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Creating the Day You Want to Wake Up To!

Creating the day you want to wake up to

I don’t know about you, but there’s a few things I don’t want to wake up to. A dirty kitchen is one. Piles of laundry is another. Then there is the day packed to the rim with things I have to do. Not fun things. Days like that are never fun. It’s even harder when I’m dragging my kids along with me.

I’ve had many days like this. I wake up with all the things I have to do in the day running through my mind … and I groan. How am I going to get it all down and have peace? I wonder.

Thankfully, over time, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks for creating a better day—a better tomorrow. Simple choices make all the difference.

In some ways my days are just as busy as before, and that’s to be expected. John and I have adopted seven children in the last seven years. Yet even with a house FULL of children my life is more peaceful, more joyful than I’ve ever experienced. Here’s how you can do that too!

Head over to The Better Mom to see 4 ways you can create a day you want to wake up to!


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Encouragement for 2017

encouragement-for-2017

Another year has come and gone (perhaps a little too quickly). Maybe you are feeling discouraged reflecting on the year and all the things you didn’t get to do or achieve. If this describes your current mood or if you’ve ever had one of those days (months, years) when you feel like quitting, then read on! I came across these “fun facts” from Sharon Jaynes. Just think if these people had given up after feeling discouraged.

Isaac Newton did poorly in grade school.

Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, was encouraged to find work as a servant or seamstress.

Beethoven’s violin teacher once told him he was a “hopeless composer.”

Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas.

Thomas Edison’s teacher said he was too stupid to learn anything.

After Fred Astaire’s first screen test in 1933, the director noted, “Can’t act! Slightly bald. Can dance a little.”

Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four years old and didn’t read until he was seven. His teachers described him as mentally slow.

Babe Ruth, when he retired from baseball, set the home run record (714), but he also held the record for the most strikeouts (1,330).

Winston Churchill failed sixth grade.

And…One basketball player missed 9,000 shots in his career. he lost more than 300 games. Twenty-six times he was trusted to take the game’s winning shot and missed. His name is Michael Jordan. He said, “I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that’s why I succeed.

You never know what God has in store for your new year, so trust Him and press on!

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. —James 1:12

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The Rest is His Story

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Listen to my interview on Heroes for Her podcast and read a blurb about the interview below!

Seven daughters. Yeah, you heard that right.

I felt my heart drop when Tricia Goyer reminded me that she has seven, not six, daughters. Six are adopted, and she has one biological daughter. My heart hit the floor as I imagined myself trying to juggle all of that.

Raised by a teen mother before her mom married her stepdad, Tricia never really knew the love of a father. So, she went looking for love and acceptance in “all the wrong places” (This sounds eerily familiar), and she ended up becoming a teen mom too. At just 17, she had to grow up quick, and the strength and resiliency needed to keep moving forward inspired many things, one of which is a successful writing and speaking career.

This woman is amazing. She has written over 50 books. 50. Her new book, Prayers That Changed History, is in stores now. That is though, by far, not the most impressive thing I learned about her during our episode. What impressed me most is her honesty. How many people would speak so openly and candidly about becoming a teen mom, about having an abortion? I don’t know that I know anyone who is that honest.

I’ve been through my share of tough times and terrible mistakes, and so has she. The difference is she has this incredible peace about it, though. It’s a peace I find myself working toward, and I know it is something I will chase for many years to come.

The rest is HIS story. Listen to @TriciaGoyer’s interview with @biblebelles here:

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How Growing Your Dreams Helps Your Kids Grow Theirs

How Growing Your Dreams Helps Your Kids Grow Theirs

As a mom of ten kids I hear a lot of dreams.

“I want to be a firefighter.”

“I’m going to be a fashion designer.”

“I’m going to write kids’ books!”

When kids are little dreaming big comes naturally. Yet as they get older they are discouraged. They realize dreaming means doing … and doing means hard work!

So how do we encourage our kids to keep dreaming? By following our own dreams! It’s then we become a first hand example that hard work pays off!

How do we encourage our kids to keep dreaming? By following our own dreams! @TriciaGoyer

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But how do you start? Here’s how:

1) State your dreams … and keep asking your child about hers.

 

I was 22-year-old when I dared to tell a friend that someday I wanted to be an author. She encouraged me and we walked the journey together. Now we’re both authors of multiple books. The first thing to do is tell someone who you trust about your dream. Then ask that friend to keep you accountable toward following it.

Likewise, take time to ask your child about her dreams. When my daughter Leslie was just 9 or 10-years-old she told me she wanted to be a missionary. I listened, bought her books about missionaries, and we went on our first missionary trip as a family together when she was a teen. She’s now serving full-time in Europe. While I miss her being close, I love to see what God is doing with her life!

2) Take time to be delighted … and encourage your kids to delight in who God made them.

 

I find delight in creating stories, in talking about characters, and in reading books. I don’t hide these loves from my kids, instead I model enjoying these things.

God gave me unique gifts and talents, and as I delight in Him, He makes these desires come to life. As Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Delight yourself in the Lord

Stop by Serving from Home to read the rest of this post and other great posts!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

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How to Balance Growing Your Dreams While Tending Your Kids

How to balance growing your dreams while tending to your dreams! triciagoyer.com

Dreams

Do you have dreams and talents that you’d like to see develop? Have you always wanted to write a book, or host radio show, or run your own business but you are waiting until “after”? After the kids start school. After the youngest graduates. After life slows down. Dreams fulfilled all start with seeds, and they only grow when planted.

When I was 22-years-old, I decided I wanted to become a published author. The desire was there and the first seed was planted when I attended my first writer’s conference. In addition to having great aspirations, I was a mom of three kids. (Yes, I was a teen mom, but that’s a different story.) I wondered if I could really accomplish my dreams. The answer was YES!

Over time I watered that dream by writing lots, by attending more conferences, and by seeking out mentors. With watering and tending my dreams grew. My first novel was published in 1999. Currently I’m 44 years old, and I have 55+ books in print.

(I just realized that Palm Sunday weekend is the anniversary of my first writers conference. It’s odd to think that I attended Mt. Hermon Writers Conference 22-years-ago! I’ve been pursing writing for HALF my life! How amazing is that?!)

Dreams+Kids

When I first planted my dream-seeds I was a stay-at-home mom. I wrote in the mornings, during naps, and at bedtime. The kids were there, and I somehow made the writing work. I hardly watched television, chose one day a week to do all my errands, and I said “no” to many, many things. Choosing to make the time was hard. The hardest thing was giving myself permission.

Permission to Plant

To follow our dreams, we just need permission. Permission to slow down. Permission to discover our deepest purpose. And permission to follow God-breathed dreams even when we still have kids at home.How to Balance Growing Your Dreams While Tending Your Kids by Tricia Goyer (Featured on Raising Clovers) --Do you have dreams and talents that you'd like to see develop? Have you always wanted to write a book, or host radio show, or run your own business but you are waiting until “after”? Check out this post by Tricia to hear what her thoughts are. Not to be missed!

I’ve written books and articles while raising kids, and there are times I’ve feel guilty for not being able to watch a movie with them. I’ve felt guilt for we have pizza for dinner…again.

Then again, I make sure to be a mom first. We sit around the table at dinner. I take time with each child each day. We serve together, and we laugh together. And once I started following God’s dreams for me, I’ve also been an example to my children of what following God-dreams looks like.

Read the rest of this post at raisingclovers.com!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read full privacy policy here.

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Still praying for that future husband? Don’t give up!

praying for future husband

Are you still praying for a husband? Do you feel like giving up? Maybe you started praying in your teens and you’re in your 20s, 30s, or 40s now. Perhaps you’ve started to believe that your prayers are doing NOTHING. Sometimes it may seem like that’s true, but it’s not. Your prayers are working … but in ways you may not see for years and years to come.

Your prayers are working, but in ways you may not see for years! @TriciaGoyer

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Robin Jones Gunn and I wrote the book Praying for Your Future Husband a few years back, and one of our favorite things is receiving letters from women of all ages. Some of these letters include wedding photos! And many more of these women simply thank us for encouraging them on the journey.

If you’re still waiting … then keep praying! Here’s some encouragement for you to do just that:

 

Robin:

robin_pic_aboutPrayer is an extraordinary mystery.

This sacred privilege of communicating with our heavenly Father is more than a cozy, open invitation to come to Him anytime, anywhere. Even though His ears are open to the cries of His children 24/7, prayer is more than that. Prayer is also an act of obedience. We are exhorted to pray for others and to pray without ceasing.

Neither Tricia nor I pretend to have prayer all figured out. What we do know is that God hears. He sees. He knows us. He cares more than we can ever comprehend. And most important of all, God answers prayer.

Perhaps you’ve noticed that the way God answers prayers often isn’t what we expect. We look back years later and see that what God did was oh so much better than what we first envisioned when we sent our heartfelt requests heavenward. He created us, and He desires the best for us. God always gives His best to those who leave the outcomes with Him.

Another, even more amazing mystery is that, when we pray for someone else, we change. All of us were made to be loved, to give and to receive love. When your heart connects through prayer to the One who is the source of true love, you’ll find that praying for your future husband will wondrously result in your heart being changed. And when your heart is changed, your life is transformed.

What sort of changes will God bring about in your future husband’s life as a result of your praying for him now? We don’t know.

As you pray for him, what sort of changes will God initiate in your heart? We don’t know that either.

But we do know one thing:

God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It’s a good thing when you’re young to stick it out through the hard times. When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear (Lamentations 3:25-29, The Message).

It’s a good think to quietly hope for help from God! @robingunn

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Tricia:

Screen Shot 2015-07-20 at 9.41.44 AMI love that last line: “Wait for hope to appear.” Isn’t that what you need most when you’re still praying for your future husband, especially when so many of your friends are married and have children?

Perhaps you’ve prayed and prayed, but God hasn’t answered. Your prayers seem like bulbs planted in a winter garden. Each time you check for results, all you see is barrenness, debris and frost. You doubt the warmth of your faith when you first planted the prayers in a season of light and hope.

Patience, dear God Lover. Nothing is wrong with your prayers. Leave all of them safely hidden with the Lord. Hold fast to the hope that He has heard and is at work in the garden of your heart.

One bright spring morning you will be stunned when you see what God’s resurrection power has done with those requests you buried so long ago.

What is it that the Lord is asking you to work on in your life during this season? Please don’t compromise your standards. Don’t start making excuses to justify why you’re settling for actions or relationships that you know in your heart aren’t what you want your life to be about.

How can you change that destructive behavior today? What are the new choices you need to start making?

Most importantly, be at peace. See this time as an opportunity for God to develop His patience in you. And don’t forget: Love is patient.

Will you get married one day? Statistics say that you will. We all know that staying married is a whole lot more important than just getting married. How you spend this stretch of waiting and allowing God to develop His patience in you will only benefit you during the difficult times that all married couples go through.

And just as there are two people in every marriage, there are two people who are learning patience as they wait for each other. If you’re having a hard time, your future husband most likely will, too. Your prayers will make a difference.

How do I pray for God to develop patience in my future husband?

Pray he will turn to God and that God’s peace will help him to be inwardly calm and willing to wait.
Pray he will have a quiet and steady faithfulness to God.
Pray he will be content in every state he finds himself in.
Pray his eyes will be focused on things to come, rather than things he wished he had now.
Pray he will not push for answers before the time is right.
Pray he will trust God’s sense of timing.
Pray he will be reminded of all the times God has been patient with him.
Pray he waits with hope and expectancy.

Of course, as you pray these things for your future husband, be sure to pray the same for yourself. Patience is like holding a closed bud of promise in your hand. Imagine that closed, white rose in your mind. Consider allowing each petal to unfold slowly, in its own way. Can you see the beauty of each stage? Can you see God’s hand wrapped around yours, watching the unfolding with you?

Patience is like holding a closed bud of promise in your hand! @TriciaGoyer

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The Love Story

Will your love story come true? For many of you it will. Concerning your future husband it could be in the near(er) future, or like some, it could be years in the distance. It could be a quick romance. It could be a slow falling in love. It could be exactly like you pictured it or like nothing you ever dreamed. But when the day comes that your story is celebrated by your closest friends and family, you’ll know that every prayer was worth it. And you might even wish you’d prayed more, because prayers are the first gifts you give to your future husband. Gifts that heaven participates in giving.

While we can’t guarantee every one of you will have that type of love story, there is another type we do believe will take place. Everyone, everywhere can have a beautiful love story with her God. It begins the moment you look into His eyes, realize how much you are loved, and give your love and commitment in return.

While we cannot guarantee your prayers will lead you down the aisle to a waiting mate, we do know that every prayer whispered is precious to God. None of them are wasted. While we hope your prayers for the man of your dreams come true, we know that your prayers bring you closer to the God of your eternity. And seeing the love in His gaze is the most beautiful love story of all.
If you are to be committed to anything, be committed to preparing your heart for God’s — in this way — and in every other aspect of your life. The love you’ll experience will be life-changing, and the celebration in eternity is one to look forward to with all your heart.

Still praying for that future husband? Don’t give up! @TriciaGoyer

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Read the original post at boundless.org

 

Praying for Your Future Husband

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Never Say No | 5 Ways to Say Yes to your Kids {By Mark & Jan Foreman}

never say no

At a local cafe with a half dozen young leaders, Mark Foreman was recently asked, “Give us one nugget of parenting advice before you go.”

“Okay,” he responded, “Try out this one: Never say no.” The room erupted with laughter, as the dad looking for help reacted, “You are kidding right? That’s all I ever say–and my son needs one thousand more no’s.”

“No I’m not kidding,” Mark quietly responded. “Never say no to all the dreams and creative ideas your children have. Never say no to the realization you can become different than your mom or dad. Especially never say no to their requests to join them, like playing dress up with your little girl or going surfing with your teenager when the weather’s cold and windy. If you say no too often, they’ll stop asking.”

A week later that concerned dad tracked Mark down to say he had taken that advice and his home life had dramatically turned around. He said, “My son is suddenly easy to get along with just because I started saying yes to some things he wanted to do together. I’m not kidding,” he said with a big grin, “the change is dramatic.” As he walked away, he turned and pointed to Mark saying, “It’s hard, but never say no!”

A thousand no’s can be dwarfed by 1 yes! #parenting @markhforeman @janforeman

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No is a commanding word. It can be a denial, rejection, an expression of fear or an unintended statement of worth. But a thousand no’s can be dwarfed by the power of one yes. No is a brake while yes is an accelerator pedal. We say yes to the stuff and people we value.

Here are 5 ways parents can say yes to their kids.

1) Say Yes to a Greater Story:

Help your kids to discover a bigger story than the typical stories of safety, health, happiness and even success. Connecting them to God’s big story of redemption. We are raising children with this surpassing privilege: to reflect God’s loving face to others. Say “Yes” to the big story of God loving this world through them.

2) Say Yes to Time:

Children spell love tangibly: T-I-M-E. It’s is the currency of all relationships. Large deposits left early in lives will reap generous rewards later. It reverses Harry Chapin’s song, Cat’s In the Cradle.

3) Say Yes to Delight:

Children see themselves through their parent’s eyes, discovering their worth by reading our faces. Beyond loving our kids, it’s equally vital to really like them, enjoying who they uniquely are. Children who bask in these smiles of appreciation will pay it forward to genuinely enjoying others and being comfortable in their own skin.

@markhforeman & @janforeman share 5 ways to say YES to your kids! #neversayno

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4) Say Yes to Creativity:

All children are Michelangelo’s looking for a canvas. They come equipped with curiosity and innovation as part of the image of God package. This creativity grows best when we stretch their imaginations in a batteries-not-included environment, allowing them to explore and experiment.

5) Say Yes to Launching:

Maturity happens in baby steps: from crawling to walking, training wheels to two wheels, dating to marriage. Three ingredients that work together are essential for this process: increased freedom, risk, and responsibility. As we lean into this gradual increase of our kids’ freedom and (gasp!) risk, we will hopefully see a corresponding growth in their response-ability. It’s helpful to remember our destination: raising kids who say yes to God’s extraordinary plans for their lives.

Every parent, child and family is a gift, a fascinating original, experiencing God’s fingerprints in unique ways. So one final yes is to grace. As we imperfectly guide young humans to find their place in God’s epic, we all need buckets of God’s unearned love. Raising children is the most humbling and exhilarating privilege on earth. Here’s to saying yes!

Raising kids is the most humbling & exhilarating priviledge! @markhforeman @janforeman

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Leave a comment on this post for the chance to win a copy of Never Say No by Mark and Jan Foreman, the parents of Jon and Tim Foreman of Switchfoot!!

About Mark & Jan

static1.squarespaceMark & Jan Foreman live in the San Diego area, where Mark is lead pastor of North Coast Calvary Chapel in Carlsbad, California. Mark is the author of Wholly Jesus, and holds advanced degrees in Theology, Education, and a Ph.D. in Counseling & Pastoral Care.

Jan is a gifted teacher and artist, and also facilitates partnerships with underprivileged women and children both locally and in developing countries.

Together, they love surfing, sailing, travel and especially being with their family.

Never Say No

static1.squarespace-1The question Mark and Jan Foreman are most often asked is: How did you raise your kids?

Never Say No takes you on a personal journey to learn first-hand how they raised Jon and Tim of Switchfoot. They share practical advice for instilling wonder in a media-saturated culture, cultivating specific gifts, and balancing structure with individual choice. Our purpose as parents is the same as our child’s: to live creatively beyond ourselves, bringing the love, beauty and nature of God to this world. Let the adventure begin.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Do You Dare? | Trusting God with Your Past, Present, & Future

dare

“I have screwed up big time. If you can do anything with my life, please do.”

That was the eloquent prayer I prayed in the early months of 1989. I was 17 and pregnant. I had dropped out of regular high school. My boyfriend was out of the picture. My friends were going on with their senior year. I was depressed. I was without hope. I slept in until noon and watched soap operas, and I was pretty sure my life was over …

but then I dared to hope.

I dared to believe my Sunday School teacher who’d told me, years before, that Jesus loved me. I dared to trust that God could and would forgive me for my mistakes. I took a step of faith, praying to God to rescue me. I trusted that if I turned my life over to Jesus that he could give me a good future–even though I couldn’t see it or imagine it.

Do you dare to trust God to forgive and redeem your mistakes? @TriciaGoyer

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As I prayed those words, “If you can do anything with my life, please do,” I did not just pray them and then continue living and thinking in the destructive ways that got me where I was. Instead, I knew I needed to do my part.

I started reading my Bible. I started praying. I stopped watching television that promoted ungodly living, lust, destruction, and darkness. I stopped listening to music that turned my mind away from God. I instead listened to music that praised God and promoted right living. I surrounded myself with Christian friends. I attended church and modeled my life after those who were serving God. I prayed for my future, myself and my son. I worked to control my tongue. I sought forgiveness when I messed up. I got on my knees, and I confessed when I messed up. I shared with others what God was doing in my life. I spent time reading the Bible.

I did not change overnight. I still cussed and cursed at times. I was drawn to bad situations. I dishonored God at times. I made bad choices. I clung to pleasures of my flesh. In fact, these are all still things that I battle with.

But the more I sought God, turned to Him, read God’s Word, walked away from ungodliness, surrounded myself with people who loved God, the more I changed. It’s choosing the right way–God’s way–and turning my back on all that led me down the destructive path that made all the difference in my life.

God does not expect us to be perfect, but He does expect us to seek him for guidance, strength, wisdom, and the strength to make right choices. We do this through reading God’s Word, prayer, and following examples of those who put him first.

God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but to seek Him in ALL things! @TriciaGoyer

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He has done amazing things with my life–more than I can imagine. And I know that he can do the same with yours.

 

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Relinquish … Give Your Dreams to God

leapoffaith

I was thinking about it yesterday, and I’ve had constant book contracts since 2002. That means constant book deadlines since 2002! This, friends, is the grace of God. It’s nothing I could have done without Him … I don’t even want to try!

When I attended my first writer’s conference, I was 22 years old and pregnant with my third child. I had big dreams of being a “Christian author.” According to the world’s standards, there is no explanation for the fact that I have 50 books published and another 8 somewhere in the publishing process (from contract stage to soon-to-be released.) There is no explanation that some of one series is under contract in Hollywood either. I have no college degree. I work at home while I also homeschool. I have no parents or in-laws who live locally to fall back to for support. I have no full-time maid or nanny!

God had a plan for you before you were born! @TriciaGoyer

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What I do have is trust that God had a plan for me before I was born (Psalm 139). When I was considering if I should pursue writing, I thought back to my childhood. I grew up in a family who didn’t read many books, yet I found myself at the library constantly. That had to be God. Then, as a young mom, my close friend Cindy McCormick Coloma was also pursing writing, and God put her in my path to inspire and encourage me. He showed up again.

At the very first local writer’s group that Cindy and I attended, we heard about the Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference, and it was there that God connected me with numerous friends and mentors, including Robin Gunn. A few years later He brought Janet Grant into my life. She was just starting her agency, and she took a chance on me. What a miracle!

But with all the ups and downs, a pivotal point in my writing journey happened during one of my publishing darkest moments. I’d been promised a book contract and then that fell through. I was heartbroken! Within days I went to a writing workshop by Ellen Gunderson Traylor. She spoke of a time when she had to relinquish her writing to God. She realized she’d been pursing writing more than she’d been pursing God. That night I went into my room and I did the same thing. I got on my knees and I told God.

“I give this writing thing to you. If nothing EVER happens with it I’m okay than that. I want you more than writing. You can take it away.”

And I meant it.

For a season it looked like that was happening. I cared for my grandpa during his last months of life, and I helped to start Hope Pregnancy Center. And through those experiences, I learned many things that changed me and transformed me. God rubbed my heart with sandpaper–showing me the pain and need of the world–and then He brought me back to writing. He showed me He did have a plan for my words, but He needed me to experience the world a bit more. He also had work to do in my own heart.

Having a desire for someTHING shouldn’t loom bigger than God does @TriciaGoyer

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Maybe your passion isn’t writing … or maybe it is … either way know that having a desire for someTHING should never loom bigger than God does. God planted talents and passions in your heart before your birth, but those things should never become more important than Him.

If you feel as if you’re hitting a wall, I encourage you to RELINQUISH those dreams. Tell God with a sincere heart that you want Him more than any thing. Turn your dream over to Him and let Him work.

Sometimes it may seem as if He’s taking you completely off track, but God doesn’t see it that way. God knows what will prepare your heart for His good work. He knows what will bring you to the end of yourself so He can work. God doesn’t want to see what you can do. Instead, He wants to show you–and others–what He can do through you.

No man or women can dream bigger than God can. I’m proof of that. And in the end, when our passions and talents are filtered through His purposes God gets the glory, not us. And we can step back, thankful to be part of His good work.

What expectations or dreams do you need to relinquish to God and trust His perfect plan for you?

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my Facebook page for a special WWII book giveaway!

 

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

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Take Time to Create. Take Time to Explore.

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When I first began pursuing my dream career as a writer, I felt guilty following my dreams. My days looked like this: homeschooling in the morning, and then writing in the afternoon with a few hours I set aside while my children played. Those early years, I wrote articles and ideas for novels as Barney played on the television. At least a dozen times during those writing hours, my kids would ask me for milk, for a snack, or to play with them. I’d offer what I could but then reminded them, “This is Mommy’s writing time.”

Guilt weighed me down as if Barney the dinosaur sat on my shoulders. I thought I must have been the worst homeschooling mother ever. To combat my guilt, I swung the other way. I wanted to do everything—to make sure my kids lacked nothing. I became over-committed, making frequent library trips, getting my kids involved in every church program, and signing my daughter up for dance lessons and my boys up for sports.

It was my husband who urged me to stop the madness. Sure, I was writing and my kids had very active lives, but I was running myself into the ground. Our kids even started getting stressed because they had no down time. Finding peace took me figuring out what was most important and focusing on that.

Find out what’s important to you & focus on it! @TriciaGoyer

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“Commitment leads to action. Action brings your dream closer,” says Marcia Wieder. During the months to come, John and I dreamt about what type of family we wanted. This was just as important as any writing dream. Then, once we knew our priorities we were able to decide our action, our priorities:

  • To provide a godly education for our kids
  • To sign up each child for one extra-curricular activity a year
  • To have dinner time as a family
  • To train our children how to be part of the family unit and do chores
  • To connect and serve in our local church
  • To have reading time together as a family at night
  • To see what God was doing in our lives and follow Him

Now that I’m getting the chance to homeschool again, Alyssa, I’m finding I’m more lax about things. I’m also a lot easier on myself about following my dreams and being a good mom. These priorities continue to guide my everyday living as I spend time with my writing and with my daughter . . . and Barney still playing in the background.

 

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Start Your Own Rescue Journal

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So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials. 2 Peter 2:9 (NLT)

Grace is an amazing thing. God’s grace saved our souls for eternity, but God often shows up with daily graces too. The important thing is having a soft heart and attentive spirit to see them. Grace is God doing for us what we could never do ourselves. It’s preparing for our rescue.

Grace is God doing for us what we could never do for ourselves! @TriciaGoyer

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Our family witnessed God’s grace when he provided a house. We had moved from the Northwest to the South several years ago, and the hardest part has been settling down. The first condo we rented—sight unseen—was old and moldy.

We moved into a nice apartment after that, but when my grandmother decided to move back in with us, we didn’t have enough room, so we chose to move. After that we found a large, spacious house, but it was old, drafty, and expensive to heat and cool.

I was thankful, but my heart hadn’t settled. There were many wonderful houses in the area, but with my husband’s new ministry position the cost was out of reach. So I started praying.

The answer came in an unexpected way. I offered a book to a new friend. When she came by to get it, I asked if she happened to know of a house that would fit our large family. Not only did she know of one, she owned one!

Because of her husband’s job they had to move across town. The house was a perfect fit and the right price. And our presence there was an answer to her prayers for good renters too.

Are you facing a trial today? God not only knows how to rescue you, but He has a plan for that very thing. The rescue may look different than you imagine, but His way is perfect. Trust Him in that.
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Faith step: Create a small “rescue” journal. Start today by writing down how God shows up and answers your prayers. Every day add to your journal. Each page—each entry—will increase your faith!

 Read the original post at Guideposts.org. Want more devotions? Check out Mornings with Jesus 2015.

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram.


Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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