Today’s prompt from Holley Gerth: We’ve been walking the path of God-sized dreams together for a few months now. Will you share an update with us about your dream? Let us know where you are with it–the happy and the hard. Tell us how we can pray for you and your dream too.
When this journey started in January, there was no possible way I could have ever known what God was going to do in my life. Here’s what I wrote when I first introduced you to my God Sized Dream:
I believe God has created and called me to encourage women – especially mamas – through writing and speaking.
God is faithful. He has answered so many prayers of my heart over the last 6 months, in ways too wonderful to count – including some I know I’ll never see on this side of heaven. My dream hasn’t changed. God has pressed it more firmly on my heart and has brought women into my life who cheer me on – because they believe it too. Here’s a quick recap of the things God has done with my dream:
- Community Leader Coordinator for (in)courager Community Groups
- Raising Generations Today Conference team member
- Allume contributing writer
- Encouraged women as part of the (in)courage (in)RL conference – in the videos & on social media
- Invitation to speak later this year, and possibly in 2015
- Invited to be part of another contributor site (not yet announced)
- Blog posts on (in)courage
- Submitted a guest post to Proverbs 31 Ministries
- Discovered a love for proof-reading/editing
- Began a Virtual Assistant business to help other women pursue their dreams
See that last one? If you take a little peek at my blog header there is a new tab titled “Virtual Assistant Services.” This is possibly the most unexpected part of pursuing my God Sized Dreams – the opportunity to share my skills & talents with other women so they can focus on doing the dream work. I can’t wait to see where God takes this. I’d be honored if you would take a look at the page, maybe share it with a friend?
It hasn’t all been answered prayers and easy roads. God has called me to a season of waiting with so many of these things. The dream job remains elusive and unavailable. The guest posts I’ve submitted might be rejected. The speaking engagements are tentative, at best. I’ve done two small VA jobs and loved every second of them…but it’s not enough to make it a full-time job.
This God Sized Dream road? It’s a process. To quote my amazing friend Stacey Thacker: “I hate process.” But I’ve also learned some amazing things along the way. I’m not sure I was ready for any of these answers to prayer in January. I would have given credit to myself & my hard work, and not given the glory to God. And maybe that’s where I still am with the other big parts of my dream. To quote a text from Lisa-Jo Baker, who has become one of my mentors, friends, and inspirations, “God must be training you up for something great.” That’s what it comes down to, isn’t it? We would never attempt to try out for a sports team without training first. Even my failed attempt at running a 5K came after a season of training.
- There are some parts of my dream that God has allowed me to pursue because He believes I’m ready.
- There are other parts of my dream that God has brought into my life unexpectedly, because He believes – even when I don’t – that I’m ready.
- There are parts of my dream that I’ve not been given the green light to chase because God knows there is still training to be done.
My One-Word for 2013 has been “commit.” I remain committed to faithfully pursuing these dreams God has put on my heart. I commit to the training, the steps, the process, because I would rather have to wait and succeed on God’s timeline than rush and fail on my own agenda.
Keep chasing your dreams, sisters. God is for you, and so am I. Thank you for cheering me on, for following this journey with me. I am braver, stronger, more confident, and more focused because of each of you.
I’m linking up with Holley Gerth today – will you join me in reading the other God Size Dream team posts?
Congratulations!!! I am so excited to read your list on how many open doors are there. I know that is such sweet confirmation from the Lord that your dream is not from just you – but on track with His will for your life. Exciting!
Ditto that!
So exciting to see how your life has changed in the past six months, Crystal. Kudos on everything!
So, you, too, are going to be a contributor on another site, not yet announced? Me too! Squeeee and internet high fives!
What you wrote here is especially nifty: There are other parts of my dream that God has brought into my life unexpectedly, because He believes – even when I don’t – that I’m ready.
I think these are the scariest and the most fun moments. My response is less fearful than it used to be. Sometimes I even manage a humorous nod to God’s ways. 🙂
” I commit to the training, the steps, the process, because I would rather have to wait and succeed on God’s timeline than rush and fail on my own agenda. ” This bit Crystal, isn’t it so much about that!! What an amazing journey, walk on.
It’s so wonderful to see your heart so open to God’s plans for you and to see all of the progress you’ve made! I am right there with you on this one: “I remain committed to faithfully pursuing these dreams God has put on my heart. I commit to the training, the steps, the process, because I would rather have to wait and succeed on God’s timeline than rush and fail on my own agenda.” I can’t wait to see where God leads you in the coming future. 🙂
Praising God for the amazing grace He’s showered on you and the the incredible way in which He’s shining through you! You’ve summarized this all so well-the journey, the readiness, all of it.
LOVE that idea! 🙂
I have been so encouraged just watching God doing some incredible things in and through you from afar. . I have been so blessed that God allowed our paths cross. I can’t wait to see all the ways He’s uses you in the days to come ! Thank you for the sweet encouragement you’ve been to me.
Crystal, it has been so amazing to see all of the wonderful things God has been doing in your life. I hope your dreams continue to come true!
xoxo
Great encouragement! I was needing some inspiration for writing my own post and I think I have it now! 🙂
I hate process too, but am realizing I would rather be ready than not be…even if it takes a really LONG time! What an incredible journey this has been, I’ve been so blessed and changed by it. Good luck on the many things God has planned for you, if He brings them to you, He will walk you through them!
Amen! And I’m so honored to be able to get to know you better through so many new & exciting communities…I wonder if Holley has any idea what she started when she brought these 99 women together last winter?
thank you!
Mary, I think you have prayed me through more of the bumpy roads of these dreams than either of us will ever know on this side of heaven. Love you, friend.
Ok this one made me cry…thank you for this, Kristin…thank you 🙂
it’s not easy, is it Bev? But I know the blessings will be worth the wait!
we are going to need to make God Sized Dream Team shirts or something for Allume so we can identify one another 😉
Love this … and you! And the way the GSD team has now woven you into so many parts of my life. Of all the gifts being on this team has brought, the relationships have been the sweetest!!
Just beautiful! Friend, I agree with Lisa-Jo, and I can’t WAIT to see all that God has in store for you. Celebrating with you!!
I LOVED reading this Crystal! I am in awe of how God has used you and blessed you…so glad that I have had a view from the sidelines to see this unfold.
I know God must be looking at your life and saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” You are such an encouragement!
Crystal,
I love the line, ” I would rather have to wait and succeed on God’s timeline than rush and fail on my own agenda.” I share very similar dreams as you, but am trying to enjoy and learn from the process and the training! Thanks for sharing candidly…
Blessings,
Bev
WowWEE!!! God is doing some incredible things in and through you, my friend. I’m so thankful that our paths crossed, and I can’t wait to watch all the ways He’s going to use you! Thank you for the blessing you’ve been to me these past months…I can’t wait to meet you at Allume and tell you that in person. 🙂 Hugs, friend!