“Would you move for your husband?”
It’s a question I’ve been asked before, but today I asked myself a different version: “If God told you that your husband didn’t live in San Diego, would you give up and tell Him “never mind – I guess I don’t really want a husband after all.’?”
The answer is a resounding “NO!” I absolutely would NOT tell God that. In fact, I’d simply increase my prayer of “Lord, bring us together! Put us both where we need to be to meet and start our life together!”
And what this did is really get me thinking about my dreams. My hopes. My desires. It had me start questioning what I’d be willing to sacrifice for what I say I really want.
So, would I move for my husband? Abso-freakin-lutely! Do I hear God calling me to move? Not at all. But I AM willing to. In fact, I’m confident that I will be once we meet, as I just am not at all envisioning my husband moving into my super cute, cozy, little one-bedroom apartment that I’m in now. I envision us moving into a home, together.
So, whether I’ll be moving somewhere within San Diego, or someone else entirely, it’s not really a matter of where so much as willingness to.
What would I do for my business vision? What would I do for the life I know I’m called to lead? What would I do for my dreams? My hopes? My desires?
I’d like to say that “I’ll do whatever it takes, at every single opportunity!” and yet there have been obvious missteps over the years where I did not live into that.
I haven’t always done “whatever it takes” and, to be honest, there has been some guilt and shame and disappointment around that. There’s been thoughts like:
- “Did I miss it?”
- “Did I screw myself over?”
- “Will this ever happen now?”
- “Why did I mess yet another thing up?”
- “Dang it! Will I ever get this right?!”
There were times where I intentionally shrunk back, in fear. And there were times where I was able to see the missteps after the fact. Hindsight is 20/20, yeah?
But I’m so thankful God gave me the name “Growth and Grace” for my business, because He’s giving me constant opportunities to operate in both. It’s one of those challenges that really has a weight to it, one that gives you reason to pause, and one that has you so grateful when you’re through to the other side.
It’s my mission. To bring growth and grace wherever I go – and I get to practice daily in my own life. It’s not perfect. In fact, it can be quite messy. But it’s necessary if you want to enjoy the fullness and richness of this life we’ve been blessed with.
As I’m “learning to dream again” (my 2022 focus), I’m finding that I’m also learning again what it takes to bring dreams to life, and I’m allowing myself to approach it in a new way.
I’m doing what I can to live in growth and grace with myself, with others, and with God at the very center.
Can I just tell you that it’s sooooo uncomfortable?! Like, argh!! It’s really REALLY not my favorite feeling. But when I look back at the highlights, the moments I’m proudest of, and the big-impact seasons in my life, they’re ALL after I’ve walked through growth and grace.
The key is using them both together. It’s like how love and truth go hand-in-hand. One without the other and there’s an off-balance. But put them together, and it’s harmonious. Beautiful. Oh so worth it!
May you find yourself playing in the fields of growth and grace as you navigate this remarkable life of yours!
