Today’s Prompt: 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. Ask God what you can do and get creative. Then write a post about what you’re doing and link it up below.
I have seen the way an encouraging word, a moment of Truth, and sweet friendship can light a Holy fire under a dream. I have seen the way accountability can make terrified dreamers brave enough to move forward, to take one more step, because they know they walk hand-in-hand with a sister. I have watched as friends meet over miles, across states, through screens simply to celebrate one another. I have witnessed the power of God as women unknowingly step forward and let God use their voices to preach a good and inspired Word over another dreamer.
If I were to be honest, I’d say that my God Sized Dream? And how I can pay the encouragement forward? They are they same. I want to work full-time as an encourager. I dream of my 40 hour work week being spent pouring into the lives of other women, other dreamers who take brave first steps and don’t see how incredible they are. I dream of working with a team to create products that inspire & point to Jesus; using social media and technology to build community; produce retreats – not conferences – full of worship and relationships. I want to find opportunities to raise leaders, to offer others the same chances I’ve had to find who God wants them to be. I dream of no more ladders to climb, but rather benches to meet on over coffee, where CEOs are “Chief Encouragement Officers” and achievements are celebrated not by the individual, but by all.
It’s counter-cultural, to be honest. But my heart desires to do more than use my words for myself. I want them to be a gift. Used and shaped by the Holy Spirit to light fires of God Sized Dreams in the next generation of dreamers. I want to share my testimony of God’s faithfulness and provision – and the stories of the waiting. How God has refined and sifted through the waiting, how He knows exactly how long to leave me here, knows exactly what next step I need to accomplish. God knows who needs to go before me to lay the path to my dream, and I pray that one day, I might go before someone else, to help lay the foundation of theirs.
I‘m linking up with Holley Gerth today – will you join me in reading the other God Size Dream team posts?
LOVE that 😀
Thank you so much Kim!
Love seeing dreams crossing paths with other dreamers – can’t wait to see what God has planned for you!
Yes, diet coke is allowed 😉
Oh Barbie, I needed to read those words of encouragement this morning! Thank you!
I dream of the day that I too can meet at the bench but can I have a diet coke instead of coffee ? I love reading your words each week. They are such an encouragement to me in following my dream.
Ditto to being a full-time encourager! The accountability is so critical, isn’t it? There’s just something about that knowing that others are walking with you, shoulder to shoulder, ready to pull you up, push you forward, or just sit and refresh for a while. 🙂
Know that you have refreshed and encouraged me today and throughout this journey, Crystal!
What an incredible, beautiful dream. I can’t wait to see where God takes you. I have a heart for encouragement too. I say we take the “counter” out of counter-cultural:)
This comment feels like a hug. Thank you for this – and so thankful to see the Lord work in your life as your glorify Him through your obedience. Let’s chat soon 🙂
Oh my goodness, isn’t Michele-Lyn the sweetest? I’m so glad you’ve been visiting, and even happier to see this comment! Praying for you, new friend, and your amazing dreams!
Thanks so much Julie 🙂 Looking forward to hopefully sitting down with you sometime this year for that coffee (Allume, maybe?)
Mel, I love that I can always count on seeing your smiling face around here 🙂 We’ll call this our “bench” for now and one day we’ll have that cup of coffee!
Love this, friend…you do encouragement so well. Hoping we’ll have a chance to meet on that bench for coffee someday! Blessings to you today! 🙂
Chief Encouragement Officer! I love that… and you do it soo well!!
and to meet on benches over coffee… delightful! 🙂
I love to see how God is already moving you toward this with Incourage, Dayspring and RGTHope!! Way to dream… and be brave!
I just love this!! We have similar dreams 🙂 honestly, it encourages ME right here, right now, just to read this and see your heart that is just bursting to love and serve others Jesus-style. So, thank you for that. By the way, I’ve been visiting for a bit because Michele-Lyn told me you’re pretty great…I can see why. 🙂 Keep doing what you’re doing – it’s quite apparent that the Lord is using you!!
You are so beautiful. I am certain that the Lord has a specific place for you to live this dream out–really, though you’re not getting paid for it, you’re already doing it right here–and everywhere you are online. Your heart for others is beautiful, and I know it brings the utmost glory to God. LOVE YOU, my friend.