A Girl Who Loves Check Marks

One Dream Step At A Time

Check marks! I love them. They bring satisfaction and accomplishment. I love making a list of things to do, and then checking them off one by one. I bet I have friends reading this today who can relate to this obsession! It makes me see progress, one little step at a time. Years ago, I started writing out small goals towards my dreams and my prayers over them. Although it was not always long and rarely fancy, they are a reminder of the answered prayers that could have been forgotten. When I have moments when I feel like God is not listening or caring, I look back and see God's hand, like check marks, in the story of my life. He was leading me in little steps and building character, trust, and peace along the way.

Often when we think of dreams, we have this one big thing that we are waiting for God to fulfill. We can get so caught up in the big one,that we miss out on the little dreams and answered prayers that God provides. As I am now in middle age (I really can’t believe I just said that), I can look back and see all the little dreams God fulfilled according to His will. It’s important to note according to His will, here. God is still faithfully in the driver’s seat even when the trip seems too long.

The times when I thought I would be stuck forever in this one thing, I was in training as God was preparing me for the next thing. The times I thought neither I nor my kids would ever get “it”, God was sculpting us for His glory and beauty. In a season when I thought my marriage had met an insurmountable problem, he brought redemption through a process.

The point is this: I wrote it down all along the way. Today, as I reflect on the dreams I have for my career, ministry, and family, I can see how God provided all along the way, step by step. My worries and fears are in His hands, as He has the pencil and marks off my progress and growth.

What God has called us to do does not happen overnight. He forms us and shapes us one step at a time. Today, I encourage you to write it down and be grateful for what you think are the small dreams and prayers God has answered.

Reflection

What is one small answer to prayer you could write down today?
What could change in your life if you acknowledged the small things God has done?
What things hinder you from writing out your prayers and dreams?