I have been a storyteller all my life.
Maybe not always a good one, as evidenced in some old home movies that my parents shared with us kids over Christmas! But telling stories, sharing about my life is something I have always enjoyed doing.
I have memories from long ago of an old cassette recorder that my parents had and let us use. This memory had remained pushed back into the recesses of my mind until this week.
I started thinking about what dreams I had as a child for my life, and while I couldn’t remember what those might have been, I did remember this cassette recorder.
My brother, sister and I would make recordings of our everyday life. We would sing and tell stories and laugh at how silly we thought we were.
It was an innocent time and we believed that our words mattered.
Our words were burned into those cassette tapes for all eternity (or until we erased them), but you get the point. Those tapes defined me, they were a reflection of my humor and joy, my love of music and storytelling.
But somewhere along the way, in the trials of growing up an awkward and nerdy teenager, I stopped believing that my words mattered.
In fact, at some point, I started believing the lies that I wouldn’t ever be good enough. I would never measure up and be popular. I would never make the cheer leading squad or the school musical.
I didn’t have anything special to offer.
Have you believed those lies? Can you remember a time when you felt you had a voice but don’t know how long it has been since you felt that was true?
Last week I put words to my God-sized Dream.
It was terrifying to me but I received some wonderful encouragement. Women shared that they felt the same way, they had unspoken dreams but they were being brave and taking the first step by speaking them out loud.
Oh the knee-knocking that was happening last week! 🙂
But finally taking that step and putting words to my dream was invigorating.
I could feel my “voice” coming back. That love of words that was stuffed away deep inside of me was growing in my heart.
I DO have a voice, and it matters – if to no one else – it matters to God. (<==== Click to Tweet)
So I speak because of Him! I speak on behalf of Him and I praise Him because He created me with this love of words. It was there all along, I had just forgotten about it.
I loved this excerpt from Holley’s 40 day devotional “Opening the Door to Your God-sized Dream”
“In many ways, God-sized dreaming is more about an attitude than an action. It’s living with an ongoing yes to whatever God asks of you.
It means choosing faith over fear
It means moving forward instead of holding back
It means believing God can accomplish his purposes for your life – no matter how hard things are right now.”
God has given me a love of words and has called me to share them.
It causes me fear at times and I wake most days feeling unworthy of the task. Â But I am holding on to the truth that He can accomplish His purposes in my life, regardless of how I feel about it! (<==== Click to Tweet)
There is freedom with that simple truth and I am thanking Him for that today!
What were the childhood desires of your heart? Can you see that God was equipping you even then to pursue your God-sized Dreams today?Â
Linking up today with other dreamers over at God-sized Dreams – if you blog we would love to have you come and join us in the fun!
Photo Credit: Nuscreen
Cheering for you, friend! I know that, as you step out, and share those words, He will use them to impact so many. I’m proud of you. 🙂 I’m a storyteller, too…and I think that’s what He’s asking me to do. To write those stories down and share them with the world…or whoever will read them. 😉 To one day, speak them…eek! I love that He can (and WILL!) do more with our dreams than we can ever imagine. Sending a giant (((HUG))) today…love you, girl! You inspire.
Thank you Mel – so glad we get to walk this scary road together!!
Yes, your words do matter and they bless those that read them. This dreaming stuff is scary and even scarier speaking them out loud!! There’s a part of me thats going, Can I really do these things?? Holding tight to the hope that He will accomplish His plans in me…despite me 🙂
It’s comforting…yet hard…to trust God in this journey, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing your dream!
Oh it can be so hard!! Even when I see in hindsight how He is working!! Why don’t I trust again in the future?! 🙂 A work in progress for sure!
Oh, yes your words matter. Our words matter. So much encouragement here, Kristin. All you God-sized dreamers are an inspiration.
Blessings,
Beth
Thank you so much Beth – you are an encouragement to me!!
If I were to look back, I could probably see my love for words and writing starting to develop {I loved to write letters and I journaled off and on}. I guess I always thought writers were just the people who could make up interesting stories, but I’m realizing it’s more than that. I’m definitely still figuring it all out and how I can best be “me” as a blogger. And for the record, that cassette recorder is AWESOME!! 🙂
Sarah you ARE a writer and I love reading your posts!! 🙂
SO happy for you!
I used to make “radio shows” on my cassette recorders! LOL.
I totally relate to your passion for storytelling and I wish you ALL the BEST! 🙂
*Jeremiah 29:11*
I love that – radio shows!!
So sweet…I love how your parents encouraged you and your siblings by giving you that cassette player. So delighted to see you returning to an understanding that your story matters. And yes to God, but to so many others as well, including me!
Keep dreaming, brave dreamer!! I love your words here and your heart to share them! God will make a way for those passions to be birthed! : )
Kristin,
I found your post though a God-Sized Dream tweet, and I am thankful that I clicked the link, though very late at night when I should have been asleep! Not only did your post strike a chord, but also your self-description. I love the words you chose to describe the hard roads…we’ve been traveling for 24 years, and I must say that your words felt so familiar, but refreshingly hopeful as well. I know we are not alone, and we are blessed. I look forward to reading more of your words! Thank you for sharing.
Tracey – thank you so much for coming here, for you comment and encouragement! It is a TOUGH road to walk at times and it is so nice to know that there are others walking the same road so we can encourage one another!! Praying for you!!
Feeling glad to find your website and after reading this post I’m able to find out why I love all Christian bloggers. God bless us!