Behind the Scenes: Dream Big {& a giveaway}

I had the privilege of reading the sweet Heather’s book, Dream Big. Heather has become a real source of encouragement for me & when she told me about writing this 30 day devotional, I was so excited for her. And for me because I knew I’d be reading it!

“I was just one in a crowd of thousands. All around me eyes were glued
to the front where the speaker moved across the stage with ease and
authority. As she spoke, something in me quickened—a spark was
lit. Suddenly ideas, inspiration, and vision for the future flooded my
thoughts. In that moment I knew what God wanted me to do with my
life! My big dream was born.”

This is her opening paragraph. It resonated with me because I can remember just a short time ago when one of my dreams was born. Or should I say re-lit.I I was sitting at the Thanksgiving Eve service, listening to girl after girl stand up and say how thankful they were for their friends & their leaders at church. And just like that the flood gates opened & my heart was poked. No more like beat. Because one of those girls was my sister. The girl I want nothing more than to protect & shelter. It was time for me to stop saying I was going to do something and actually start doing it.

This devotion really forced me to stop. Stop & think about where I want my life to go. What direction I want to take. What direction I want to show these girls to take. Or at least how to choose the one that includes God.

One of my favorite parts was when she talked about being called to love the people that don’t like us. Wow. I struggle with this every single day. There are people in my life who seem to set out just to irritate me. And it’s my natural reaction to give that same type of “loving” back. But, that’s wrong. So wrong. The questions Heather asked us to answer after that specific day (17) forced me to focus on the good. Not the bad. I was able to really seek out the times when those people may have helped me, in the tiniest way, but help none the less. Just this morning I put that statement on my hubby’s daily lunch note. I also put this verse, Proverbs 25:28

“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”

Isn’t it important to remember our self-control when we are dealing with people who don’t like us? We are commanded to control our words. Our emotions. Our reactions. So on Day 17, I made the commitment to have a self-control around my enemies. To have a heart of compassion for anyone who does not support my dreams. To truly offer a love like His when my ego is bruised.

I’m not joking when I say everyone should read this devotional. Young & old. I have a pretty big idea that my GLOW girls will someday experience it.