I sit at my kitchen table and look at our backyard with patches of green and yellow grass. Our one tree rose is flush with crimson tinged flowers with orange/peach centers. Its colors are like a vibrant sunset.

Today, I am green and brown grass, but I long to be like the tree described by Jeremiah.

I keep reading Jeremiah 17: 7-8 because "Trust" is my 2013 word.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons Flickr user Nicholas_T

v. 7 Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

      And whose trust is the LORD,

v.8 For he will be like a tree planted by the water,

     That extends its roots by a stream

     And will not fear when the heat comes;

     But its leaves will be green,

     And it will not be anxious in a year of drought

     Nor cease to yield fruit. - Jer. 17:7, 8 NASB

As I consider these verses, I realize the tree has proximity to water, and depth as evidenced by its roots extending into wet soil. My trust in God is revealed by my closeness to God.

Trusting God has been a gradual process for me.

In Ruthless Trust, Brennan Manning writes:

"Clearly, growth in trust cannot be self initiated...

 

But there is one abundant source of trust to which we must return again and again. It flows from the barren rock of Golgotha at the feet of the crucified Christ. Contemplate the incomparable love of Jesus as he suffocates to death...

Jesus crucified...is the power and wisdom of God, his love capable of transforming our cowardly, distrustful hearts into hearts strong in the trust that they are loved.

We do not have to do anything, except let our unworthy, ungrateful selves be loved as we are. Trust happens! You will trust him to the degree that you know you are loved by him." p. 177-178.

Elsewhere, Brennan notes ruthless trust will trust God regardless of circumstances. I have known friends (in real life, and online) who exemplify ruthless trust as they face pain, suffering and loss. They inspire me.

Ruthless trust knows God doesn't promise we won't suffer, only that we will not suffer alone. He promises His presence now and forever when we trust Him.

Ruthless trust allows one to be grateful.

I am not finished reading Ruthless Trust, and I know it will a lifelong journey of growing in ruthless trust.

This tree needs to sink her roots deeper into the Living Water.

This tree knows deep roots take time.

This tree is soaking her roots in Jesus, the Living Water.

So very grateful. What grace.

What about you? What are your roots sinking into?

Thanks for being here.

P.S. I may be taking a week break from blogging to soak more in His presence. Not sure yet, but if you don't hear from me, you'll know why.

Linking with wise Ann

And sweet and gifted friend Laura Boggess, 

Linking with encouraging and talented friend Jennifer Dukes Lee,

and the amazing Jen 

Dear God-Sized Dreamer,

Thank you for taking that scary first step and saying "Yes" to God's unique dream for you. Yes, brave and beautiful you.

We need you and your dream. It is part of the good works He has prepared for you (Ephesians 2:10).

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons Flickr user Moyan Brenn

Here are five truths to tuck in your heart as you dream and work:

1. No one else can do what you can do. You are called like Esther for a time like this.

You live where you do for a divine purpose (Acts 17:26-27). You have your own special blend of talents, passions, and struggles.

No one can talk, walk, think, laugh, love, sing, or write like you. No one.

2. Don't be like the apostle Peter, who asked Jesus, what about John, in response to Jesus' prophecy about Peter's life. Actually, I'm grateful their exchange is included in John 21:15-23 because it shows Peter's humanity.

Don't get distracted by what God has called someone else to do. Your job is to follow Him, and do what He asks of you. (I tell myself this a gazillion times per day.)

I love Justin's post on how comparing yourself to others will ruin you.

And if you become distracted, and who hasn't, confess it to Jesus, and re-focus your eyes on Him. He is delighted with who He made you to be (Zeph. 3:17).

3. Your dream is not the end game; growing closer to God is the ultimate prize. Don't turn your dream into an idol; only God is worth your worship.

I have tasted the sweetness of His presence, and there is nothing sweeter.

4. God equips you for what He calls you to do. You may feel inadequate, but if it causes you to rely only on God, you will be blessed (2 Cor. 12:9-10).

God is your adequacy, and His grace is more than adequate for your dream.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.- 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

5. God provided Mary with Elizabeth (Luke 1:36-45) after giving her the dream of being Jesus' mother.  Ask God to provide an Elizabeth for you, and seek how you can encourage another.

I would be honored to be your Elizabeth by praying for you today. Feel free to leave a prayer request in the comments, or e-mail me at soulstops (at) gmail (dot) com.

Your friend and God-Sized Dreamer,

Dolly

How can I pray for you? What truth do you need to remember as you pursue your God-sized dream?

P.S. Last year I wrote my Dream Series, which talks about the process of dreaming with God.  

Linking with Holley Gerth and other dreamers at

Congratulations to Holley Gerth on the release of her new book: You're made for a God-Sized Dream. Holley encourages us to pursue the dreams God places on our hearts.

You can also order Holley's book from Dayspring here, and if you use the code HOLLEY25, you can save 25%. (I ordered two copies: one for a friend)

Your dream doesn't have to be "big"(whatever that means), although it could be. God made us each unique so each person's dream will be different. A God-Sized Dream (according to Holley) is about having more of what God has for you and pursuing intimacy with Him in the process.

I read Alene's e-book, Graffitti:scribbles from different sides of the street, and I was captivated. First, by how God orchestrates events to bring two people together: Alene, a suburban mom, and Rick, a homeless man. Second, Alene's faithful steps of obedience inspired me.

God places different calls on each of our lives, and I enjoyed reading Alene and Rick's story. Just for you, today, Alene is offering her e-book for only 99 cents here. Read Alene and Rick's story and be encouraged to make a difference.

Here's Alene:

I was going about my routine-filled days when light pastel scribbles began to appear on my heart. Seeking God to understand this heart-graffiti the colors began to grow brighter.

Maybe you've been there. You sense the faint colors of graffiti on your heart, but you aren't sure what it all means. You seek. You search. You pray. "God, is this really what you are calling me to do?" Finally, a bold flash of graffiti paint splashes across your soul. You know what God is scribbling on your heart and it stops you in your tracks.

It's foreign.

It's scary.

It's new.

In Graffiti: scribbles from different sides of the street, you will read the story of what God painted on my heart. He seriously scribbled a call to serve in the inner city. When I first stepped out, my footing was unsure. My moves were full of doubt and uncertainty.

I didn't know what to do. Or even if I could. And so I prayed one day that God would give me an opportunity to bless another.

As I came down the hallway I walked over to the bench where the men were and said, “Hi! How are you doing today?” And with that I froze. I froze! Not another word came out of my mouth. I just stood there looking like a buffoon I’m quite sure! I didn’t know anything about being homeless. My mind couldn’t picture ghetto.

The curiosity within me wanted to know about the streets. And inside my head these thoughts raced: Alene, say something! You know whatever you say and do it’s as if you are doing it for Jesus, and here you stand speechless. Say something!

But I couldn’t. Not one other thing came out of my mouth. What word did I have that could comfort this man’s soul? What did we share in common for conversation? I hung my head low and turned and walked away.

The screaming thoughts in my head were intense: Alene, seriously! God provides you with an opportunity to love others and you just stand there. Jesus, I’m so sorry. Jesus, you were there and I missed an opportunity to serve you. I’m so sorry!

While I continued to beat myself up and remind myself how disappointed Jesus must be in me, one of the men hollered out: “Ma’am, you need to know I love you!”

Others around might have been wondering what was going on, and you might be thinking the same thing. But let me tell you the peace that came over me when that man spoke out, it was as if Jesus were trying to tell me: It’s alright. I know this is all new to you. So you froze – I still love you. I’m so proud of you for stepping out! That was the first encounter of me trying to step out into this new place Jesus was leading me. It wasn’t pretty. It was awkward.

Was I successful? It would seem a big NO would be the answer; however, I’d say “yes.” Because I stepped out and tried, I was successful.

Your journey is all about the steps you take in obedience, baby steps at first. I’ve taken many more since that day and with each scary step, God blesses me abundantly! (taken from Graffiti: scribbles from different sides of the street)

How do you understand the graffiti that God is scribbling on your heart? You take a step in obedience! God is looking for faithful people who will but listen to the scribbles on their soul and go. <---tweet that!

God will lead you places you never dreamed. Cool places! God brought a homeless man, Rick, across my path who loved to write. God showed me that although we were different we had so much in common.

Rick and I turned our writings in to a book. Graffiti: scribbles from different sides of the street. Oh how I hope you'll read and see how awesome the journey can be when you lay aside the fear that you'll be different and do what God is asking you to do. You will be inspired by the writings of this homeless friend. What is God asking of you? What is God scribbling upon your heart?  

POST BIO: Alene shares her everyday, ordinary life at her blog, Positively Alene. She’s a storyteller with a heart for the broken. Through her writing and speaking she captures the hearts of her audience and challenges the core of each soul to reach out and serve others. Also, you can find her on Twitter and Facebook. To get updates for her upcoming online Bible study click here.

Linking with wise Ann