God's Surprise!

As I glance back at the time I was sure that God had a specific direction for me, to learn sign language to help a wonderful woman to "hear" the sermon on Sunday mornings, I realize that He had something totally different in mind.

The last time that I learned a new language was in high school, and it only really mattered for the grade I would receive. This time is was very different. So I took class after class, stood in front of a mirror and practiced, finally I was ready to give it a shot. The deaf community is very patient and forgiving of "slow hands" and feeble attempts. I did what I thought God had set me on the journey to do. We then moved to a new state where my husbands job sent us and I was sure I was done with that dream.

God had another twist to His God-sized dream. I didn't have another deaf friend that needed this help but the desire to sign kept pushing me to take more classes and keep my fingers working. Then as my husband was channel surfing I saw the most wonderful thing I had ever seen, a group signing to a Christian song. The words seemed to become alive and speak directly to my heart. (even my channel surfing husband was touched). I knew then that God wasn't finished with me and He continued to make the path very clear. He put a wonderful woman and her husband in my life that worked with the deaf. God kept the gentle pushing up and we felt led, (I dragged my friend along for the moral support I lacked) to sign a song for our church. God had taken my feeble attempts to bring the words to life and touched others so they could "see" what He was saying.

So I guess in answer to Holley's question of what one thing helped me move forward was to prepare. I think that in the Bible the people that were called to God-sized dreams had a time of preparation, Paul the 3 years he spent before he gave his message, Moses, the time in the wilderness and so many others. I know that God is able to do anything with anyone, but He also prepares us to do the task he sets before us. So I guess the word would be prepare for your God-sized dream and wait for God to share his wonderful surprises with you.

Yikes! Ask for Help?

After reading Holley's request for this week I wasn't sure I wanted to continue on this journey. I am a very private person when it comes to my needs or desires. I have spent most of my life trying to make others feel happy, needed, and content. It has been a challenge to try to figure out what they would like to do or where they would like to go or what they needed. Perhaps that is why I am having such a time trying to find MY (God's) God-sized dream.

After reading Jennifer's post I realized that God did send the disciples out 2 by 2 and yes I am sure they "compared notes" and backed each other up with difficult situations. I guess I never thought about it that way. So after much procrastination I contacted a friend I admire and consider a woman after God's own heart. I have learned a great deal spending time with her and she is one of the few people I have shared ME with.

I pray that together we can hear God whisper just what His God-sized dream is for me. This seems like such a huge step off the edge of a cliff. Perhaps this is the God-sized dream, Trust.

Small Things

As I read Holley's next "assignment" to just do something small I knew this one would be a little easier. It seemed to happen even before the date to begin. In church yesterday the topic was Nehemiah an Ordinary Man. The pastor related the story of Nehemiah who was the Cup Bearer to the King. The job didn't sound like much but then if you were the one that tasted the wine and died because an enemy poisoned it there wasn't much job security. The wall around Jerusalem had been torn down for about 150 years. It wasn't like Nehemiah just heard about it but it was God's timing that it made an A Ha moment for Nehemiah when he heard it that day. He was struck with such an overwhelming sadness and despair that it was noticed by the king and of all things asked what he could do to help. Well, Nehemiah had been in prayer and God had helped him lay out the needs so with the timing being God's perfect timing Nehemiah explained what he needed and the king agreed! In 52 days the wall that had been destroyed and in disrepair for 150 years was now repaired. God-sized dream? Absolutely! In God's time? Certainly! Nehemiah super human? Not! He was open and willing to be used by an extraordinary God. A small thing on the surface but when God gets involved things swing wide and wonderful results.

My small thing is to stay ready to be used by God in the work that He is already started and join Him in the God-sized dream he is preparing for me. "Here am I Lord send me!" Isaiah 6:8

After much prayer

I am a person that responds well to a request that requires a list or something to check off and complete, so when Holley put the question to us about having a God-sized dream I immediately jumped at it. I truly wanted to have a God-sized dream. So I did alot of thinking to come up with one. Totally missing the word God-size. I prayed and stressed about it so that I could have one to share with everyone else. Nothing!

I pondered the question again surely there was one in me I just had to search harder so I could get started. I was sure I was the only one that didn't have that dream down. Pressure! Maybe I am too old to have a God-sized dream, but that would mean I should be gone from here and God still has me here for something!

Back to the drawing board. I prayed, but God seemed so silent. I would see people and wonder what is their God-sized dream. Wonder if they even considered a God-sized dream. I would go to bed with it on my mind and awaken to find that another night had passed and I still was not there.

Finally, as I awakened this morning it hit me! I had been trying to come up with my God-sized dream on my own. Not thinking or listening to the title and the beginning word GOD! I was at the heart of all the thoughts and prayers even though I was asking God to give me one. Hmmm God-size means that only God will be able to do it and I will be along for the ride. Perhaps He will use my hands, or maybe he will use my feet to travel for Him. Perhaps it will be the words He puts in my mouth to bring glory to His name, or maybe this blog will be a way to glorify the one who made me. Pressure off!! As if to confirm my new revelation I get the email that says LOTS of you are struggling and wanting to have that God-sized dream to head to! Wow not the only one! Once again that blows my  mind.

I know that if nothing else comes from this little "project" I have taken yet another timid step toward the Lord admitting that I don't want to be in control and God has better plans. I need to wait on Him and not struggle to make something happen. Thank you Lord for the freedom that is in you.

God Sized Dream

This is my first attempt at blogging. I am not sure just how to go about this but I want to move forward and do this so here goes.

I have been reading the emails from Holley Gerth and she has challenged us to share our God-sized Dreams. I have pondered this challenge for about 2 weeks. I have wondered and agonized over what in the world is MY God-sized dream. Do I dream? Have I even considered that thought that God would have me live beyond what I can accomplish myself. I know that God can do great things. As I think about it perhaps I have already been involved in a God-sized dream. God used me to sign in church and then to go on to sign songs as a special ministry. So perhaps I have had a dream and God blessed it. However, my hands have become arthritic and signing is now not a pretty thing. Hmmm could God have another "dream" for me.

The excitement of that thought makes me smile. I think of my friend who has a God-sized dream of starting a helping program for widows as she has experience 1st hand on exactly what these women need. I read the story one woman had about the bike ride and how Jesus is taking her on the ride of her life. Oh, how I long to do just that. I want to know Jesus more and more and be able to share that wonder with others. As I look at all the beautiful blogger that are taking the challenge they all seem to be young and just starting out their journey. My journey is winding down as is my body. Perhaps this is a way to share with women the things I have learned along the way. Please pray that God will reveal to me what He has for my God-sized dream



http://holleygerth.com/category/god-sized-dreams/