I stared at the screen and the cursor glaring back at me.

I hit publish, put my head down, and prayed that some sweet soul besides my mother would read my blog. I looked up hitting refresh every two minutes hoping to see at least one comment.

Nope. Crickets.

What in the world was I doing?

Who did I think I was that I could actually write a blog and someone would want to read it? I closed my laptop deciding, I was not a writer or blogger after all.

I did not write another blog post for four years. (Thank God when we give up on our dreams God gives us this beautiful thing called holy restlessness).

So, after years of being completely miserable in my restlessness, I decided to try again.

This time my perspective shifted. I realized I was not responsible for the outcome of my writing, my job was to be obedient to what God had called me to do.

It’s been three years since I began writing again. And I am no famous blogger by any means, (and still very much an apprentice at this thing,) but oh the lessons I have learned.

An important lesson I had to learn is we live in a society which teaches us to abhor anything that takes a lot of hard work and shows little results over a long period of time.

We want it right now.

We want to drop 25 pounds in two weeks, our big dreams to be conquered over night, and we want to be known, seen and heard and quickly please.

Then, if all the above does not happen the way we think it should happen, we feel like failures and that our lives are not a success. And we end up despising the very things and small beginnings which God uses the most to grow us. ( Zechariah 4:10)

Yesterday, I listened to one of the most life changing messages titled: The Danger of Living for the Spotlight. (Listen here)

Pastor Jeff Manion has a new book called Dream Big, Think Small. And Susie Larson, the show’s host interviewed Pastor Jeff and read an excerpt from his book:

Your work matters, your life matters, I encourage you to build an extra ordinary life one day at a time. I pray that our gracious Lord will deliver you from the quest of a quick fix and that you will taste and see the joy and freedom that comes from a life of consistency and faithfulness. Big dreams must be anchored in small life-giving habits. This is why I challenge you to dream big and think small.

My friend, it is in the small, seemingly insignificant places that our Father produces the best fruit in our lives. The hidden ordinary places is where Jesus does His best work, not the spotlight.

So for any Mommas out there feeling your work doesn’t feel significant enough, think of all the consistent, hard things you do day after day, that are teaching and shaping your children. Lessons they will take with them and use for the rest of their lives. You’re rockin’ this thing Momma and your Father in Heaven sees you.

To the husbands and fathers out there working your butt off day after day to provide for your families, do you realize the impact you are having? You are teaching your kids everyday by the example of your life about faithfulness and hard work.

To the dreamers who feel discouraged, Susie said this so beautifully yesterday, “He makes us wait for things because He is making us ready.” Right now in this waiting season, your Heavenly Father is giving you the spiritual maturity you need for the dream He has called you to. You must not give up! A great harvest is waiting for you.

Friend, whatever it is we are working towards, let’s shift our perspective to what true success is through our Father’s eyes.

And may we be found faithful right where we are, doing small things with great love to change the world.

I think we just may discover the “big dream” or applause from others were not the greatest rewards after all. It was the perseverance, faithfulness and tenacious faith that was being built inside each of us.

One small step at a time.

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