This has been a good year, mostly, even though it’s nothing like I expected. I really thought I’d get farther on my dream to write a book and be building my freelance writing resume. I figured out family would include another child through adoption. I also hoped my blog would be bigger by now.
As I type those dreams of mine that haven’t turned out like I saw them in my own mind, I am reminded they are self-centered wishes. I outlined some dreams at the beginning of 2013. And I spent the first half of the year blogging my way through what God was doing there.
Throughout the years, I’ve been part of this God-sized Dream Team that Holley Gerth assembled. It’s affected us in ways we didn’t expect. We have a Facebook group full of prayers and hopes and dreams and disappointments. But God is there too. And he’s built relationships as we chased after the dreams God called us to pursue.
I had dreams I was pursuing. And then as I chased God with them, he called me to lay down some. And now that I’m sitting down to try and digest some of it, I believe he’s called me to pick up other ones.
The relationships. The prayers. The dreams. The writing. The family. The freelance job that came my way and lasted seven months before I knew I needed to lay it down. The book idea that is still brewing and the new book idea on my heart. The adoption process that has been confusing and hard and really isn’t even a process anymore.
God has been using every single thing to draw me to him. And, really, shouldn’t that be my dream anyway?
People all through the Bible had dreams. And when God fulfilled them in his way, he was glorified. People were changed miraculously. And God was glorified. People made hard choices. And God was glorified. People left and followed and walked and waited. And God was glorified.
During advent, my kids and I read from “The Jesus Storybook Bible” most days. One day early in December, Joseph’s story struck my heart, especially this part …
“God had a magnificent dream for Joseph’s life and even when it looked like everything had gone wrong, God would use it all to help make the dream come true. God would use everything that was happening to Joseph to do something good.”
{From “The Jesus Storybook Bible“}
My dreams, at least as I outlined them to fit in this calendar year, weren’t going to glorify God. I’m not entirely sure why. But I’m certain God has a plan.
He’s got a plan for my family, whether or not we get to adopt again. He’s got a plan for me, as wife, mom and a writer, even if it all doesn’t unfold like I scripted. And like my dear friend told me recently: I know His plans for you are good. Not just in the future but in this very moment.
I know God was working this year. And I know he’s still working as the dreams in my heart shift and change. He promises to work everything together for the good when we love him and are called to his purpose. His purpose. Not mine.
God calls us to make him known. The way that happens is unique to each person. For me, I believe in this mission God helped me word through the God-sized Dream Team: I believe God has created and called me to communicate stories from my own life and others’ lives for families to know God as the author and creator of every detail through writing, promoting and serving.
The details of these dreams change as I seek the Creator of every detail. But I’m willing to keep going. I’m ready to see where he leads my family in this new year and experience the stories he’s scripting for us because we believe he’s doing something good.
Do you want help seeking God in your dreams? My friend Holley Gerth wrote some books that do just that. “You’re Made for a God-sized Dream” has been a blessing to me this year and I want to pass along some of the goodness. So one person will win a copy of this book.
Yes, this God-sized Dream Team was created as a launch team for this book, but the message truly is one that continues to speak to my heart. And this is an extra copy of the book I had in my gift closet. I’m thankful for the way friends, both in my everyday life and here on the Internet, have encouraged me this year.
Use the Rafflecopter below for multiple ways to enter the giveaway. A winner will randomly be chosen on Saturday, Jan. 4. The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents.
{UPDATED 1.4.14} CONGRATULATIONS, Mindy! Your copy of “You’re Made for a God-sized Dream” is heading your way. Thanks, everyone, for sharing on this post.
You can read all this year’s God-sized Dreams related posts here. Today I’m joining many other dreamers at the newly launched God-sized Dreams website my dreamer friend Christine Wright created. The rest of the crew there is inspiring too.
And then I joined Jennifer Dukes Lee’s weekly #TellHisStory with this 2013 recap.
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