Awwwwwww – don’t you just love that photo of me and my younger brother? I feel this photo captures my heart and nature to the core. I love to give a hand to others. I love to show that I love you and care about you. I love being your #1 cheerleader. Yet after  years of being burned by people and hurt by people I started to close myself off and become more Ms. Independent and less God dependent.
I’m pretty sure that over the last month you have learned that I like to do LOTS of stuff at one time. I like to keep busy with things I enjoy. But most of my activities can be done alone and does not require that I share my space or time with others. Yet my God Sized Dream is really about building a community to care for orphans.
This week for our God Size Dream team assignment we needed to identify what we are going to decrease so we can increase our time to follow our God Size Dream. This assignment has had me pondering what could I change and do differently. And then I was sitting in church and they asked for people to volunteer to serve on a ministry team.
It was like God was tapping me on the shoulder and saying, I want you to get more involved with your church.Â
Out of obedience, I filled out the connection card to help with Children’s Ministry. I will admit that I grumbled a little bit and said “God but I work with kids all week long, can’t my time at church just be about me?”
And like any good parent, He quickly replied “No, you’ve been sitting back for far to long. I called you to this church for a reason.”
Then on Monday I received a packet from Compassion International about Compassion Sunday. They were asking for volunteers to speak at their local churches.
Once again I felt God tapping me on the shoulder and saying, I want you to be the spokesperson for Compassion Sunday for your church. I want you to ask your church to get involved with orphan care in three different ways. The idea was clear and obtainable.
But then I realized that I had a scheduling conflict on April 21st. And how can I work full time, get Clothed in Love up and running, volunteer at my church and work this part time gig I have.
Then it became clear to me, God wanted me to have more time with him and doing his work and less of me doing a part time job to have mad money in my savings account. He wanted me to invest in heavenly riches and not earthly riches.Â
It was like God gave me homework assignments to complete (due date -eternity) – here is the assignment:
- God wanted me to be seeking his face and his wisdom.Â
- God wanted me to be an active member of my church not just a bench warmer.
- God wanted me to use my uniqueness to serve his church and the world.Â
- God wanted me to realize that I was called to that body of believers to advocate for orphans.Â
- God placed James 1:27Â on my heart and reminded me that I was the voice who needed to champion the cause.
God wanted me to STOP working in isolation and begin to work with the church and for the church. Because as you can see, that little girl in the picture still lives in me. That little girl loves to be around people and live life with people. That little girl loves using her heart to draw people to Christ. That little girl was created to commune with others.
So I have committed to decrease my “ALL ABOUT ME” time to increase my “ALL ABOUT GOD” time.Â
I want to focus less on me and MORE on him. What are you doing to decrease in your life to make room for your God Sized Dream? Go link up your dream at http:holleygerth.com
I agree, this picture displays pure & simple love… I smile on the inside because you both love each other so much! Awesome story.
Yep, it’s true I LOVE MY BROTHER TONS! Thank you for teaching us how to love.
I love your honesty here…sometimes it’s hard to put aside what we want and instead do what He asks. Awesome that you’re choosing to invest in eternity! Praying His blessings on you!
Thanks Mel. I love that he never stops pursuing us. I both excited and nervous to see where God is leading me and what this journey will be about. Thanks for walking this journey with me and being a great cheerleader!
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What an adorable picture of you and your brother…So great that you are listening to His taps on your shoulder…Proud of you
Thank you Dolly. I’m really trying to walk in obedience and listen more. Thank you for your kind words.
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This is beautiful. I’ve been through the same phase, and I feel like God’s nudging me to do the same right now. Congrats to you for following His leading instead of the easy way!
How cool is this – I was just thinking about you this afternoon. There is a special package coming your way
KEEP DREAMING and following God’s lead.
You are too sweet! I hope your new serving opportunities are going well.