Fact #1: The majority of people who know me, don't know I write.
Fact #2: Of the followers on those mini-squares to your right, I actually know (in real-life) seven of the people listed. This, of course, is attributed to Fact #1.
Fact #3: Sometimes dreams prove tough to live.
Fact #4: God gives us dreams, and He is the one who grows our dreams. I write and pray and blog and hypothesize and rethink things until my head spins, but God grows the dreams He plants within me.
Fact #5: My dream involves a message. My dream? Encourage families to see God-sized opportunities to give in the everyday.
Fact #6: Fear of failure stunts growth. As I read words from her and him and her and her, I know I’m not alone in creating and dreaming, and I know my dreams (and yours) deserve a fight.
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
What brave dreams are you pushing yourself to live?
*Linking up with Jen and crew today. Click over to check us out!
24 comments:
Your fact #1 is my fact #1. But I have been working on being more open about my writing. I think it will open more opportunities. But also,I want to be authentic. I thought to myself, how can writing suck up so much of your brain space, yet no one around you knows. That's kind of weird :)
Esther,
Agreed. I recently came to the conclusion that I will push myself to tell more people about my writing. I mean I love tennis, and I tell people that all the time. With writing it's different. You make yourself much more vulnerable. I'm not good with that.
Plus, you are right about the brain space (and time!). How can I not share that?
I started to tell people in real life that I write after my blog was "outed" on facebook. But then I immediately downplayed it, as in, "yeah, I have this little blog. I just post some pictures and talk about my day and stuff like that. No big deal. Really not even worth looking at."
That was my fear of rejection speaking....because in actuality, I care a whole lot about my writing. I spend time on it. I WANT people to read it (otherwise I would stick to writing in journals). I put myself (and my writing) down first, so that if someone else does it, I can tell myself that it doesn't hurt that much. Ouch!
I have a some very specific dreams for me and for my family. (the me that is being courageous this year is going to type one word of the dreams for me in this box even though I try to never ever say it or type it to other people....college. Whew. That was scary!) Over the last few days, I have seen God take those dreams and turn them in directions that I never expected....and then see beauty and possibilities and peace in them that I had never felt before. It is a beautiful thing to
Hmmm...definitely pondering. I've been sharing my writing in a more "public" manner lately. Actually, my husband has been publishing my blog entries in his "From the Pastor" column of our church newsletter. I'm always a little taken aback when I open up the newsletter and see my words, and know that the whole congregation will see them as well. It's cool to see God work through it though.
Also, one of my favorite scripture verses is similar to the Joshua passage but found in Deuteronomy (6:36 I think). Be strong and courageous for the Lord your God goes with you. He will not fail your or forsake you.
I was clicking on the "her" and "him" and "her" and I was nodding my head in agreement (especially at Chatting at the Sky when she talks about the calling being a message that she will proclaim in any forum where people are listening) and I was thinking, wow -- what power in their words. And then I clicked on the last "her" and I started crying because it was me. Perhaps I'm still a little emotional about the whole she speaks contest that I didn't win, but I'm thinking that God is just encouraging me through you that our dreams and callings don't become a reality because of publicity or winning or blog traffic. They become a reality because of His power and our sacrifice to lay it all down. Can I tell you how much I love journeying in this with you? You are precious and wonderful.
Amy, I've lived some of my dreams and I'm praying for others. My biggest dream, though, is just to be faithful to what He wants of me, without regard for the outcome.
You keep dreaming and writing and working, Amy, and keep your hand in His.
I just joined FB last week...and now all of my friends, even ones back in the day from high school know I write on my blog. Fear of rejection is big, but fear of not being who I really am - a proud child of God is bigger. I get you in this post...and remember too that Jesus spoke God's word and loves us because God loves us.
Most people I know IRL either don't know I write or know and don't ask. I do have a few that do ask and it is amazing to me...and I love them dearly for it. However it took me a long time to share it with them....and it still makes me wary when someone discovers my blog.... for fear they are going to reject me. But my love of the writing keeps bring me back and my knowledge that my words speak of Him help me keep moving.
Keep dreaming Amy! Big dreams are the best :) And He is dreaming big with you.
this is crazy A - I just went back to Joshua yesterday..trying to remember how that verse came to me...again but anyway. God is just all over the place.
I think what I am struggling the most about dreams is that God does give them to everyone. It is in the believing that I get stuck..putting the feet to it. It can seem fairytalish..is that a word. Anyway - loving your post and YOU keep choosing trust and putting feet to your dream. I will believe for and with you.
xo
Oh yes, I'm there with #1, too. But it is changing. My husband keeps telling people! Which is really sweet, and good for me because it forces me to be unafraid. Also, it makes me incredibly accountable. I'm shocked when I'm at the play ground and someone I know in "real life," someone without a blog, says, "I've been reading your blog." Akkk! But I try to look at it as an opportunity and yes, the realization of a dream. After all, I started the blog to reach people, right? Don't be afraid!
By the way, Amy, I consider you a huge inspiration. You would be one of the "hers" I would link to in a post like this.
Trying to be brave with you, Amy. It took me a couple of months before I told even my husband I had a blog. And, though I am often tempted to just delete the whole thing, there's nothing quite like hearing that my words have encouraged or inspired one of those faces in those little squares.
seems like everyone's post this week covers faith or fear! i just realized (duh) that we can't have both. hm.
I think this is why it's important to have people in your life that believe for you when you're afraid to. I can see your dreams coming true, but I can completely relate to the fear, too. I think doubt is a normal part of the process. The most important part is to keep going through the doubt. Keep going, A! You've come so far in such a little bit of time.
Hmmm, I secretly outed myself on FB. Most people I know IRL are aware I have a blog and when I talk about it sometimes all I hear is "oh. yeah. I can't be bothered to read all the stuff on the interenet."
That's why I blog. I can't say if I'm hoping to inspire anyone, but I really felt the need to make my journaling a little more public. Maybe because I don't really share myself with others around me. They get the abridged version.
But you guys....you get it all!
Did you know there is also a fear of success?!
Stopping by from Soli Deo Gloria and I'm so glad I did, Amy! I admire your faith and look forward to learning more about you and what God is teaching you. Your writing really resonates with us...the amazing comments let on your post are testament to that! Sweet blessings to you on your journey...
Cindy :)
i have been thinking of these exact same things so much lately. why is it so easy to see the dreams in others, and encourage them with so much passion and faith, and yet, it's so hard to see it in ourselves? that's what i struggle with. read through all the comments and lots of good stuff i agree with....
-fear of success is a real thing
-easier to put down our own stuff before someone else does
-the opinion of others matters more than we probably want it to (or it should)
glad to know i'm not the only one going through these struggles. the only thing i know is that the closer i feel and get to God, the less these "fears" and "opinions of others" matter. i'm certainly not where i want to be b/c those fears and opinions DO matter (unfortunately!), but i know that's the direction i desperately want to go to.....where He is my only audience and I'm living whatever dreams He put in me for Him and Him alone. don't know if that makes sense, but it's where i want to be...
love you. and love your dreams. and i love that you are brave....at least to me you are very, very brave :)
Oh, Amen!
I will say allowing my blog to be linked on FB was the hardest think I did. Because then those who KNOW me, would see that I "write". And I know without a doubt that they were the hardest ones to let into that world, because I feared them to be the harshest critics of anything I would say.
And in hindsight... I was wrong... they are some great cheerleaders.
Great post today!
I love your dream! I hope to help you get there...it's amazing to journey together sister:)
LLLLOOOOOONNNNGGGG p.s. realizing others sharing about who knows we write and our blogs, etc...I have networked blogs run into my fb feed...I don't get a lot of response but am always blessed when I do:) I'm learning about the ministry of writing and doing it for Him and let Him take the results wherever He wants them to go...There are always the naysayers and that's fine...all we can do is listen to Him and follow. The truth has come across through people I respect highly how our most courageous faith steps are often our most solitary or lonely. The journey tests our motivation and He loves us enough to purify us as He sends us out. Again, looking forward to walking this journey with you!
Oh my! This is the greatest post!!! I LOVE IT!!! Your words echoed in my heart!!!! God will truly grow those dreams!!! I can see it!!! Feel it!!!
Love this post Amy. You have such a sweet community here. I wish writing didn't feel so personal at times. When I hit publish I often feel like a flushed face little girl who forgot her next line to the play. Just standing there, feeling all vulnerable. Luckily, that's when Christ comes in and nudges me to keep going. Thanks for sharing your heart. :)
Thank you for sharing where you are with your dreams and the struggle it can be to truly "live it".
Love your voices.
Wow, really? You are such a good writer! I read every single one of your posts. A great writer and encourager and spurrer. (Yes, I just made up a word... but it's fitting for you.)
I think it's the easiest to be the most insecure about what we hold dearest.
I also wanted to thank you for what you wrote on my post a little while back (losing...). I tried to email respond to you, but you must not have your blogger set up with a respond-to email. It's kind-of awkward responding to something you said on an unrelated post on the other person's blog, but... what the heck.
Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for sharing and being vulnerable. My hear hurts for you, and others who have drank from that same cup. Thank God there is Grace there to rescue us and hold us and draw us into His strong grip. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.
I've come out of the closet as a writer. I may not be the best writer but I love doing it! I just posted a piece called "Magic Fingers" about a dream that I had about writing. I enjoy reinventing myself and look forward to seeing if my "dream" is a "calling". Very much enjoyed the links to the other sites, thank Amy!
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