How Big Are Your Dreams?

Brave Girl Camp has made me think of many beautiful things about my life and the dreams I have for the future.

I started to think about how many people I have told my dreams to.

Why don't we always share our dreams?

I quickly realized how many people in my life don't really know a lot of the things that are quiet whispers in my heart.

That is ok.

These are sacred.

I have only begun to whisper those dreams out loud myself.

It took me a few years to even say them in my head. 

I would think about those dreams and picture them.

Sometimes clearly and other times in a cloudy fog.

I have started to share these bold, big and beautiful dreams with my husband.

I am not talking about small dreams.

The big ones.

The ones that once they slip past your lips you almost wish you could take them back.

Once they are out...people know.

When people know then there is the chance of failure.

I am the kind of girl  that really likes to do things that I know I will succeed in.

I have no plans on looking like an idiot in front of people.

The past few weeks since I have been home from Brave Girl Camp I have shared some of those dreams with my mom, dad and a good friend.

One of those people even laughed a little....and I was ok...a little bruised...but ok.

It is powerful to speak your dreams out loud.  Dreams take a lot of work. Support. Encouragement.

Why not let the people that love you be there to give your dream a fighting chance.

I had an interesting conversation with my mom last week. 

We were talking about dreams and I shared one of mine with her.

When I did it made me cry.

I felt really vulnerable and exposed. Maybe even a little foolish.

She had just heard a pastor talking about how we dream so small for ourselves sometimes.

God dreams big!

We need to dream so big that when they happen we will give all the credit to him.

Dreams that are so big that they could only happen when we give them to him.

I want to be a big dreamer.

I might fail. I might succeed.

I might look like an idiot.

I want to dream for myself and family the way I want my children to dream.

HUGE!

I want to dream so big that all the glory will go to the Lord for blessing my dreams.

How big are your dreams?

Are you dreaming for yourself like man does or like God?

"God delights to do impossible things through improbable people to impart exeeding grace to undeserving recipients".

Chip Ingram

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All photography from here.

Comments

[deborah]

I found my way here to read this. I am right there with you. Wondering and dreaming BIG, but often doing so quietly...for the same reasons. Taking baby steps forward feels safe...LEAPING is scary, but that is where the greatest rewards will come. So gald to have peeked into your little place here...it is lovely. xo

[mkg]

Keep dreaming big, bold, beautiful dreams that fill your heart with passion, joy, risk, and the wonder of seeing God show Himself GREAT through you!! I want to do some of that dreaming myself:)

[Jackie]

Yes! I feel the same way...I tend to keep things to myself too, but how will we know if our dreams can come true if we don't share them and live them? Sometimes I'm too afraid to even think about it, but other times I'm so excited that I want to burst with all the ideas. We just need to surround ourselves with people who believe in us and make us believe in ourselves.

[Julie]

You know, I don't even know what my dreams are any more! And I doubt I have told ones I've had to many people. It is a deeply personal thing... I'm so glad that you have people around you that you feel safe to share them with. :)

[Tracy]

I am so in love with this.

Dream BIG - so when it happens we can give all the glory to the Lord.

I needed that.

I've been bruised by telling my dreams to people, too. I'm like you - and want to do things I pretty sure I'll succeed in. It is HARD to be so exposed for a type-A like me!

I am so encouraged to speak my dreams. To dream BIG. So big it may be a bit uncomfortable.

I can't wait to hear about how He has blessed your dreams. He can do the unimaginable, impossible and incredible!

xoxoxo

[the wild raspberry]

my big dream right now is keeping my sister alive and healthy. i definitely need GOD for this dream. and i know HE will be there.

[susan]

beautiful jeanne, i too have lots of dreams but the fear of failing keeps them close to my heart.

[Karyn (French Charming)]

Such a timely post for me sweet friend. I hope all of your dreams come true. Don't worry what other people think, I really feel that when you put your dream out there it is the beginning of making them manifest!

I've had some hair brain ideas and at times maybe I have looked like a fool. I've had some of my dreams come true and was able to own my own business, it was the only time in my life that I knew I was doing EXACTLY what I was meant to do.

You have so much to offer...never stop dreaming! Thanks for this lovely post!!

[Lemonade Makin' Mama]

Am I dreaming for myself like man does or like God? I honestly never stopped to ask that of myself!

Today I'm dealing with the place where the dreams got dashed and I find myself wondering that exact thing. Were they just my dreams, or were they God's dream for me?

Something to chew on...

[Martha]

I really LOVE the dream BIG...it is so important...and more and more lately I have been sharing those. I have become...someone who is starting to share...still have some dreams I keep in...I'm not perfect or close to where I want to be yet...but encouraging...and supporting...one another is what it is about...how do we find those true supports...by sharing what is near and dear to us...even if we get hurt along the way...really beautiful post!

[melody ross]

I heart you, Jeanne Oliver...forever and ever and ever and ever and EVER.
I so needed to read this today.
you are a gift......beautifully packaged, even more beautiful inside.
xoxox
melody

[traci]

such a beautiful post jeanne. i have never thought of dreams this way. i need to start dreaming big!!! xo!!

[tammi]

Thank you for your fabulous post. I too have big dreams that I share only with myself. To share with anyone else would be like wearing my heart on my sleeve.I would feel to vulnerable. One of my(small) dreams is to be a blogger someday but I am afraid no one would read LOL.

[Christi]

This reminds me of Esther...for such a time as this. What if she had been afraid? ---Perfectionism can be such paralysis. It's fear. Fear to fail. Fear is not of God. It's the enemy's scheme. Just as the lion roars to paralyze it's prey.

Thanks for sharing...I so enjoy your blog!

Christi
Brenham, TX

[tracey]

YOU should dream big Jeanne, we can all see that you are a star on the rise and destined to continue to do great things...you are so very talented!!! I left this quote on Becky's blog one time, but it is one of my favorites, so I will share it with you. I came across it one time but didn't write it down right away so I might botch it up a bit, but here's the jist of it: 'when my time is done and I stand before You, I want to be able to say, "I have nothing left to give, because You gave me a gift...and I used it..."'

:) T

[Destiny (The Ruffled Nest)]

This was so nice to read. I used to have BIG dreams, but somehow set them all aside and have kept them covered up since becoming a wife and a mother. I sometimes feel that I owe it to myself and to God to respect my own dreams and not just the dreams of others. I know that I would be supported if I ever spoke up with them, but like you, am fearful of not succeeding in those dreams. Thanks for such an inspirational post Jeanne!

[Mikal]

Oh my stars... what a powerful message you've shared... I'm inspired... fearful, but inspired!

Thank you,

Mikal

[Karina]

Amazing post! I am so...fired up!
Your words bring to my mind this quote...

“Come to the edge, he said. They said: We are afraid. Come to the edge, he said. They came. He pushed them and they flew.”

Guillaume Apollinaire

(French Poet and Critic who helped to direct poetry into unexplored channels, 1880-1918)
..................

God bless you & take care,
Karina

[christina]

jeanne... what a happy accident this was stumbling across your blog. this post is so inspirational. so many people are afraid to embrace & truly live their dreams, not realizing a dream is a gift given to you to be shared with the world. living out my dreams has been both my life's greatest joy and greatest struggle. several years ago, when i took the plunge and opened my first store, my father gave me a book titled "the dream giver" by bruce wilkinson. when my dream was challenged this year by the economic crisis, i read the book cover to cover. it is truly one of the most inspirational books for dreamers and i think would be a wonderful guide to help you navigate your dreams. a dreamer is a person who's life is in motion, and this is only the beginning of a grand adventure.

christina
sage creek

[Jocelyn]

Thanks so much Jeanne. I really needed that one today :-)

[Lora]

Love the pictures and this blog so much. My husband and I are trying out a new business... multi-level marketing.. and there are so many skeptical people who have absolutely lost the ability to dream. I have sheets and sheets of paper and computer files of ideas that I come up with and plan everything out. Some of them are just dreams, but some of them I've actually tried. It makes me sad for people who go to their jobs everyday and come home every night and never dream of anything more. Thanks for your wonderful post.

[jules white]

Jeanne, how beautiful. thank you for sharing....words that inspire, words that i completely identify with, and words that need so meaningful....have a great day or should i say evening, jules

[Debra]

I loved your post today. We DO need to dream big and give God the glory! We have to stop being afraid of revealing our dreams for fear of failure for with God there is no failure. sometimes He just gives us a different answer to our dreams!

[Serena]

Jeanne,
It starts with a little dream. I know.
xoxo

[koralee]

Love your words today...so so inspiring. I really need to start dreaming BIG! Your images also inspire! xoxox