Dreams --Are they mine or God's?

People talk a lot about dreams these days ... dreams for the future, dreams for great success, dreams for their kids, dreams for themselves ... God-sized dreams, small dreams, impossible dreams, selfish dreams, others focused dreams, ministry dreams, financial dreams. the list goes on and on.

Dreams are also desires and I think of Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

I always thought I had a God-sized Dream. This is a phrase I picked up from  Holley Gerth, Squee Inc. and Write it, Girl link up back in March. (ps. doesn't this make you wanna sing with Tangled... I've Got a Dream)




I have this hobby of making handmade, hand-stamped notecards. It ebbs and flows. Back when I lived in a two-bedroom trailer with four young children, there wasn't much space (or time) for crafting. I made cards here and there, enough to give them as gifts for my family, for baby showers, for teacher gifts.

Then we moved into this home on the mountain, with my red door, and I got my own little space with a large desk, some shelves, and an opportunity to work whenever I could find the time.  And for the last two years my dream has been a little stagnant. I've had no direction, no accountability, no self-discipline, no start up cost, to turn this hobby into a business.

Recently, I started wondering... Is this my dream, or God's dream for me? Has He planted this seed or is it my selfish desires? Is it about making money, or could I use this for ministry, for God's glory, to bless others?

I don't know where it's going, what I want the end result to be, but I want to find out. I want to hold my dream with an open hand.

Maybe it will just stay a hobby, maybe I will use it to bless friends and families, or missionaries. Or maybe it will become something more. But whatever happens, I pray that it will always be about bringing glory to His Name.

I'm also super excited to be a part of Holley Gerth's God-sized Dreams Team.  You can learn all about it here and join us on Tuesdays at her blog!!

just this ... "Ignoring them means ignoring a core part of your purpose. And when we do that, we feel restless and empty."

I would love to know! What are some of your dreams? Did you know they might be "God-sized"?  Share with me in the comments!!


PS... God gave me my OneWord365... during Thanksgiving, actually. I think it ties in to my dream, quite nicely... CREATE!

Why am I counting?

So, I've been struggling with the counting of the gifts lately. My focus has been way off.

Am I counting for you? (I hope not, these posts get the least amount of comments) 
to win a camera?(not sure I fancy myself much of a photographer these days) 
to give me something to blog about?(afraid so, more than I care to admit) 
or to honestly give God glory?? (oh, I so want this to be the reason) 
to remember and live in gratitude, which will result in JOY, True Joy!!

So this week, I'm skipping the daily counting and just sharing some gifts I want to remember!

351. my snuggly 4YO and her well loved bunny

352. overabundance of laundry waiting to be folded!
353. making cheesecake for the birthday girl

354. my 4YO surviving rooster chase and knock down (It was really scary and really comical)
355. shopping at Dollar Tree.. and finding stuff for Hawaiian theme!

356. celebrating my 7YO... and reminiscing about her birth!
357. flavored coffee in my Keurig
358. a coupon for $3 off a shirt at Target
359. wildlife in my back yard... TURKEY! (fun) Coyote (scary)

360. working on legos with my daughter
361. being alone
362. coming before the throne of God with sisters-in-Christ
363. getting sunburn... just sitting outside reading
364. hanging clothes on the line to dry
365. swinging with my daughter
366. the gift of flowers from my girls... even dandelions

367. a love note from my hubby while he was on a field trip with our daughter
368. a picnic lunch
369. listening to my 4YO "rock it out" in the basement with her sister's play guitar!
370. creating a $5.00, 5 minute wreath for my door

371. His artwork displayed across the sky!

372. bottle cap art

 373. MORE turkeys in the back field!

 
374. surviving a bad day
375. His mercies are NEW every morning!
376. great reminders at church
377. reading (and doing lots of underlining in) You're Already Amazing
378. undercooked brownies
379. reading Jesus Storybook Bible with my kids before bed
380. a freezer full of pig meat!!

381. reminder that I am lovely because God Loves Me!
382. unloading my camera and finding treasures taken by my kids... :)

thankful for Joy, gifts, gratitude, remembering, grace!

Amazing little girls

Amazing

I don't tell you often enough
and sometimes my actions say otherwise
But I think, NO I know,  you are Amazing!

You are Six, almost seven
and your little body is full of personality
I don't always understand you
But I know God created you
You are Amazing

Your heart is tender
You're so full of life
You've never met a stranger
and you always have a smile
You are Amazing

You are my Five year old
you get lost in the shuffle
You pull away,
then you run close
Unsure of what you want
You are Amazing

We are so much alike,
You and I!
which is why we make each other cry
One day at a time, we will figure this out
and be best of friends when you become an adult
You are Amazing

My sweet little four year old
when did you grow up?
My baby has more wisdom than me some days
You are Amazing

The last in line, you are spoiled a bit
But your sparkling eyes and full smile make it easy to do
So quick to help out, you're fun to be around
and always full of thanks to those who help you.
You are Amazing

Three little girls, God has entrusted to me
May I always see you as God sees you... and me
You are Amazing!

Today's Challenge for #betterwriter was:  Write an excerpt in verse and not prose.


I also wanted to write for my girls, to let them know that they are ALREADY AMAZING... and that's not going to change. This is part of Bloom Book Club which is beginning at the end of the month, check it out!!

and for a giveaway of a book of poetry, check out On writing, poetry and friends!