This week for the God sized Dream Team we are talking about what brings us JOY, especially when it come to our dream.

Easy peasy I tell you. I receive great JOY and satisfaction when I see someone accomplish their goal. When I know of the long hours, the sacrifices that were made, the times they wanted to give up and chose not to and in the end the goal was met. BOOM! What a feeling!

To see that sense of accomplishment on their face, to hear it in their voice, to know that feeling myself and have others feel the same. Well, that is just it.

I value loyalty and discipline in a person. When I see others exude that same energy and desire towards something they are working hard towards I want to get behind them 110%. Whether I have the same passion or not I want to to cheer others on in making hard choices and going after hard things.

There is so much more to life than living comfortably and a life that is easy, without risk. I want my life to be marked not by my successes but by steps of faith and the impact I had on those around me because of it.

I am motivated to help others live a life marked in the same way. When/if there is success to come we will celebrate together. But you know I will be cheering along the whole way!

 

 

God-sized Dream = A desire in your heart for more of what God has for you.
~Holley Gerth

It’s Tuesday…God-size Dreaming aloud day. You get to hear what I am thinking about this dreaming I am doing. You know the dream I shared several months ago about creating a place where I could encourage and motivate women in their fitness goals? Yep, that’s the one. That dream has started to take shape over in the (in)courage community groups where I have the privilege of co-leading an online group of women who are pursuing a healthy lifestyle. It has been exciting to walk with them on the variety of goals they are pursuing.

Also…

Late breaking news, another new twist to my dream is that I will be co-leading a Team World Vision running group at my church. We will be gathering new and old runners alike to train for a half marathon while raising money for World Vision. Hello! How cool is that? I am so very excited for this to start! If you are in Carmel and interested, let me know! Or click here to join!

Pursuing a dream can be fun, challenging, hard, scary and so exciting all at once. Maybe like God has you on an emotional roller coaster that you can’t get off of? Yes! This week we are challenged to think of what we need more of in our life and in turn probably also what we need less of in our life. 

There are several things I can think of that I need more of:

Patience: When I clean up one spill of Cheerios to then turn around and clean up another spill in the exact same spot. Twins! They do that!

Sleep: I can always use more sleep. How am I supposed to fit all this stuff in one 24 hour period?

Peanut butter: I don’t think one can ever have enough peanut butter. Always room for more.

But I don’t think these really pertain to my goal. 

Ok seriously, when it comes down to it the one thing that comes to mind is:

More focus, less busyness.

I am a busy body. I rarely sit still, my mind is always going and I am here and there and everywhere in a matter of 2 minutes. Some times this works to my advantage because I get a lot of stuff done. I am productive but at times the busyness is just for the sake of being busy. A little more focus could go a long way.

And if I dig a little deeper I see this:

more focus and less busyness can easily translate to more of HIM and less of ME

Oh yes, there it is. The nitty gritty.

Focus less on MYSELF and what I am doing and focus more on HIM and just being. 

Yes, it does always seem to come back to less of me and more of Him. With obedience comes blessing. I am trusting that keeping my eyes on Him will result in Him using me in  huge ways for His glory. Ways that I couldn’t imagine if I was on my own, going round and round in my little circles. Really all that happens is that I get dizzy.

So now it’s your turn…

What do you really want more of in your life? Will you dare to say it out loud? Hint: it probably means having less of something too {ex: more joy, less stress}.
~Holley Gerth

 

Fellow God-Sized Dreamers,

We started on this journey together, hearts pounding fast, a huge lump in our throats and sweaty armpits (ok maybe that was just me). We didn’t know each other but from the start there was a connection. We just knew something good was going to come out of this without fully knowing what we were getting into it. Kind of like that all knowing look you give your best friend from across the room. Without saying a word you just know exactly what each other is thinking. There was comfort and peace even in the foreign territory we were about to embark on.

Sigh of relief… I. Am. Not. Alone.

You have encouraged and inspired me more than my little fingers can type. I love hearing what your are pursuing, how God is working and the dreams that are being built because of YOUR faith. When I wanted to give up, to forget I ever started this whole dreaming business I would think of you all.

I am a part of a group that is dreaming beyond their every day busyness. I am a part of a group who is dreaming big things of His glory. I am a part of a group that is making things happen. I am a part of a group that is encouraging, grace filled and giants of faith.

Thank you for continuing to pursue your dreams for it has encouraged me to do the same. Let’s keep going sisters. There is much more dreaming to be done!

Humbled and grateful to be a part of this group,
aubrey

 

***Looking for book to get you going on your own dream? Or even just a wonderful reminder that God has big things planned for you? Check out Holley’s newest book that was just released! Click on the picture above. ***

 

 

{Linking up here today}

Our assignment this week for the God-sized Dream Team was to pick someone who has inspired us by reaching for their dreams. I’m am thankful to say I feel like I am surrounded by many close friends and family that are pursuing their dreams and not just living status quo. I am intentional about seeking those type of people in my life. I love the feelings of being mutually inspired and going after dreams together.

There is one person that stands out, the person who is closest to me. We are going after our dreams together and make a rather good team, if I do say so myself. Well it’s my husband of course! Brian is not one to settle in to a comfortable lifestyle and live without seeking for what’s next. He is a learner at heart which was one of the many things that attracted me most to him. Unlike me, he doesn’t wait until he has all the answers before he pursues his next steps. He figures it out himself and wisely takes steps of faith in the forward direction. What awesome qualities to have, especially in a husband!

I have been observing Brian patiently and diligently pursuing his dream. By no means has it been easy. There has been much hard work, long hours and frustration along the way. But he has not been deterred one bit. His confidence spurs me on to pursue my own dreams. He is my number one motivator through is words and more so by his actions as he practices what he preaches.

I am so thankful to do life together with this guy. I love going after our dreams together and spurring one another on!

Who inspires you to go after your dreams?