Hopes & Dreams

The last few months have been full of change. I've been organizing and simplifying, purging and re-purposing. I've implemented a new method of personal Bible study, and re-focused my priorities. In the past couple of weeks, I've joined the 5:00 a.m. club (really, it's 5:30 for me...but that's what works). I feel like chaos is becoming a thing of the past. It's slow, but I can see it coming.

Thanks to Terri, I've been reading "A Woman After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George. I'm using it during my prayer time -- reading a chapter & praying over it. Last week, I was profoundly affected when I read

Motivation is key when it comes to nurturing a heart of devotion, and dreaming helps motivate us. As a wake-up call to the seriousness of daily life and to find fresh urgency about your walk with the Lord,describe the woman you want to be spiritually in one year. Let your answer put wings to your dreams.

She goes on to encourage how much we can accomplish in a year with the Lord's help. So, I made my list. I've marked that page in my journal so that I can refer to it regularly & pray over it.

In one year, I want to:

~be more intimate with God
~love Him more
~have Him be more real to me
~know more of His Word
~be ministering more to others, especially my family
~be at peace with the plans He has for my life
~continue to be a member of the 5:30 a.m. club
~have an accountability partner
~honor God & my husband, in my roles as wife & Deacon's wife

I figured if I'm going to dream, I might as well dream big!

Today I began my time with Him praying

Oh God, I praise you because you are so good! You are so much greater than my mind can comprehend. Nothing is larger than you, yet nothing is too small for you to care about! Nothing is too difficult for you, yet you are involved in even the simplest of things. You made the millions of suns and stars, yet you are involved in the intimate details of my life. You are beyond reason, yet you're the explanation for everything.

I flipped to my list and prayed over it again. I specifically remember praying for the accountability partner. That's been heavy on my heart, and I thought of a couple of ladies. I didn't have a peace about those choices, although they would have been wonderful. But wouldn't you know, God answered that prayer! In His own way, which was so much better than what I had asked or imagined! (Eph. 3:20) A friend emailed me today, sharing a very personal struggle with me (one I also struggle with, but had not really discussed with her). She said she felt led to contact me, and she asked if we could pray for each other. I nearly fell to pieces at my desk! God is so good and so faithful. Why am I so surprised when He answers my prayer?

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4