continually brings before me as that reminder.

 

"I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him."

~ Deuteronomy 18:18

 

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

~ Isaiah 43:18-19

 

So I chose to continue on.  To walk through the doors He opens. To speak the words He gives me.  But to also remember sometime He calls me to be silent and allow His Spirit to be heard.

 

 

 

Have you been able to face your fears and move on ?  What truth did God teach you that has allowed you to continue putting one foot in front of the other to walk on towards the dream He gave you ?

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Looking Back to Move Forward

Holley's God-sized dream challenge for this week is, " think back to another time when you took positive action in your life.  What’s one thing that helped you move forward that you could apply again now and someone else could benefit from hearing too?"

I don't know why I finally made the decision.

Maybe it was because I was so tired.

Maybe it was the reflection I saw in the mirror.

Maybe it was the fight every morning to find something to wear.

Maybe it was my competitive nature after I saw what my brother had accomplished.

Or maybe it was just time for me to make a change

Whatever the reason I had finally decided that I had to get my weight under control.  

But Halloween, with Thanksgiving and Christmas in the near future, is not the time to begin looking at eating healthy. It was not the time to try to avoid sweets.  Yet I made the decision. The hardest part was taking that first real step.  

No more talking about it. 

No more planning for one day to come in the future.

No more researching different plans.

No more. 

Just making a decision to make a change and then putting that change into action.

I actually made it through the holidays well and lost some weight but like with most things success made me want more.  I decided to add exercise to my program.  

I took a large gulp of water, whispered a prayer, and opened the door to my first Zumba class.  When I was greeted by the perky, young, skinny instructor I wanted to just run the other way but I stayed.

(Thank God there was no cameras.)

I made it through that first class and I actually showed up the next day...and the next. In fact I continued to show up 3-4 days a week for a year.  More than the physically weight (60lbs) that shed, I also shed some emotional baggage.  

The success I found on my weight journey taught me the two things I had to do to reach in any dream was:

1. Make a decision and just start. -- Yes I will make some mistakes along the way.  Sometimes I may end up taking three steps backwards just move forward one.  The point is to know where the finish point is and always be focused on the point. 
2. Continue to show up each and everyday. -- The reach a goal (any goal) we have to work at it everyday.  We may not succeed (see #1) at every task every day but if we make a commitment to show up.  I heard a writer friend say, "put your butt in the seat for some time everyday".  If we keep attacking the dream one day there will be a break through.  Do let your break through day be the day you decided not to show up.

I am still not such what the final vision of my God-sized Dream will be.  I am positive that I have and will continue to fail at time along the way. However, I have made the decision to just get started with the first few steps I believe God has called me to take.  I have also made a commitment to do something everyday, some big and some little, to work towards my goal.  

What actions are you taking to work towards your dream?  Have you made the decision to just get started? Will you agree to simply show up everyday?

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Sharing the Dream

Holley's God-sized dream challenge for this week is, "find a God-sized dreams buddy in your everyday life or online. Share your God-sized dream with that person and ask for their encouragement and prayers on your journey."

"I hope it is okay that I volunteered you to make the dressing for the office Thanksgiving dinner. We need enough to feed about 25 people."  My sweet hubby said these words to me late one evening a little of a month after our wedding day.  He had not taken into consideration that I had never ever made dressing before in my 20 years of life.  I quickly called my mother-in-law to plead for her help.  She gave me a shopping list and told me to come to her house the next night and she would help me. 

WHEW!!!  What a relief. 

As I carried bags of ingredients I was really expecting her to take them and start mixing it all up then I would walk out with a finished pan of golden brown dressing.  Little did I know Nana had other plans.  She poured herself a tall glass of sweet tea, sat at the table and begin giving me directions.  I chopped, measured, mixed and baked one small pan of dressing.  She took one bite, "that's good but a little dry." She explained what I had done wrong. Again I chopped, measured, mixed and baked another small pan. "Better but needs more sage."  I was getting frustrated and very upset.  As I slumped in the chair next to her she gently placed her hand on my shoulder and assured me that I would get it. "Just try one more time."  So for the 3rd time I chopped, measured, mixed and baked.  This time she put a large spoonful on her plate and declared this pan to be perfect. 

Nana has spent the last five Thanksgivings at the banquet table in Heaven but each time I get ready to make the dressing I think of that night she spent hours teaching, instructing and encouraging me. 

I have been so bless to have different people pour love and knowledge in to various areas in my life. First is my sweet precious momma.  We had a difficult time in my teen years but through it all she taught me how to love with an unconditional love.  Then I have my best friend and ministry partner, Tricia, that is always just a phone call away to listen to all my ups and downs. Deb, another dear friend, that is just a little farther down the motherhood road than I am. She is the one that loves me with the greatest love yet she is there when needed to point out the times I am letting my emotions over run me.  These three along with a church full of other Godly ladies speak truth and light into my life in so many different ways. I also have had several professional mentors that have spent time with me to point out my strengths and weakness in the business world for my "real" job. 

Each and every one of these encourager/mentors have played a part in molding me into the person I am today. So as I looked back at Holley's challenge I realize that I have already met this challenge.  I have shared my dream with Momma, Tricia, Deb, Ladies bible study group, co-workers and here online.  Yet I feel God pushing to go a little deeper.  See all of these ladies love me, pray for me and encourage me.  They know my desire to serve God.  They know my story.  They know me.  Each one of them will do whatever they can to help make my God-sized dream of speaking/teaching God's word to become a reality.

However, there are the business aspects of ministry that many times we want to ignore. That is the area I lack direction and confidence in.  I struggle with if I am suppose to sit back and simply wait for God to open the door for speaking opportunities or if it is okay to do some marketing.  I don't have the answer to many questions on how to book events, what the best way to interact with event coordinators and many many more.  So as a next step towards my God-sized dream I am looking and praying for God to put someone in my life that not only shares this dream but has already brought it into reality.  Someone that is willing to walk along beside me as God's plan unfolds.

Do you have a Dream Team ? What types of different support strengths does your team offer you? Is the an area that you need more assistance and encouragement in ?

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God Sized Dreams -- Next Step

{I recently came across Holley Gerth’s site where she invited us to begin thinking what our God-sized dreams are. Last Tuesday, I began following her God-Sized dreams link up with this post.  So each week I will be journaling here about the dream God has given me and I would love for you to join me by sharing your dreams in the comments.}

 

I have worn glasses for as long as I can really remember but actually only since I was about 3 years old. I was born with Amblyopia or what is more commonly known as 'lazy eye'.  Basically the muscles of my left eye were not strong enough to hold the eye straight.  As I got older the doctor told us there were surgeries they could do to correct it but they were not guaranteed to work.  The other option was glasses along with a wide array of exercises. Yes, exercises for eye muscles.  The first was to wear a patch of the 'good eye' in order to work the weaker muscles in the left eye.  I can not tell you how much I hated wearing that patch.  The tape caused my skin to itch, I would get headaches and to be honest it was just ugly.  I hated wearing it. 
 

However, the second exercise was fun and I enjoyed it.  The doctor had my dad to build me a beam that sat about 6 inches off the ground and was about 6 foot long.  Every evening I was to walk across that beam back and forth at least 25 times.  He instructed me not to be like the gymnast.  I was not to hold my head high walking with my feet perpendicular but instead I was to focus on watching my feet.  I needed to continually watch each step not worrying about how far it was to the end.  The point was to use that eye muscle by forcing it to focus on a specific spot, my feet. 
 

 

Last week after writing about my God-sized dream I began think of all that would have to happen before I could declare to myself that my dream was a reality.  It was a long, long list.  I was discouraged just thinking about.  I just wanted to quit before I even got started.  But I couldn't quit. I mean not only had I put it in writing but I posted here for the whole world to read. (Or at least the few family and friends that wonder by here on occasion).   So I knew I had to at least try to follow through. I decided I could use my balance beam exercise to help me move forward. 

Here is how:

• I will not approach my dream with my head held high but instead I will always keep it bowed in prayer for guidance.
• I will not set my eyes on the end and how far I have to go but instead I will just look to the one next step.
• I will not rush to quickly that I lose my balance and fall but instead I slow move as the Lord directs me to. 
• When I do finally get to the end I will turn around and begin again.

I have taken a couple of small steps this past week. With the left foot I stepped forward to spend more time in bible study that will later become messages that I can share with women that will encourage them in their God-sized dreams. Then with the right foot I took a step to speak to a group of about 25 ladies on the subject of Joy. It is time to take a breath and bring the left foot forward again and focus on the next small step, to be consistent in posting encouraging words here on the blog, my facebook page and twitter. Then I will add the next step of working to schedule another event.

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