Have you ever felt small? Insignificant? Worried that maybe you weren’t having an impact? Well, I’ve had this unreal week where everything seems to keep circling back to that sentiment. I have been gifted with a group of friends from the God-sized dream group that have encouraged me and given me fresh perspective on all this God-sized dreaming business. But they’re not without questions and doubts of their own. We were talking about swapping a few guest posts, and one woman who I adore said, “I’d love to join in, but I don’t think my blog is as popular as some…so what’s holding me back is the thought that someone would work so hard on a guest post and then might not be read by as many people….I sort of lost my courage to guest post.”
Well, after letting her have it because she rocks and you guys would LOVE hearing her words, I started thinking about how much we measure ourselves by some imaginary measuring stick. We have some idea of what “big” or “important” or “significant” looks like and we’re just small…
This happens to those of us career women and I’ve written about overcoming that struggle even though I was dealing with it even last week. This happens to us mommas and you know those measurement battles when you have kids. This happens to us bloggers and writers and speakers. It happens to friends and wives and pretty much anyone who breathes air. You figure someone else is breathing air better or at least breathing more important air.
The fearless leader of our God-sized dream crew shares this in her beautiful book, You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream, “What you’re doing isn’t small if it’s what God has for you. It’s big. And it may just lead to something even bigger. Make the most of where you are right now. Give everything you have. God has so much in store for you. And he has so much for you right here too….In case you haven’t heard it lately, thank you. Thank you for what you do. Especially when it seems no one sees. Especially when you wonder if it matters at all. It does. And you do too.”
Oh friend, if you feel small today, don’t wear that as a demoralizing label. Drop the measuring stick. It’s not real. I assure you that the God that formed you into being and knows the number of hairs on your head isn’t using it. Let’s get past this insignificance we cling to. God created you with a purpose and has so much planned for you, in the now, and in the future. Hold fast. Stay strong.
I close with this absolute treasure about how small is just right. Lisa Jo Baker shares this wisdom that spoke to my soul in the midst of all my small-feeling, “Small, my friend, is exactly the right size. Small is understanding ourselves in true relation to the God who made us…. Small is fitting into our own shoes. Small is how the Savior fit into our skin. Small is the size of every new beginning. Create without a measuring stick. And after a while you might forget the size of your voice.”
Oh, couldn’t you just go on that for days? Small is how the Savior fit into our skin. Small is the size of every new beginning.
How fitting this week we celebrate Easter. Small, in His hands, is a pretty wonderful place to be.
Gindi, I needed to read this today. I didn’t chime in on the conversation for the very same reason…my space feels so small. I feel so small. Thank you for this encouragement and reminder that if it’s what He’s asked of me, then it’s just the right size! I so often get caught in the web of comparison and wishing I had a blog like so-and-so or an audience like her or her. Though it’s a sloooow process, He’s teaching me to be content with where I am and the dreams He has for me. 🙂 You are a blessing, sweet sister!
Thank you Mel. That comparision game is a killer for me, but God is faithful and keeps bringing me back home.
Gindi, thank you so much for your encouraging words. I often struggle with feeling insignificant or somehow *wrong* in my blogging life, or in my choice to be a SAHM or even in how I mother my baby girl. Today you’ve reminded me that God formed me for the job He has called me to perform, with all the skills that I need to do just what He wants me to do. Thanks for blessing my day!
Oh I know Carlie, we all do. But you are his gift, and you are making an impact. Small can be the perfect size sometime.
You better hope my husband is somehow able to run a marathon by October and I’m not at Allume because you are in big trouble!! : )
Love this post so much. You said it all right here. Thank you for those wise words, friend.
You inspire me – as you know, and you will do brave things!
🙂 This makes me smile-so big! for many different reasons! I think I could read Lisa Jo’s quote every day, it’s that important to remember. Small is BIG!
I know Alecia – I need to frame it somewhere!
Wise words, friends. Thanks for sharing them with us.
I wish I could reach through this screen and give you a sister hug to thank you for sharing your heart today. God’s words, through you, is exactly what I needed to hear after a day of fighting with myself due to that silly non-existent measuring stick.
“Small is how the Savior fit into our skin. Small is the size of every new beginning.” So lovely. If this isn’t a Click to Tweet, I don’t know what is 😉 I’ll tweet it for you!
Thank you – I’m going to go back & read the click to tweet!