If you are stopping by from the lovely Holley’s, let me swing the front door wide and say welcome! I can already tell you’re my kind of friend. If your day could use a bit o’ blue skies, please sit and stay awhile. I love meeting new folks! If you would like a little fresh air delivered to your inbox or reader, feel free to visit here. I post 2 to 3 times a week, so I promise not to overwhelm you or your inbox. If facebook is more your style, you’re welcome over here.
When my Air Force husband David received orders for our family to move to the desert Southwest, I was less than thrilled. This deciduous tree loving girl had no desire to call any place void of moisture home.
I spent my fair share of time sulking over it, too.
Eventually, I uncrossed my arms and smiled bravely for the trek west. After all, moving and the military go hand in hand, and you rarely get a say in where home is. When I struggle to accept this, the best course of action is behaving my heart into the right place rather than waiting for the good feelings to show up first.
While I still had my share of teary moments, I did eventually learn to call the desert home. Read the rest of my story here?
Holley and I are joining forces for a giveaway! If you would like to be entered to win the Lisa Leonard He calls the stars by name necklace as well as an Annie Barnett print of your choice, please say hello in a comment below or share a lesson you’ve learned – like facing a fear – from a desert season in your own life.
Such a great reminder to allow our hearts to be aligned with Christ even when we might not be aligned on what we deem the ‘right’ path or the desired path. I have “God-sized” dreams, but something God has been teaching me is to dream with others, dream FOR others, and ask God to shape my dreams so I see this world with His eyes..what can be more beautiful than dreaming with God…
Carolyn Marie, this is beautiful. Your comment will stay in my heart and in my prayers! Thank you so much for being here.
Hello! I make my home with my husband and two kiddos in Colorado Springs. I homeschool my kids and I have reached that desert place in my life because of my health. I have come to a hurdle that is obstructing the view of the dreams that God is placing in my heart. My dream is simple, really. Be a strong wife and mother for my family, shine a light for Jesus through myself and my family, and teach Bible studies for women. I have a STRONG desire to know all that I can about theology, Bible history, and teaching others to follow that still small voice inside themselves that ultimately is the Holy Spirit breathing Godly Wisdom and direction into our hearts. Currently, I take classes in Biblical Studies and Psychology at a local university. I have been stricken with an illness that is shackling me to things far from the dreams that I aspire to live. However, I know God is carving my path and perhaps, no not perhaps…definitely, I know God will definitely use this time to reach others someday. I came to your blog via Holley’s and look forward to poking around. Blessings upon all whose eyes view this blog 🙂
Paula, so nice to meet you, neighbor!
I can already tell what a strong, beautiful influencer you are amongst your family and others. Putting my arm around you and praying for your health, your dreams, and your heart. Grateful to see you here!
My dream….. Somedays fear can grip us and tear us apart…. Fear is ugly …. Thats why is not of God….. it robs us our peace and it distracts us from our focus…. I have been trying to get a blog to encourage women… Especially single women who have never been married or are single again and in their 20’s…. But loosing my job, getting sick was not in my plans…. My dream seems like it’s on a shelf for safe keeping…. I sent out am email to my group of ladies now but I wanted to grow into a blog so that you can Skype if you want too…. I know God has many things in store for me and the excitement jut keeps building…..
Jules, I’m praying for you right now as you test your wings on this new dream. I’m excited right along with you! Keep us posted, k?
Thanks, Kristen, for being an oasis in my desert of a day…asking Him for grace to follow Him for each day. Blessings to you 🙂 Visiting from Holley’s site 🙂
What a great post! A general’s wife told me when we were in San Antonio that she gives herself 3 days to pout over any new assignment–then she pulls herself together and does what she needs to do to move herself and her family. I like that. 🙂
I *love* that Pattie. xo
I find it ironic that our family is in a desert place with no idea of what’s next…after the ending of our job working with at-risk Navajo youth in a remote DESERT area of New Mexico! (In other words—we moved back to Ohio’s deciduous, rainy climate to walk through our “desert” time…)
So many times in my life, my “path” was changed, and now I look back and see it was God’s “tapestry”
so to speak, and I would not change it for the world. Thank you for “Chasing blue skies”, it is a wonderful
and uplifting website. God bless, KL
I can relate to your story, Kristen, but in a little different account. After living in the state of Oregon for about 13 years, I felt the only way to “save” the family was to move everyone back home (Illinois). I had a 3 mo old and a 10 year old who I flew back to find us a place, which I did, but was, well, a less than desirable place for the five of us to move into. I left the 3 mo. and the 10 year old with “family”, whom they never met to go back to pack up the U-Haul and retrieve my husband and other 5 year old. We made our way back to IL, non-stop, driving almost 3 days. You see, I didn’t look back as I was heading out of my lovely city I had called my home, I faced forward with determination to save my marriage, my family. I left a part of me behind, a part of my heart that I , to this very day say is still there and that was 24 years ago. Today; however, I have a beautiful growing family. Three loving children who’ve grown to be respectful and gracious and have blessed us with 9 Grandchildren who we adore. My husband and I are looking at our final destination with a different set of eyes. Our hearts are together, and love is going to take us to our next destination when I retire without the hesitation of looking back.
Good Morning and Thank you! Yes, the Lord has brought a great Chr. man into my life, an answer to my prayers. My “howevers” tho have been hanging around alot lately and I needed to hear your story. There is no doubt that the Lord is leading us towards a great future in Him. The details are his daughters, his home……a lot of things that may not matter from a Chr. everlasting perspective. I will keep praying but your story was a blessing to me today! Thank you! Blessings!
My fear is hidden deep down – thinking God won’t see it because I fear that in my walk with Him, there will be testing at some point,. I don’t know if I have the strength to withstand severe testing. I have two beautiful grown children and I fear losing them more than anything in my life. I have known people who have lost children and do not know how they endure. So, I have never said that out loud and try to hide that fear from God. But, He knows!!! I know He is faithful and just and is with me always and would give me what I need, but I just never want to turn away from God, but I also know people who have turned from God because of severe loss and anger….Be with me God and give me strength to pray past this fear. Thank you for hearing me….I love that I can say this here…
Hi Kristen,
I, too, came to your blog via Holley’s! I enjoyed the post very much, because I know this desert road of which you speak! A little over 13 years ago, we left the comfort of the Heartlands (aka the “Bible Belt”), in which I had spent the first 30 + years of my life. To say that I have felt like a fish out of water here in the Northeast is a vast understatement. Though it is not a physical desert, it has certainly been a desert like experience for this girl, but as you said in the post, sometimes through this kind of move He brings our “heart home”. That same 30 + years has had my dream “sitting far on the horizon and a hand waiting for results”. I have always said that I’m not good at waiting, but I guess all these years doing just that, may just be prove me wrong? ; ) Anyway, thank you for the encouraging reminder, and God bless you and yours in your journey of God-sized dreams! Thanks for letting me stop by!
Oh girl. I know. Really, I do.
God is good, isn’t He? I’m thankful He brought you by for a visit to my little “home” here, too. xo
Oh Kristen! I so needed this today! Not as much from a big-dreams perspective as much as the actual having to move perspective. In 3 months we will be moving to Texas because of the Army. Not thrilled about Texas. I am a winter girl, hate bugs, heat, and flat land. And yes, I’ve been quite whiny about all of that. Thank you for your encouraging words today.
I love this: “When I struggle to accept this, the best course of action is behaving my heart into the right place rather than waiting for the good feelings to show up first”, because I am someone who feels deeply and I’ve had to learn to examine my feelings carefully lest they control me, because feelings and emotions are fleeting and can easily deceive. It always takes my heart longer to catch up with my head. Thank you for sharing this today!
It’s so interesting the journey that God takes you into unexpected- sometimes completely unwanted places, and how God kneads your heart into acceptance, and then love of the mission he is calling you to.
Thank you for your encouragement this morning!
~Sarah
Once, long, long ago in a distant galaxie, well, it seems like it anyway! I was also a wife (to be) whose husband was being stationed in New Mexico. New Mexico? Really? There was Hawaii or Germany or California. New Mexico???? So, we got married and I went. Let me tell you about that desert. It was high plains desert, not the typical death valley scenario. And I thought all deserts were alike. Though it was hot and the four inches of rain it got a year came all on the same day with MOUNDS of lightening and thunder, there were people there who were friendly and I am still in touch with now. And the scenerey is really not as bleak as it seemed, just more on the ground than in the trees, unlike what I was used to experiencing. And artesian wells and bottomless lakes. And owls living in mine shafts.
So even though it didn’t look very fun or hospitable, the desert has a myriad of life giving elements, you just have to look harder and be more involved in the process to find them. And really, isnt’ that what we all are looking for, to be involved in life?
Another great post, Kristen! Love reading your encouraging posts! 🙂
During our move this time, I feel as though I’m being taught that I’m not in control. I can do all the planning I want, but ultimately God’s the one directing things! It’s been a long 8 months or so, but I can definitely see that God knew exactly what he was doing….DUH!!!
I have my fair share of pouting about many moves and not making the one move I want- to our farm at home. I live in such jumbled emotions anymore it’s hard to separate fear from exhaustion or just plain annoyance. I think there’s some resignation sprinkled in there, too. Overall, though, I have yo say that I’ve been through enough to say I can look backward and see strong evidence for walking forward into almost anything with a degree of confidence. That confidence isn’t in myself, but God’s faithfulness. I just have to remind myself that there is a greater plan, especially when I’m not totally on board with the process. Now if I could just learn to fully trust the process as well. I’m sure it would all be more rewarding. Sorry for rambling, but thanks for the opportunity & encouragement!
Kristen,
Thanks so much for sharing and encouraging me. I was just talking with some friends yesterday on how God gives us dreams when we pray to seek His will. The hardest part is allowing Him to direct our path to get there. He is faithful. I am so blessed.
Wow!!! The giant-sized dream series is really pressing me to understand God’s calling to me, where He has me now and how to stay here until He moves me to the next level in His calling on the road the my giant-sized dream. I certainly identify with the fear, not in moving to the next level, but staying where there are “unwelcome views.” I do complain and cry about this spot, which stops today, and still wish I could run to avoid this spot. It is terribly hard (on my own–I have learned) to stay.
Last week, I inquired about another spot, and was told that perhaps my attitude needed to change in my current spot. It was heartbreaking to hear but I did not get angry; I told her that I would consider what she said. Yesterday, during a Bible study between me and another woman, for a church organization, we studied Matthew 16:21 – 28. The portion that drew my attention are verses 24, 25: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (25) For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (NIV) This lets me know that as I relinquish my ideas of who I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to do, Jesus will lead me to the life that He has for me. If I hold onto my ideas, all I will have is my ideas. I will be in frustration, staying int he same spot, as I try to move into my idea of me, in my own strength. I will be of little or no use to Jesus because I refuse to allow Him to lead, choosing instead to lead my own life.
The Message interpretation of the above scripture says: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.”
I am truly thankful for the giant-sized dream support for such a time as this!!
So very grateful to my Lord for you and Hollie.
Thanks for sharing your story. It is so difficult to “carry on” when the road just doesn’t seem to fit the journey. I’ve avoided dreaming for several years, because I didn’t want to face the road and the pain that can sometimes be involved. I needed this reminder.God will always be in control, even when I’m not.
“It is so difficult to “carry on” when the road just doesn’t seem to fit the journey.” ~ It feels *exactly* like this sometimes, doesn’t it Melissa? Praying for you and all us girls here today.
I am in my desert season. My boys have left home and it is an every day struggle. I miss them so much. I find comfort in Him and know that this is just the beginning of a new season.
Hello Kristen!
I’m reading your blog for the first time today but certainly not the last. I love the way you write! I can relate to this post very much. My husband’s job took us back and forth across the country and I’ve had to learn to trust God that the feeling of HOME would follow my obedience. I can honestly say that the place I most didn’t want to move to was the place I never wanted to leave when it came time for our next job transfer. I can look back at all 6 of our moves and see why God moved us there for that particular season. He is so unbelievably gracious to us. I’m thankful for the many moves and all the amazing people and experiences it brought into our lives.
Thank you for sharing your heart through this blog. Absolutely blessed by your words.
Shelly
Portland, OR
Thank you for sharing! I grew up in a military family so moving is a part of life to me. What I am scared about it staying put! And right now God is keeping me in one spot for the foreseeable future. I married the man of my dreams three years ago and moved to his state. Now, I have long-term health problems that make it difficult to get out of the house. But some days I glimpse blue skies in my house because I KNOW God has a purpose for this stuff. I know He has made me a better me through being sick. I hope it doesn’t stay this way for the rest of my life but at least I know now that I’ll be better for it!
Yep, interesting to read this today . . . my husband asked me yesterday if I was “mad at the world.” It seems like every morning I get up and something else is falling apart or hurting. I am a cancer survivor but the treatment did a bad number on me (and it wasn’t even chemotherapy). My joints have disintegrated to a point that pain accompanies just about every day. And “mad” is my way to deal with “fear” . . . thank you for your words. I know God has this and He will use it for His purpose but sometimes I just want to be “mad.”
God bless you!
I have a huge God-sized dream but right now my “desert” (health issues, being a single “senior” lady, finances) has put equally huge obstacles in my path. I know there are reasons for those boulders & dry, treeless paths that seem to go nowhere. Your words today have reminded me to be accepting & rest in God’s Arms as I am not lost. God knows exactly where we are going. God bless you.
Hi, Kristen! I’ve so enjoyed following your blog. I love how encouraging and authentic you are. Your sharing-from-the-heart has really blessed my walk with the Lord. So…thank you! And blessings back!
This is a wonderful post – thank you Kristen! I think God is teaching me patience and dependence on Him right now, as I feel like many of my God-sized dreams are either on hold or being delayed for a reason. This wonderful GSD team and all of the words offered up are encouraging and inspiring me – thank you!
Beautiful post! My early years of marriage started out with many ‘deserts’, with my husband losing his job and money troubles, while also bringing two little ones into the world. It’s amazing to look back now, 11 years later, and see that our marriage would never be as strong as it is today if we had not gone through those dry times. God always knows what he’s doing – it’s a gift to always trust in Him.
Thank you for this timely reminder today.
Stopping in to say Hi and rest awhile. I love all the positive comments and stories you share. I have had many desert times but God always has a plan and will use what my life has been if I let him…you help me let him use me! Thanks for the love!
Hi! I have faced many fears in my lifetime. They used to consume me until God’s love for me became real. Then, I started to learn that “His perfect love casts out all fear”, and that “God had not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and of a sound mind”. As I started to face my fears with God one moment at a time (instead of running away), I saw His power eat up the fear and His promises come to pass. It is still a process with every new situation, but I know God is greater, so I choose to face any fear with Him. Bless you all!
I love this: “The reality is God waters dreams and nurtures hearts no matter how bleak and barren the environment. And the same can be said for our God-sized dreams, too.”
My last job began as an answer to a prayer, because I had been unemployed for 6 months following a layoff. I was so very grateful, and yet, within months I was unhappy again, and wondering if I’d ever be happy at a job (it’s the one I wrote about in my post this week). God watered that dream that I didn’t even know was there, that I couldn’t see.
May your words encourage all of us as and our dreams, whether we are aware of them or not.
What a brave soul you are!
And I needed those words on behaving our hearts. I often wait for the feelings and miss out on the joys of faithful obedience!
I like that you behaved your heart. I’m having to struggle to be more than I’ve ever been before. God is speaking firmly “grow.” He loves me, I know that but it’s time to behave my heart and stretch.
I have let fear hold me back for years. Once I Let Go and Let God life has never been the same! Some days I still have the urge to run and hide but then I concentrate on Him and know that He has it all under control.
I love the desert symbolism and the peace you found there.
I am trying to learn to cast my cares and stand in His presence. I am traveling through a desert place right now as I struggle to come to grips with the loss of my son. It has been about 18 months and I have been riding the waves of the grieving process, always in the arms of my heavenly father. Today, I am in a desert, but the good news is I can see the oasis. Even through this I know that God is good all the time. Today is a struggle, tomorrow will be better.
http://married2mydreamman.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/to-cast-and-stand/
when i remember that God is writing my story with His hand, i can rest i His Grace and Mercy and find hope to carry on through the hardest of times!
I am slowly learning I am not in control, only God is. I have learned patience and strength and sole reliance on Him, when my second child was born prematurely. It’s been a long road over the past few years and extremely bumpy but each time I ask for His guidance and direction it’s there. Most times I have already tried to do something myself only to fall, before I realize let go and give it to God. A hard lesson indeed. Faith as small as a mustard seed, I need to keep that in focus.
Love the Post…Thanks for sharing your HEART!
Oh, it’s such a comfort to know that I’m not the only one who believes (every once in a while) that *I* know what’s best for me. LOL Silly us! G-d’s plan is much cooler than mine. 🙂
Thank you for this. I am trying everyday to just release my worries and cares to the Lord. He has never failed me. I fail myself by trying to do his job. I need to constantly remind myself he knows what he is doing.