Did you ever find it easier to encourage others in their God-given dreams, but find it hard to encourage yourself?
“One of the biggest challenges we have as women is assigning importance to our dreams — those desires God has planted in our heart.” ~ Kathi Lipp, in The Me Project
I had just given birth to my second child, when exhausted and completely drained of any creativity, I switched into “work mode”. I get into this zone when things need to get done. If others are depending on me, I somehow dig deep and can pull rabbits out of hats.
It’s a different story when it comes to taking care of my own needs. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy keeping healthy, unplugging with friends and taking off for my spiritual whitespace. I’m not into neglecting myself (a hot cup of coffee and pastry can do miracles on a cloudy day!).
But, if I hear words like “pursuing your dream”, a defense shield goes up.
The Me Project
I’ve taken the road before to pursue dreams and hopes that were God-given. My plans, even though stepped out in faith and guided by God’s presence, went off script. They did not turn out the way I expected.
So, when I reviewed “The Me Project” newly released by my friend Kathi Lipp, national Christian speaker and author of The Marriage Project and The Husband Project, I was curious about what I’d find.
I love getting a dose of Kathi’s humor, as she delivers her practical, real-life application of Biblical principles in her “marriage” and “hubby” books. She’s the easy-going girlfriend who’ll talk straight with you, with a loving heart of grace.
But, I instinctively shied away from the word “Me”. My reaction showed me I was eager-beaver if it came to investing in my marriage and husband. But, when it comes to spotlighting my own passions, I was reluctant.
As I worked my way through Kathi’s book, I found insight into my “Me” hesitation. Through Kathi’s own journey to value God’s gift of encouragement and writing — through a broken marriage and then a new one — I realized Kathi wasn’t writing about reaching a guaranteed outcome.
Kathi was exploring the hearts of women who are ready to take a chance on a God-given desire. She offered encouraging inspiration on what can hold us back and move us forward.
Being faithful to step out in faith — that was something I could use encouragement in.
Stepping Out Season?
If you feel God may be leading you into a season to take steps of faith — to pursue a dream He’s placed on your heart — you have a chance today to win a copy of Kathi’s new book: The Me Project.
Here are some gems of encouragement from Kathi’s book, for the God-sized dreams in you:
“If God is telling you to wait on part or all of your goal,
figure out what you can do in the meantime.”“Check in with God with some concentrated prayer and meditation…
get quiet with God and listen for His direction for your goal.”“If you are feeling overwhelmed in taking even small steps…
I want you to look at some of the strengthening areas of your life and check to make sure that you are taking good care of yourself.”~ Kathi Lipp
Finally, I want to offer up a Scripture that has pulled me up, out of the dirt of critical voices. You know, the voices that say, “You’re not good enough.” or “It’s too late for you.”
Although the Apostle Paul is talking to young Timothy about his gift of teaching God’s word, there is encouragement for those of us starting new. God has put different gifts in each of us that He wants us to bless each other with.
I’ve walked through enough seasons of faith to know that plans still may not turn out the way we expect. The great thing about faith is this: we will always win Jesus through every step of the way. I think that is the secret that frees us to lay all aside and take risks.
We have the reward of Jesus — and He’s given us the joy of investing Himself in us.
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving…
And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young (Aren’t we all young in starting new?)
… Do not neglect your gift.”
1 Timothy 4:1, 11-14 (parenthesis mine)
~~~~~
How is God asking you to invest in nurturing His gift in you?
Do you find it hard to invest time and energy in your interests and passions?
Pull up a chair. Click to share a comment or subscribe by email.
~~~~~
** ENTER TODAY’S BOOK GIVEAWAY**
Thanks to Kathi Lipp and Harvest House Publishers, two winners will be selected to get a copy of The Me Project!
To Enter: Share a comment by midnight Sunday, 5/29/2011.
For Extra Entries: Share on Facebook or Twitter and leave extra comments letting me know!
To connect with Kathi Lipp: You can find Kathi on Facebook, Twitter or blogging (Kathi’s currently doing a fun series on The 5 Day Flirt Challenge!)
~~~~~
Want Free Updates of Faith Barista delivered to you hot & fresh? Subscribe now via email (click here) or RSS (click here).
Photo courtesy of JosieKristine685 via Photobucket.
46 Comments
I have one dream that God has given me confirmation that is His will for my life. I am waiting on Him daily to show me what steps I should be taking. It’s a slow process, but it’s God given. This scripture is right on! It is so easy for me to encourage others and such a challenge to keep my own dreams alive. I’d love to have this book in my library! Thanks for your always encouraging posts, Bonnie!
I would love to win this! Sounds so interesting.:) You mentioned something in your post about taking care of ourselves — I’m learning how to do that. It always sounded so selfish to me before but I’m realizing it’s a necessity. Thanks for your blog. I really enjoy it!!!
“But, if I hear words like ‘pursuing your dream,’ a defense shield goes up.” Me, too.
For me, it’s the nagging doubt that a crisis is coming and I will be needed and my dreams can wait. And for the last 40 years, that’s been true.
Is it still true? I don’t know.
This is so true! Many times over the years I have felt discouraged and alone because motherhood is a demanding job. “Me time” is so hard to get and even harder to enjoy and make yourself feel fullfilled. More times than not I lend and ear or support my friends as well as being a mother and all that encompasses. This book sounds like it would be a real benefit to me as well as anyone.
Thank you for all your uplifitng words!
I find your blog encouraging. Self worth is hard to find. When I turned 50 a few years ago, I had to wonder what I have done in my life really worthy and what in the world could I do now. Pursuing my dream is what? I am not sure I know anymore. Feel like give, give, give and do forget what it is to take care of myself. Would love to win your book. Yes, life is good, just life is passing me by faster than I can keep up. Working on joy.
I think I shime in with the rest of these beautiful ladies and this amazing post when they say that its hard to put ourselves & our self worth and who we are in Christ and ALL we are created to do IN HIM as less than or second guess because we are so ingrained since little girls to put others first and we do this all the time at the expense of loosing ourselves and so we don’t create a balance, we go into extremes-we all have dreams and visions that God has placed in us when we are born again of the spirit-we ALL need to be awakened to this truth and not to fear our greatness and light that is in us, God given, to shine out! I would LOVE to win this book and I wish the same to all you beautiful women: to walk & live in the fullness of who we are in Christ! amen
I don’t know what my dreams are. I am so busy in the day-to-day and trying to do what I am required to do, I just don’t know what that thing is. What does God want from me? What are my true talents? What was I made to do? I don’t know. I am sure that is pretty sad, it is sad when I think about it.
Like you, I’ve found myself a most discouraging companion at times, especially in terms of my dreams. I sometimes feel guilty for wanting to pursue them, because after all, they’re MY dreams, so going after them must be selfish, right? Wrong!
The busyness of life does threaten to choke out our dreams, especially today with so many things competing for our attention. Keeping our focus on what truly counts is a daily battle that is worth fighting. I am encouraged by the your blog and the way this new book sounds. Keep doing what you are doing, ladies. You are appreciated more than you know.
This book sounds like it was made for me! I am currently undergoing testing because my husband “made” me go to the doctor. I am always taking care of something/one else and I never seem to have time for myself. Some times I feel like I don’t even have time for God and for that, I feel guilty. However, having my bible on my phone has helped a lot, a few minutes here, few there. I pray and ask for help, I have no clue what God wants me to do, which way to go. Things are so bad right now and I really need that help. I feel like saying, “Please, give me a sign, something.” What really gets me is I am that woman who can give all the good and/or Godly advice, but when it comes to myself, I have none left it seems. What is even more sad is I don’t even have dreams any more, just want to get by today…one day at a time.
This sounds like a good book. I may have to go get a copy. :o)
Thanks for the great post.
It continues to amaze me that when I am struggling He puts the information I need to get me through right before my eyes. Thank you Lord!
I have been struggling with self doubt in my new business the past couple of weeks. I know that He brought this to me at just the right time but I have such a problem with feeling rejected. Even if I am not rejected I get doubts going on in my mind which I know in my heart is the enemy discouraging me to failure.
I can’t wait to read this book!
I have been wondering lately about pursuing my dream. I work in a job that is not my dream job, not where I feel I am gifted in or enjoy and I hate it. I hate it more and more as I had to file work report injury. This incidence makes me to think and ponder that God is trying to tell me something. One thing I learn: I need to take care of my body (= take care of myself, as you put it). And in this waiting period for a “dream” job while in the process to get well, it would be great to learn from Kathy’s new book. Thanks for such a great post, Bonnie. You have blessed me!!
On saturday i was on a church away day and it came the time when the pastor asked us to come and be prayed for. I sat for a while and listened to them pray for differnt people, I heard the words, beautiful, special God loves you and at that moment i couldnt walk forward could bare to hear words like that about me as i just couldnt believe them. I know i need to work on my heart on my self confidence as its slowly crashing down around me.
It’s so true..I always feel like it’s “too late” or I should’ve done “x” earlier. And, really, sometimes I’m just trying to get through the day!
I’ve had the feeling for a while that God has big things planned for me. Yet, when I believe I’m working towards those things, I get stalled and it doesn’t quite seem to work. I don’t know if it’s me taking over God’s work, me afraid of success, or other forces at work. Then, when I do get started, that “you’re not good/dedicated/Christian enough” voice pops up and really messes with me. I think this book could be very helpful!
I would love to win this and start applying the concepts to my life.
I really need this…i need to learn how to encourage myself 🙁
Thanks for the chance and God bless!
You asked…
“How is God asking you to invest in nurturing His gift in you?”
That is a question I’ve been asking myself for the past three weeks. It actually started in January but has intensified. I feel like God is calling me to quit something so that I can better invest in something else. The only issue I face is that I currently don’t know what either something is. I’m still seeking Him for answers. Maybe I’m making it harder than it should be. It never seems this hard when I’m counseling someone else. 🙂
“Do you find it hard to invest time and energy in your interests and passions?”
I find it almost impossible. By the time I get done helping everyone else, I am spent. It is not that I don’t want to change this, because I do. Perhaps I don’t know where to start.
For three months now we’ve had back to back trials. Our son was mugged, my Mom faced severe complications from surgery & required 24/7 care, then our son was on the Tuscaloosa tornadoes. We just got his stuff back home & yesterday he had a car accident.
It feels like another year, that I had planned intentionally to do some self-exploration in (as selfish as it sounds to me) is quickly slipping away. And that is discouraging, especially since I’m not getting any younger.
I could really relate to the first part of your post. I’m stuck in “work mode” but getting out is something I’m not sure how to do at this point.
Thanks for sharing about this book. I’ve never even picked up a book with the word ME in the title. Perhaps it’s time to rethink that.
God bless, my friend.
On Sunday night, God confirmed a word that He first gave me two years ago. I am to write books for children that will catch them up into a world that glorifies Him. (Think Harry Potter or the Twilight Saga but for God’s glory instead). I feel that He is calling me to change my college major and pursue this call, which is so scary for me! My current major was chosen based on other people’s expectations and its ability to provide security, so now I must learn to step out in faith and trust Jehovah Jireh, my Provider! It’s faith-buildingto pursue my dreams after I have squashed them down for years, and it’s difficult to choose to follow God when it means rejection by those around me, but I know that in the end, I wouldn’t have it any other way 🙂
I have a dream to write poetry and songs full time. I’m writing now, while working forty plus hours a week. I long to have more time for quiet and to record and just to play around with music. I’m waiting for God to work out His best for me. In the meantime I’m writing and sharing what He’s giving me and loving it! Blessings, Laura 🙂
I have felt more and more drawn to pursuing some kind of merging of my photography and paper crafts and several other creative ideas to make things that glorify God and his wonderful creation we see all around us. But it seems like the days keep going by and I’m always too busy with work or other things that fill my time that I haven’t MADE time for creative pursuits lately. I want to honor the gifts God gave me and use them to bring myself and others joy and encouragement. Perhaps there are some words of advice in Kathi’s book that would help me actually pursue my dreams with purpose.
I would love to win a copy of this book. Don’t we always have time for everyone else but ourselves? How do we do it? Can 21 days really make a change? I would love to read to find out.
Currently I am struggling with a lot of emotions with my girls. They are 14 and soon to be 12. They are changing and they aren’t. They have grown up and yet {one}still throws tantrums. They are happy and yet I wonder if some times {one} may be a little sad inside. Oh, the mom stress we go through.
I don’t think its going to get any easier any time soon but we plug along.
I appreciated your post. This sounds like a great book for me.
DREAMS…There is a verse, Psalms 37:4, that my mom always reminds me of, “Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.
I have faith and believe that God has a plan and purpose for my life. It is only in His timing that whatever desires or dreams I have…God will help me to know what that is, and will give me the desires of my heart.
I’m trying to work on me at 53 yrs. old, and I find it very difficult to do.
The reason being is that I have always put others before me. I don’t regret doing that, however, I feel that I have lost myself and my dreams in the process.
I’m not too sure where to begin in pursuing the desires of my heart. I also need to work on believing it’s alright to do so without feeling guilty or selfish. From what encouragement I read from Kathy’s thoughts…I guess I can begin with prayer and meditation…
This couldn’t have come along at a better time. I’m actively engaged in a God-given pursuit and I’m finding it difficult to “invest” in myself. I’d stop, drop and roll in a second for my child or my husband, but finding that same worthiness of myself is a challenge.
Hi, Bonnie! I think what God is really telling me this time is to be brave and just do what He has placed on my heart a long time ago. I felt like if I would hesitate and I won`t do what I was created for, I`m only wasting my life and my purpose.
I remember a story about a child who died on the street (of hunger, if I`m not mistaken) because someone didn`t embrace a God-given dream… because the person who`s supposed to meet that need didn`t have the courage to live his destiny.
Perhaps, we feel this discontent sometimes because we are meant to pursue greater things…things that God has set on our hearts long before we were born.
Thank you for this post, Bonnie! Very timely for me!
I want to be in on this Project Me. I am a 60 yr. old mother of a 37yr. old disabled son. May I add, a single parent; only the help of the Lord. When I turned 60 I knew this was a new season for me. And I am remaining open to God what lays in store for me.
Wow – I’ve been so blessed reading all these comments. Bonnie – you are just amazing. I’m blessed to know you!!
WOW!! This is the third time in the past 6 months that “pursuing God’s Dream for you” has come up…kinda gettin’ a message here!
I have been given a dream, women’s ministry, yet I am too scared to step out boldly…I have taken a tiny, tiny step and will be taken a much larger step this next month..but mostly I have been hiding.
I just know (okay, I think I know) that it won’t look like I imagine it, so I just don’t try…the enemy knows me all to well…so I am slowly walking forward…
This book sounds just like the push I need..thanks for bringing it to my attention! ~ Jean
I don’t know that I know how to dream. I have said it before. I am learning how to take care of me the last several years now. In doing that I have been questioning God about my dreams and what they are. I am continuing to invest in taking care of myself, but that is as far as I have gone. I have also done things that I would never have dreamed about so they must have been God’s dream for me… sharing my story at the women’s retreat, leading Celebrate Recovery lessons, leading women’s recovery classes. None of these things come naturally to me or is something I would have done easily. So is that learning to dream… doing what God leads me to do that is out of my comfort zone?
I’m 31 years old, with 2 kids under 6 and have just recently been discovering what my giftings are.
My youngest child begins school this year and I am finally able again to work and be more involved in ministry. Which led to me questions myself – Well what do I want to do? What are my irrevocable gifts? What is the thing I could do for hours and never tire? I had NO clue the answer to those questions.
But God has been speakign to me, showing me what those things are, and I feel excited. I have vision again and I am now setting goals, planning the steps to pursue what God has shown me is my spiritual gifting. I feel excited about the future and not dreading it anymore.
The first quote resonated with me – we have trouble assigning importance to our dreams. So true! I am definitely guilty. This looks like a great book. Thanks for the opportunity!
Being faithful to step out in faith is something I need encouragement in. I am still struggling with those critical voices. “You’re not good enough”. “Some people count”.
“It’s too late for me”. After 20 years of marriage, I was devestated when my husband left me for a younger woman. I started attending a new church in 2008. I went though Divorce Care, then started Celebrate Recovery, not knowing where to turn next with all my hurts, hangups & bad habits. I am a work in progress. I’ve learned to forgive, just as God has forgiven me for my sins. Unemployed again at 53 can be very discouraging. Again I find myself struggling with the critical voices. “No one wants you”. On Mother’s Day weekend, Kathi Lipp came to my church as a guest, motivational speaker at the Women’s tea. She so encouraged me. I could really use this book to continue encouraging me to pursue my dream He’s place on my heart.
I’ve been feeling God’s tug to launch a ministry to “messy married couples.” This book sounds like a great resource for that pursuit. Thanks for highlighting it, Bonnie! And yes, it feels selfish to even hint that God might want to use me. But that’s the great thing about God–He uses the weak things of this world. Yay, God!
I have sensed God’s call on my life to pursue a dream for many years. When friends ask me why I haven’t yet done so, I have to admit to myself that it is nothing but the fear of taking a risk that holds me back. I think this is the summer to start stepping out in faith in this area of my life. And Kathi’s just about got me convinced that she’ll be there to hold my hand every step along the way! I think The Me Project just might change my life!
Me, who’s that? Definition of me is I am a mother, a grandmother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, God’s child, a friend and heir of Christ, a caretaker, a nurse, a chef, a housekeeper, a bread winner, a fix it person, a confidant, a babysitter, an accountant, an inventor, a sales person, a mechanic, a beautician, a pet sitter, a writer, a promoter, a cheerleader, a team player, a laundry person, gardner, correspondent, preschool teacher, business adminstrator, health and wellness counselor, senior aide, a student and more.
I never knew I was supposed to take care of me? This is a totally new concept, one that has never really entered my mind.
It might be time to take care of me…If I only knew how….
Sweet friends, my heart is so moved by all the God-sized dreams that you’re all sharing here. Just beautiful pearls of beauty… Jesus’ heart must be so stirred by all you’ve poured here. Thank you, thank you.
This book is just what I need right now. My youngest of four graduates from high school in 2 days, and I am left wondering what God has in store for me in this next, “empty nest” chapter of my life 🙂
I’m still learning that “I don’t belong in the gutter” and valuing my gifts and just ME is going to be part of that.
Okay, okay, I get the message! I’m about to attempt my first leap this summer. Breathing deeply and as my blog says I will be taking my faithsteps along the path the Lord has lain. Boldly I’ll go because I have His support. Winning the book would be a great encouragement but I’ve got a great book already that is the only one I’ll truly ever need…my Bible.
DV – NMV
Taking care of me is what I struggle with, yes. Also remembering to think not just react and say yes all the time. That’s gotten me into more tight spots than I can remember! Oh well, I am growing I suppose, realizing as I’m getting older I’m also getting weaker and can’t do it all, so have to say no sometimes.
sounds like a great book, thanks for the giveaway!
blessings,
shana
I think God is calling me to begin my teaching career- after graduation college 17 years ago and being a stay-at-home mom for 14 years. I am so scared, feel so old and out of the loop and would like to just call under a rock. But I know that God has given me a gift and a love for kids.
With 5 kids to homeschool, it’s easy to lose sight of ‘ME’. This would be great to get me back on track.
i want you to know, friend, since that night on skype chat, i have been praying for you and your dream. for your heart and your energy and your spirit. you are being remembered…