I often wander into the bookstore when I need a boost spiritually. It’s not that I am looking so much for a good read, but maybe an encouraging nudge towards God’s truth.
I know the truths. I know how God feels about me. I know God’s promises.
But somedays, my heart needs someone else to say it through their words and right into my heart…just as a reminder…as a “Hey Sarah, just in case your heart is slipping into doubt today, God’s got all this. He’s got you.”
That’s what I love about writing and authors and books. I love how God can use a book to point to His book, the Bible. I love how God can use an author’s way of saying something a certain way to speak to my heart. I love how God can use an author’s style to move my own heart. I love how God can use an author’s voice to help me better hear God’s voice.
So I keep chipping away at this author dream of mine. It’s going to be a long haul. I have so much to learn. But a trip to the bookstore will always keep me inspired.
That brings me to YOU! What keeps you inspired in your dreaming? I wonder what your dream is today and if you might need a little nudge to keep going. I wonder if you’re in a rough patch of feeling like your dream is too big, too impossible, or too out of your league. Today I want to give you a nudge…or maybe a few…
- Tell Jesus. Just talk it out with Him. Tell Him what’s going on in your heart. Let Him have all the details.
- Keep chipping away at it. Whatever dream you’re following, what’s a little thing you can do today to chip away at it?
- PRAY. As my pastor put it over the weekend, “Prayer is our beginning point. Prayer is our middle point. Prayer is our ending point.” Praying and dreaming go hand in hand. Pray. Dream. Pray. Dream. Pray. Dream. The two almost become the same thing.
- Stay inspired. For me, it’s trips to the bookstores. When I smell the new books (I seriously smell them for some reason…do other aspiring authors do this, y’all?) it inspires me. When I stare at all the covers and titles…it inspires me. When I draw closer to Jesus after reading a book by my favorite Christian author…it inspires me. Take time to stay inspired.
- Expect a long haul. Dreams don’t come easy. Dreams are not instant like the internet or reality TV shows. Dreams are seeds sown, day in and day out, prayed over, nourished over…dreams are a long haul.
- Enjoy the journey. This one is hard because most times the journey includes hard stuff. But the more I dream, the more I learn…the process is the whole point.
God is shaping you through the process. As you follow your dreams, God is shaping your heart. He’s got much to do in your heart. I often see those big, orange construction signs on the side of the road that say, “Utility Work Ahead”. It always makes me smile because I think of God saying that to me, “Daughter, I know your dreams! We’ve just got some utility work ahead. Some shaping, some reshaping, some learning, some growing. Hang in there!”
Don’t be discouraged when your dream doesn’t happen as quick as you want it to. Know that whatever your dream is…becoming a professional ballerina, becoming a mom, becoming an author, finding Mr. Right…it’s going to take time, prayer, and lots of waiting. I wait with you today. (fist bump and hug)
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12
Hoping is good. Longing is good. Dreaming is good.
Let Jesus lead your dreaming heart.
Praying for your dreams, Sarah! God is faithful. Keep “chipping” away…. and don’t let go of those dreams.
His timing, His thoughts and ways are above ours.
Love,
Nancy
Your words are inspiring and beautiful!
Thank you so much, Misty! Thanks for reading my words!
I read this when it was first posted and printed it out because I liked it so much! I have a lot of dreams and they all seem to get mixed together at times, but reading and hearing these words make my dreams seem tangible again. Both being a dancer and a Christian require so much time and effort, and I am only now beginning to learn how to integrate the two. Thank you for your motivational words as I continue chipping away!
Marissa,
Thank you so much for letting me know this encouraged you! I can’t wait for you to have my book that deals with this subject. I wrote it not because I have all the answers but because I felt the questions…the same ones you feel. My hope is that it will help you and bless you as you keep dreaming with God. It will be sometime next year that it comes out, but until then, keep pressing into Christ…He will lead you. Thanks again for your sweet words.