GO:
I write in the after. When little one is settled in bed. When hubs has ventured downstairs to watch the sporting event of the season. After dinner, dishes, playtime, bedtime, that’s when I write. I write after work, after the rest have long since gone to bed and my weary mama eyes need to cross just one more item off the list.
I chase dreams in the after. In the hours left over from the rest of the obligations of the day. I find minutes here, an hour there. Early morning or late into the evening I pray God will open doors. That He would find grace to bless my work & my words when the rest of me is too exhausted to think past the next cup of coffee.
Right now? I live in the after, in the left overs and extras and desperately sought out moments to just be “me.” It’s not where God will have me forever. Someone very smart reminded me today that in those moments, where no one sees what I’m working toward, when no one knows the true deepest desires & God Sized Dreams of my heart, that’s where God can truly work His will. I stay out of it, He gets the glory, and it all happens in the after.
Want to join or just want to know what Five Minute Friday is all about? Head over toย Lisa Jo’sย blog and find out ๐ And while you’re there, be sure to visit & leave some comment love (no lurking!) for the other bloggers who linked up!ย
Great will be your reward, I can just tell it. Your diligence chasing after this dream is tilling up earth for those seeds. Your one word is growing and morphing and I’m not sure that you knew it would bring you here back in December. It’s planting time now, but the harvest will come.
Oh, I love this one. What a beautiful description of after.
Beautiful. I love your heart, Crystal. Keep on pursuing Him and His dream for you, even when it doesn’t seem to be getting you anywhere, because He WILL bless your obedience. <3
Oh isn’t it a blessing to know that He is faithful and will see us through to the end? So humbled to walk alongside such amazing dreamers like you!
It’s amazing how God has changed my view of success over the last year ๐ It’s no longer climbing the ladder, now it’s being climbed on by a giggling toddler!
You, dear Alyssa, just made me tear up. Thank you. (hug)
Oh amen! This year I have learned that where God has me now? He knows I need to be here to prepare for the next thing that He has planned, so I am TRYING to be present and learn. (ahem..but I hate the waiting…)
Mary, you are such a sweet inspiration ๐ It is only by the grace of God that any of it gets done, let alone done well!
Yay! So glad you’re back ๐ You’ve been missed!
So glad you enjoyed it ๐
Julie your kind words are just what I needed to read tonight. Thank you for such a sweet comment, and I’m so glad you stopped by!
Such a peaceful, true meditation to read today. I was just thinking, “Before I read and comment one more time I need to do the dishes. Really. Julie, you need to do the dishes. I don’t think it is an accident at all that yours is the last entry I am reading…. for now. Thank you again, Crystal. Your energy and kindness shine through each time I interact with you or read your words. Big hugs!
You’ve written my day and my feelings. It was a pleasure to read.
Yes! I write in the “after” too, I feel I am always living in the past, retelling what has already happened. Great post! I finally made it back to FMF, hopefully I can start chatting with ya’ll on Thursday nights!
This is beautiful…while I don’t have small children, I can relate to finding time to write when everything else is done. I often wonder how people do it? How do you write such quality words and still get everything else done? I admire you Crystal!!
Hugs~
Mary
Beautiful!
Ha! Any time. Sometimes things fall from my mouth and I can only say they came straight from him – like the conversation from Tuesday night. ๐
Oh how I can relate to this. It’s the part of being a momma and having great big dreams that collide. I used to chase after the big dream and miss the journey. But God!
He’s taught me that the here and now is the most important part of the journey. It is here where I gain the wisdom, strength, perseverance, grace, patience, and everything else needed. Knowing that God gives me this permission to ‘be here now’, helps me to trust that I am not behind schedule. There’s peace in that. Even when the writing is done in the ‘afters’. ๐
My friend, may God multiply all your ‘afters’ and may He use them for His glory!
“I stay out of it, He gets the glory, and it happens in the after.” True words from a hardworking mama. As a reader, I may not get to see behind the scenes, but I get to read the words produced, and they are always lovely, always real, and always point to Him. You do good work ๐
Very nicely said! Happy FMF
Hey NInja — love these words. Your last paragraph gets me. It takes me back to that time. And those moments you have now that no one sees that you are with your littles and hubby — those moments are glorifying God and changing you forever. Love this!
Yeah…love this! No longer where you are, I’m still working and writing after. But I definitely feel more like me! Bless you my dreamer friend. God planted those dreams. He’s the author and perfecter and He will do what He says He will do!
Trina! Oh goodness friend, I was so hectic with the Raising Generations Today twitter party I missed saying “congrats” – I know how thrilled you must be ๐ {hugs}
Thanks Aurie!
OH, hooray! you’re right. God does an awesome job with ‘leftovers’. thanks for this reminder. {hugs}
Praying for your big move, and that you would have answers soon. I know how hard the waiting can be!
I love this! Yes – may you continue to write, to dream, to connect with Him in the quiet!
It all does happen in the after. After we rest. In. Him.
I am always encouraged by your posts. Even more so now, as you remind me that God always has something in the works. Something after this – whatever this may be. And in His will and His timing, it’s going to be beautiful. Thank you! Blessings to you โฅ
Amen! I remember those desperately sought out moments and no, it’s not where He will have you forever- this season will seem long but after you will look back and wonder how brief it really was! Blessings, visiting from FMF!
YES!! Beautiful. It all happens in the after.
Lady, I am already so excited to see what God is going to do in your after. Because it isn’t His after. For this moment, your ‘after’ is enough and He notices what you bring to the alter.
Yes, so true Crystal! I think of these years as the seed-laying…with motherhood, writing, marriage…and that God will bless the seeds that we are laying now to grow into fruition later. Glad to be in the same boat with you sister ๐
Love this…I always love your FMF posts. Thank you for this…so much I can relate to in the things that happen after my girl is asleep and I have time to breathe and do a little writing. ๐ Looking forward to seeing how God is going to keep working out your God-Sized dream…blessings!
This is such a powerful, powerful post. It is full of imagery, and I can really see how you write in the small moments you can find outside of the rest of the obligations of the day. First off, that is so great that you stick with it when life gets in the way. And secondly, I love the last part about in those quiet, still moments where it’s just you, that’s where God works. I’m in a position where I’m waiting to hear about a big move for my husband and I, and I feel so impatient. I feel like I’m just trying to get through the day. But God is working in those small moments where I rest and am quiet and try to have “me” time. Thank you for encouraging me to remember that!