Thought vs. Truth

Have you ever noticed how quickly comparing yourself to someone else can ruin almost anything? {Tweet this} A good mood, a great idea, a new opportunity, an exciting adventure, a well-earned accomplishment, or even a God-sized dream.

As soon as we start looking around at what others have done, we start criticizing what we're doing. Certainly, looking at someone else’s success can be inspiring and motivating to reach for the stars, but that's not what I'm talking about here.

I'm talking about the comparisons that make us think we can't do something and shouldn't even try; when we look at someone else's accomplishments and pick apart our own.

When we believe the enemy’s lies.

  

In her book, You're Made for a God-sized Dream, author Holley Gerth lists five lies that keep us from dreaming.

Lie #1: “Dreaming is Selfish”

Lie #2: “I Don’t Have What It Takes”

Lie #3: “It’s Too Late”

Lie #4: “I Don’t Deserve to Dream”

Lie #5: “I Don’t Have Time”

Which ones get in your way? For me, the second and third are the ones I have to work the most on. I can too easily give up because someone else is doing what I dream of doing...as if one person's success takes away the possibility that I can succeed.

To fight the lies, I have to determine what is thought and what is truth. {Tweet this}

I'm happy to be sharing at God-Sized Dreams today. Please join me there to continue reading...Thought vs. Truth.

In Christ,

Laura

[Photo credit: Unsplash.com]

Linking up with: #glimpsesofHisbeauty, Purposeful Faith, #TeaAndWord, Trekking Thru the Week, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, #Recharge Wednesday, #porchstories, #WriterWednesday, #ChasingCommunity, #HeartEncouragement, Sitting Among Friends, Salt & Light, #GraceMoments, Faith 'n Friends, Grace & Truth, #FaithonFire, 

Letting Go of a Dream

I’ve always struggled with the book of Job. For years, I couldn’t get past the beginning where God gives Satan permission to test Job. I didn’t like that part, so that’s where I stopped reading. But, over the years, it seems God has led me to the book of Job on several occasions.

While I was thinking about God-given dreams recently, I read this verse:

So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. 

Job 42:12a NLT

I know I’ve read it before because I remember thinking, Yeah, but he lost so much before that! I got stuck in what happened to Job and couldn’t move forward. Much like we do in real life.

How often do we get stuck in the past, unable to move forward in the present?
{Tweet this}

I'm sharing at God-sized Dreams today. Please join me there to continue reading...Letting Go of a Dream.

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with: Moments of Hope, #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory, #glimpsesofHisbeauty, Coffee for Your Heart, #porchstories, Recharge Wednesday, #ChasingCommunity, #livefreeThursday, Grace Moments, #FaithonFire, Faith 'n Friends, Grace & Truth

Don’t Let Fear and Self-doubt Kill Your Dreams

I recently spoke at a women’s event, presenting a 45-minute Bible study I wrote myself. It wasn’t my first time speaking to a group of women, but you might not believe that if you saw my hands tremble and heard the nerves in my voice. Every time I speak, I forget to breathe for the first few minutes. Then, I get into a groove and I’m able to relax. Somewhat.

For years, after I began writing to encourage women in their faith journeys, I wondered if God might ever lead me to speak. I’m not sure why I felt like this was something I wanted to do because holding a microphone made me panic. (And that’s before I even tried to speak into it.)

But God has a unique way of putting a dream in your heart that terrifies you. Those dreams are not meant be accomplished alone. God designs them so that you can work on them together—with Him.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 NIV

How often do we forget that wherever He leads us, He will continue to walk with us every step of the way? {Tweet this}

I'm happy to be sharing over at God-sized Dreams today! Please join me there to continue reading... Don't Let Fear and Self-doubt Kill Your Dreams.

In Christ,
Laura

Linking up with: Moments of Hope, #glimpsesofHisbeauty, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, Recharge Wednesday, From Messes to Messages, Writer Wednesday, Porch Stories, #HeartEncouragement, Rich Faith Rising, Grace Moments, #ChasingCommunity, #FreshMarketFriday, Faith 'n Friends, Grace & Truth

New Beginnings

There’s something about a new year that makes us think about new beginnings. A fresh start. A do-over from the previous year.

This year, things will be different.

The problem is, a new year-new beginning only comes once a year. When the expectations on January 1 fall short by January 31, there are 11 more months until the next new year. According to the calendar.

Fortunately for us, God is not concerned with what our calendars say. {Tweet this} He offers new beginnings all year long. In fact, He’s working on something for you right now.

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19 NLT

Perhaps you can already see it, or have a feeling of something on the horizon. But maybe, it seems like nothing will change. That’s when we have to disregard what we feel and rely on what we know.

God has wonderful plans for you—plans for your good, not for disaster—plans to give you hope and a future.

(Jeremiah 29:11)

I'm hanging out at God-sized Dreams today. Please join me there to continue reading my article...New Beginnings.

And Happy New Year!

In Christ,
Laura

Linking up with: Moments of Hope, Purposeful Faith

After the Dream

You’ve been dreaming. You’ve been praying. You’ve been planning and following God’s lead. And finally, after the wait and the work, you experience your God-sized dream.

Now what?

It’s not a let-down, per se. It’s just that the dream has been your focus for quite a while, and now that you’ve been fortunate enough to experience it, there’s a bit of a void. Maybe you even feel a little lost and not sure what to do next. I get it—I know the feeling.

When we’ve worked toward one focus for a period of time, that’s what we’ve grown used to. It’s the goal we’ve been looking forward to—the God-sized dream that God may or may not bring to pass. When we don’t experience it, it’s still out there in the “maybe someday” category. When we do experience it, we relish in the awesome experience. And then…the question…what’s next?

What comes after the God-sized dream?

This is where I’d love to tell you I have the answer, but I don’t. In fact, I’m right there with you in wondering what’s next? But what I can share are three thoughts I’m keeping in front of me.

I'm happy to be sharing at God-sized Dreams today. I hope you'll join me there to continue reading After the Dream! 

In Christ,

Laura

[Photo credit: Unsplash.com]

Linking up with: Moments of Hope, #LifeGivingLinkup, #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart

God-sized Dreamers Are Stronger Together

Two months ago, I was invited to join the team of writers at God-sized Dreams. I was thrilled! And surprised…because only a week before, I’d been wondering about the writing team and how often new writers are added. God at work, right?

After a few days of praying and thinking about it, I gladly accepted. And then…I panicked. Self-doubt kicked in (complete with dizziness and nausea), and I felt like a fraud. How could I write about dreams when sometimes I’m not even sure what mine are anymore?!?

That’s the beautiful thing about God-sized dreams…

When I’m too weary to dream, God is still at work on His dreams for me.

I know from experience that I have seasons when God is telling me to rest. I’ve learned that it’s best to yield during these seasons because there is a purpose. It’s a time for growth and renewal in ways I might not have realized I needed. But He knows.

Please join me at God-sized Dreams to continue reading...God-sized Dreamers Are Stronger Together. 

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with: #GiveMeGrace, #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, #LifeGivingLinkup, Moments of Hope, #FreshMarketFriday

You’re Already Amazing {LifeGrowth Guide Review}

In 2013, I had the privilege of joining Holley Gerth’sGod-Sized Dream Team. Through the experience, I not only had the opportunity to meet Holley and many other encouraging, God-sized dreaming women, but it was a time of real personal growth for me.

So, when I saw that Holley had a new book, You’re Already Amazing LifeGrowth Guide, coming out (TODAY!!), I jumped at the chance to read it before the release date and tell you about it.

The You’re Already Amazing LifeGrowth Guide is an interactive guide to go with her book You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be.

In You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be, Holley encourages the reader to embrace this truth—in Christ, you are already amazing. You don’t have to be more or do more. You can just be who God made you to be.

Maybe that’s what you’re not so sure about…who God has made you to be.

Holley demonstrates how to discover this with exercises to help recognize your strengths and skills, write a LIFE statement, and then how to use that LIFE statement to pursue God’s purpose for your life.

“You’re already amazing because God made you, formed you, and lives within you. You’re amazing because you belong to him, because he has a plan for your life, because with him there’s nothing you can’t do.” –Holley Gerth, You’re Already Amazing, chapter 11

If you haven’t read You’re Already Amazing, please do. Holley has a way of offering encouragement as if you were chatting with a friend over coffee.

If you’ve read You’re Already Amazing and want to go deeper…the LifeGrowth Guide is for you.

If you’ve thought You’re Already Amazing would be a great book to go through with a friend or a study group…the LifeGrowth Guide is for you.

The You’re Already Amazing LifeGrowth Guide has six sessions:

1 - Who God Created Us to Be

2 - What’s True No Matter How We Feel

3 - Our Amazing Journey with Jesus

4 - God’s Plan for Our Relationships

5 - God’s Purpose for Our Lives

6 - How We Can Thrive for a Lifetime

Included in the guide is everything needed to do the book as a group study (suggestions for facilitators and for group members, pages for journaling, and creative ideas).

Or, if you prefer to use the guide individually, it’s like having a personal life coach. Each session has a video, which are available for free at HolleyGerth.com/amazing, or you can purchase the DVD.

You’re Already Amazing LifeGrowth Guide officially releases TODAY, March 1!

You can find more information here on the author’s website: Holley Gerth

Or here on Amazon: You’re Already Amazing LifeGrowth Guide by Holley Gerth

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with Coffee for Your Heart

God-sized Dreams Come in God’s Time

I recently had an opportunity to experience part of my God-sized dream—the part that I had only hesitantly mentioned to a few people and barely put into writing. (I even had to look back through past blog posts to find if and when I had mentioned it.)

The part I was afraid to put out there for others to see? Speaking to a group of women.

It’s hard to admit to a dream when you know it’s far outside your comfort zone and there are so many others who are more qualified than you.

But that’s the thing about God-sized dreams…they are dreams He places in our hearts, meant for a time He decides on.

I'm so pleased to be guest posting at God-sized Dreams today! Please join me there to continue reading...God-sized Dreams Come in God's Time.

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with Coffee for Your Heart, #TellHisStory, #RaRaLinkup, Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday

Every Part Rejoices

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  

1 Corinthians 12:26 NIV

I was in a meeting yesterday where 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 was read and discussed. The passage talks about the body of Christ, made up of many members, each with different gifts, talents, and roles to play within the body.

While the conversation centered around the entire passage, focusing on being there for one another through suffering, my thoughts zeroed in on the second half of 1 Corinthians 12:26…

…if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Friends, we—you and I—make up the body of Christ. Each of us have different gifts and talents to offer…which lead us to different places on this journey in faith we’re on. Places that often lead us to comparison, competition, and jealously of others.

Ouch. I hate to admit that sometimes jealously is my first reaction when someone I know is honored, long before rejoicing.

Maybe you can relate—

when a co-worker gets the promotion…

when fellow blogger’s post goes viral…

when someone else is asked to speak at a conference…

when the sales of another author’s book take off

—and your congratulations is a little more forced than you let on.

…if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 

Last year, I ran a series of posts by guest contributors titled, “Comparing Ourselves to Others…and what it does to us.” Based on the comments and feedback on that series, I know I’m not alone in this struggle. After all, we’re human, with human emotions and dreams…and sometimes watching someone else’s dream come to fruition stings.

Because somewhere along the way, we’ve reasoned that one person’s success takes away our opportunity for success.

It sounds kind of silly, doesn’t it? There is not a shortage of work to be done in God’s Kingdom, and yet we convince ourselves it’s a competition, with the notion that if she gets there first, there is no room for me.

The enemy must love this because once we’ve opened the door to comparison, he doesn’t even have to force his way in. It’s an open invitation for him to shout the lies of how we aren’t good enough.

…if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

God has given us different skills and abilities as He chooses. He directs the path and the time for which our gifts can serve others.

But...I wonder how often our jealously and frustration cause us to quit before our time comes.

Think about it for a moment. Have you ever been to that edge of discouragement and you decide to just give it up? What if your time of being honored was just around the corner? And you missed it.

It gives me a sick feeling to think I missed something God was leading me to because I let jealously get in the way.   

So, what if we don’t let that happen? What if we put our emotions and ambitions aside, and stand united against the enemy?

Instead, we’ll stand united for God’s Kingdom work, no matter what our individual roles may be.

That means when one part of the body of Christ is honored, every part rejoices with it.

And, friends, I’m rejoicing with you today.

In Christ,

Laura

Photo credit: Stock photo: Jump for Joy

Linking up with #TellHisStory, #RaRaLinkup, Testimony Tuesday, Mondays @ Soul Survival, Playdates with God, Coffee for Your Heart, Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Blessing Counters, Faith Filled Friday, Sunday Stillness, The Weekend Brew, Three Word Wednesday

The God-sized Dream of Living Life for Him

It’s been over a year since I had the privilege of being on Holley Gerth’s God-sized Dream Team, where I met a group of wonderful dreamers. Many became friends and their big dreams inspire me to dream.

But, I have to confess…sometimes I still struggle with what my dreams are. I should know, right? But, I don’t.

What I thought were big dreams, God told me to lay down. So, I have…or at least I think I have. Sometimes I just feel lazy for not giving them much thought anymore.

But lately there’s a thought taking hold inside of me…a seed of understanding that’s beginning to take root…

Perhaps living my life in a God-pleasing way is, in and of itself, a God-sized dream.  (<==Tweet this.)

Maybe that sounds too ordinary, and not like a big dream at all. But think about it…Everyday life. Is. Hard. And some most days, I don’t do such a great job of living the way I know God wants me too.

Last year, I described a God-sized dream as a dream God plants in our hearts…one that seems impossible—and would be…if it were left up to us to fulfill.

Over the years as my faith has grown, so has my desire to live a life that pleases Him. But, let’s face it. That is a daunting challenge.

I'm so pleased to be guest posting at God-sized Dreams today! Please join me there to continue reading.

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with Unforced Rhythms, Give Me Grace, Sharing His Beauty, The Weekend Brew, Recommendation Saturday, Winsome Wednesday, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Blessing Counters

Letting Go

Welcome! If you are reading The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs with us, we are in Chapter 2 “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.”

I’ve still been thinking about something I wrote last week, while looking at Elizabeth and Zechariah…“At some point, they must have decided that a child was not in God’s plans for them.” And I’ve been wondering…

When is it time to lay down a dream, and does laying it down mean I’m putting a time limit on God?

Maybe the difference is whether or not we take it into our own hands and try to make it happen any way we can.

For Elizabeth and Zechariah, they could have decided that since they were getting older, and Elizabeth was unable to conceive, Zechariah should have a child with another woman. But they didn’t.

Scripture tells us they were faithful and God saw them as righteous, so they must have laid down the dream for a child, and depended on God to get them through the disappointment.

I don’t think laying a dream down means giving up on God, but instead, forgoing our plans and desires for what God has planned. Even when we don’t know what that is.

There will be disappointment and sadness with accepting that we may not ever have something we desire so badly (a child, a spouse, healing, the perfect career, etc.), but letting it go allows for time to grieve and the ability to move on.

It releases us from the worry, obsessing, and trying to figure out how to make it happen. We let go and let God be in control.

Elizabeth and Zechariah didn’t know when they let their dream go what God had planned. Maybe for Zechariah to be the chosen priest from his order to enter the sanctuary and burn incense was another dream of theirs. And that day, they saw their dream come true. 

They never turned away from God, but in faith, they kept hoping in expectation of what He would do.

And there was no way they could have imagined that on that same day, God would resurrect a dream they had given back to Him—their dream for a child.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. 

Ephesians 3:20 The Message

How about you? Is there a dream you’ve let go, in hope and anticipation of what God has planned—even when you have no idea of what that might be?

In Christ,

Laura 

Photo credit: Stock photo: Daydreaming

Linking up with WholeHearted Wednesdays, Faith Filled Friday, Spiritual Sundays, The Weekend Brew, Hear It on Sunday, Use It on Monday

Vi Bella…Beautiful Life

Vi Bella means “beautiful life”. We chose the name because it is our aim to help women live the beautiful life that God intends for them. ~ Vi Bella 

Five months ago, I was introduced to Vi Bella at the Jumping Tandem Retreat. Although I live in the same state as this Iowa-based non-profit, I was completely unaware of Vi Bella’s history, mission, and the beautiful jewelry created by their artisans.

Since then, I’ve grown to love their mission of “Women Helping Women.”

Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.”

I believe that’s Vi Bella.

By providing women in Haiti, Mexico, and the United States with jobs and skills, they aren’t just taken care of for a day, but for a lifetime. In areas where there were no jobs for women to earn even enough to feed their children, they now have opportunities to provide for their families.

Women who needed a second chance in life have been given a new outlook on their future.

Through the love of Christ, Vi Bella offers encouragement and opportunities, and, in turn, women who had no hope, now stand taller with dignity and a sense of purpose.

Isn’t that something we all want and need?

Vi Bella continues to grow, adding to their jewelry line, purses (teaching women to sew), accessories, lanyards, and t-shirts. And as Vi Bella grows, so does the number of jobs and opportunities for women in these challenging areas.

I’m so excited about Vi Bella’s fall line and to be having an online party!

Beginning today, September 23 – Sunday, October 6…

If you enter Discount Code: OLR3 in the Discount Code box on the online order form, and click “Apply,” you will save $3.00 on your total Vi Bella order! (See example below.)

Cool, right!?!

Will you join me in supporting and celebrating the beautiful life God intends for each of us?

Click here to get started! www.vibellajewelry.com

In Christ,

Laura  

Linking up with The Weekend Brew, Sharing His Beauty, Soli Deo Gloria, WholeHearted Wednesday, Winsome Wednesday, #TellHisStory.

Order Form Example:

Your Cart

ITEM	QTY	PRICE	SUBTOTAL

        $16.95                 $16.95

Discount Code:

  OLR3      Apply                 SubTotal: $16.95Top of Form

Discount: ($3.00)

  TOTAL:  $13.95

God Can Do Anything {Ephesians 3:20}

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Ephesians 3:20
(The Message)

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with Jumping Tandem - The Sunday Community, The Weekend Brew, and Spiritual Sundays.

A Couch Rebels Opportunity

Sometimes an opportunity presents itself that you just can’t stop thinking about. That was the case when I heard through fellow God-sized Dream Team members that CausePub (short for Cause-Pub’lishing) was looking for personal stories for their upcoming book Couch Rebels.

The intent behind the Couch Rebels book project is to benefit Blood:Water Mission. 

Founded in 2005 by the multi-platinum GRAMMY Award-winning band, Jars of Clay, Blood:Water Mission empowers communities to work together against HIV/AIDS and the water crisis in Africa. (For more info, click here: CausePub – The Cause)

I continued to think about the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than my little world and decided to submit a personal story I posted on my blog last year—Trusting God…With Me.

I’m excited to say my story has made the first cut and is now posted on the CausePub Web site for the public to vote on. J

Whether you read my post last year, or this is your first time hearing about it, would you please consider visiting my page at CausePub to vote? (Voting is done through Facebook or Twitter, and is open through July 27.) Stories chosen to be included in the book will be based on the editors’ choices and the number of votes received.

CausePub – Trusting God…With Me

Thank you for visiting me here and for your support and encouragement!

In Christ,

Laura 

Give-away Winner

Thank you to everyone who left a comment on my post, My Dream Journey and a Give-away. After my daughter and I wrote each name on a slip of paper, she blindly chose one from the bowl.

Congratulations to Angie (@GodsWordisTruth) for winning the copy of You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream by Holley Gerth!

In Christ,

Laura 

My Dream Journey and a Give-away

Over the past months, Holley Gerth’s God-sized dream team has been getting together to support and encourage each other. Our time together is winding down and this week is our last link-up. But our God-sized dream journeys will continue. This week’s prompt from Holley is…

We’ve been walking the path of God-sized dreams together for a few months now. Will you share an update with us about your dream? Let us know where you are with it–the happy and the hard. Tell us how we can pray for you and your dream too.

I began this journey a little unsure of what my dream was. I had always wanted to write, and I was already doing that…I really didn’t know what else to dream.

As the team began, Holley coached us through identifying our skills and strengths, and how we dreamed of using them. I had never thought of myself as an encourager, but all of a sudden, that thought was taking hold through comments I received in person and on blog posts.

It was then I started to realize God was showing me a new dream—one He was already planting in my heart.

I want women to know and experience a personal relationship with Christ. And I want to cheer them on in their journey, by expressing hope and encouragement through caring, sensitive, and honest words.

What all this will encompass, I don’t know for sure, but I feel like maybe He’s leading me in these directions…

-to continue writing—on my blog and in guest posts, and possibly that will lead to freelance writing.

-to encourage women to be in God’s word by hosting online Bible studies.

-to grow my leadership skills, and maybe one day speak to women and groups.

-to write a book sharing my journey in faith.

Do these scare me? Yes. Some more than others.

But, if God is leading, then I know He’ll go before me and prepare the way. And as the enemy attacks, I’ll keep reminding myself that Satan works hard to keep us away from God’s will.

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT

Prayers for self-discipline and obedience to follow God’s lead and for strength to withstand the enemy’s attacks would be appreciated.

How can I pray for you today?

**To celebrate our journey together in God-sized dreaming, I’m giving away a copy of Holley Gerth’s You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream. To enter, leave a comment on this post. I’ll randomly select a winner on Wednesday, June 5.**

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with Holley Gerth, WholeHearted Home, Winsome Wednesday, #TellHisStory, Thought Provoking Thursday, and Faith Filled Friday

The Risk in Dreaming

Every week, Holley Gerth’s God-sized Dream Team gets together online to support and encourage each other. We invite you to join us. Click on the link to Holley’s blog, and scroll down to find more God-sized dreamers.

This week’s question:

What part of your dream feels the riskiest?

It’s not the dream itself that is risky.

Dream – a cherished hope; ambition; aspiration (Dictionary.com)

What’s risky is acting on it.

As soon as we step out of our comfort zones to work toward those dreams…that’s where the risk is.

Risk – exposure to the chance of injury or loss (Dictionary.com)

We risk people not understanding our dreams and criticizing them. We risk failure, either from it not working out like we hoped, or from lack of follow-thru. We risk rolled eyes and “whatevers” from those who don’t believe in God-sized dreams.

We risk putting ourselves out there…for all to see.

It’s personal. And when it’s personal, it’s risky.

When it’s personal, we can get hurt.

Leaving where we’re comfortable and putting ourselves out there…our thoughts, opinions, and work, for the world to see—and react to—that’s risky.

When the reaction is positive, we feel good. But a negative reaction can be a crushing blow, especially if it feels like a personal attack.

The alternative is to dream, but do nothing about it. No move forward means no rejection. No stepping out in faith means staying comfortable.

But…

Doing nothing means we risk missing out on all God has planned for us.

God doesn’t grow a dream in our hearts so we can fail…but at the same time, it’s not so we can succeed on our own either.

We might make it happen on our own, but chances are we’ll still miss out on something in the process. You see, God has plans we know nothing about.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

When we rush ahead, we leave Him out of the dream, and we miss the journey He has planned.

That’s a risk I don’t want to take. Do you?

I planned this dream for you and I to experience together. Let me go before you and walk beside you.
~ God

Suddenly, stepping out in faith towards my dreams doesn’t seem so scary. In fact, it feels exciting.

And the fear of putting myself out there for the world to react to? I’ll keep taking that risk. In fact, right now…as I click “Publish” sending this out into the online world.

In Christ,

Laura

Image by (c) Royalty-Free/Corbis
Linking up with Holley Gerth, Soli Deo Gloria, #TellHisStory, WholeHearted Home, Winsome Wednesday, Coming Alive Ministries, Thought Provoking Thursdays, and Faith Filled Friday.