The hardest choices…

“I remember my wise mentor in college, Beth English, used to say, ‘Holley, the hardest choices in life are not between bad and good. They are between good and best.'”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

Choices, a photo by dianecordell on Flickr.

When we give to God, we want to give the best.  But sometimes that can stop us from giving at all.  I frequently have to urge myself to keep working on a prayer piece on days when my brain is fried and it’s hard for me to pray coherently.  But not working on the piece would be worse.  Give your good, but look out for how to give your best!

What you’re looking for…

“What you’re looking for here is momentum and progress. Have you ever tried to steer a parked car? It’s a tough proposition. Just get in gear and start heading down the road. The rest will work itself out as you go.”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

Super S – 2, a photo by Matthew Fang on Flickr.

It’s so easy to just keep saying, “My plan isn’t quite ready yet.  I’ll start when it is.”  But the bottom line is that the journey is not going to match the plan anyway.  Pick a direction.  Start moving.  Then worry about the details.

In all you do…

“Pray that in all you do, his purposes will prevail.”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

Mother Teresa Wallpaper Quote, a photo by FredMikeRudy on Flickr.

This is important.  It’s not about my agenda.  It’s about His purposes.

When God comes through…

“Pray with thanks when God comes through beyond all you could have imagined.”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

Reducing the risk of crop failure has created a more sustainable community, a photo by Gates Foundation on Flickr.

And pray with hope while you’re waiting for Him!

Pray for wisdom…

“Pray for wisdom when you’re not sure which way to go.”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

bible with stained glass reflection, a photo by melanerpist on Flickr.

I’d go further.  I say pray for wisdom even when I think I know which way to go.  Pray for wisdom.

Words of praise…

“Pray words of praise when things go well.”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

Praise, a photo by EL@Seattle on Flickr.

Words of praise are so important.  Just praying them can change our hearts.  If I always go to God asking for things, I don’t recognize, I don’t notice what I have.  And I have so much!

If I don’t pray words of praise when things go well, it’s so easy for me to get discouraged.  To fail to notice progress.  To give up on my dream…

The most important thing…

“The most important thing you can do for your dream? Pray, pray, and pray some more.”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

DSC_8457, a photo by caddy_corner on Flickr.

I have a tendency to think about my dream, plan for my dream, work on my dream, but to forget to pray.  Father, help us to remember to pray!

Keep pursuing the God…

“Keep going.
  Keep believing.
Keep pursuing the God who never stops pursuing you.”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

Rushing to Sing, a photo by Andrew Stawarz on Flickr.

Keep following that dream, that voice, that gives us joy and purpose!

We all have to come…

“… we all have to come to a point when we’re ready to stop simply dreaming and begin doing. In other words, “Faith without deeds is useless” (James 2: 20).”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

Leaving a Light, a photo by h.koppdelaney on Flickr.

It’s important to take the step from dreaming to commitment, to action, to putting ourselves on the line.  For me, it took someone else telling me that my dream was important.  (Thanks, pastor Tim!)  What do you need to start putting your dream into action?

At first we catch…

“At first we catch just a glimpse of our dream. It’s vague and blurry. Perhaps a conversation draws our attention or a surprisingly compelling idea pops into our minds in the shower. Slowly that outline begins to fill with more color and detail. Over time we begin to see it, really see it.”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

An Artist’s Dream, a photo by Umair Mohsin on Flickr.

I’ve been sharing some of the process of my dream as I get the outlines down.  I invite you to share some of yours, here or anywhere else you choose.  Sharing it helps it come alive!