God's Dreams

Dreams....I have so many. As I draw closer to God through daily time in His word He gives me the desire to do things I never would have thought about on my own. While growing up, I did not enjoy English class and the basic thought of writing any kind of report caused me to procrastinate to the last possible moment. I hated speaking to a group of my peers due to being extremely shy with no inner confidence. However, I did know that God had a purpose for me, something bigger than myself. As a young college student my only goal was to get married and stay home with my kids. That is all I wanted to do. Years later, I found myself as a mother with a full time job and miserable, for this was not my dream. I struggled with the thought of being called to do something more, that this daily grind was not what God had called me to. I started to attend Bible study and for the first time in my life began to study God's Word in depth for myself on a regular basis. It was at this time that the dreams and purposes of my life began to get more clearer and started to be more of a calling God wanted me to fulfill. In 2003, I attended a Women of Faith conference with a group of ladies from my church. In the middle of this conference, as I was listening to a speaker, I felt God say to me, "this is what I have called you to. This is your calling." At that moment, I was overwhelmed at the task, overwhelmed that He would choose me. But at the same time convinced that I had heard His tug on my heart. I may or may not ever speak to thousands as in that arena, but God has called me to be faithful and fill my purpose where I am. The details of how that will be used is up to Him. This adventure between me and my Saviour is a plan in progress, sometimes I doubt I heard Him right, but if I stop my busy life and refocus back on Him, the desire and calling come back in full force drawing me to do the next thing. This blog came out of a time when God was showing me so much in His Word that I just had to share with someone or else I would explode. My last two speaking engagements really brought all of this full circle for me. I went to the platform full of confidence that this is what God has called me to do. I still have lots and lots of dreams left on God's shelf. I just want to stay close enough to Him that He can pull them down from time to time to give me a glimpse into what He has planned. Just a little hint to keep me seeking Him for the next step. He knows if He had revealed the whole plan to a shy teenage girl who hated English, I would have ran for the hills! What has God planned for you? His dreams for your life are so much bigger than you can imagine. Draw close to Him and get a glimpse of what He plans to do through you. Let Him make beauty from ashes or in my case, confidence from self-doubt.
I Cor. 2:9- "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."
Psalm 37:4- "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Twas a day like any other....

As I was reflecting on this old Christmas poem today, God gave me this version instead. I hope it touches your heart as it has mine.

Twas a day like any other, when all through the house,
Not a child was sleeping, not even her spouse.
The clothes were all folded, sitting in the way,
In hopes that someone else would put them away.
The dishes were clean and put up with care,
She was standing there wishing to be elsewhere.
There was a never ending list of chores to dread,
While dreams of purpose danced in her head.
She would give anything to do something that mattered,
and with that her thoughts would start to scatter,
When what to her wondering eyes should appear,
But verses from the Word that made her doubt disappear,
Strength, confidence, love, and joy were all written there,
Forgiveness, peace, dreams, and passion she would wear.
Purpose! Yes, Purpose, it all became clear,
God wants to use her in those she holds dear.
She made a decision at that point in time,
God's word is what she needed her heart to bind.
If Jesus she petitioned to help her through,
Her heart, He could do nothing but woo.
Listen closely, she can hear Him say,
Hold tight to me, and I will lead the way.
Renewed passion and life is what I give,
Something you will rejoice in and be proud to live.

I am so grateful that God uses me, a sinner in the trenches with you, to pour His words out on you. May He get all the glory.
Katrina