Is My Dream Too Small?
Is My Dream Too Small?
I’ve read a number of motivational books lately, and also follow personalities who fire us up with their zeal for Big Dreams.
Dream Big!
Be a Boss Babe!
Holy Hustle!
Don’t Settle for Less than Your Full Potential!
Be who you were meant to be!
You Can Do Anything! Everything!
Do. All. The. Things!
But…what if my dreams are small? Gentle? Cozy?
What if I don’t want a vacation home in Hawaii? To be founder and CEO of a bustling company? I know this is crazy, but I actually don’t care much about a six figure income. A year-round speaking schedule in huge venues speaking to thousands?
No. Thank you, but no.
Is It Wrong to Have Small Dreams?
Is My Dream Too Small?
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Hear what I say right now. This is important. I enjoy those motivational “Big Dream” books.
I follow several go-getters on social media and learn from them continually. I’m not dissing Big Dreams, by any means.
But sometimes when I read these things?
I feel guilty. Less than. Shamed.
Last week I read a quote, and I’ve been mulling it around in my mind. In fact, I found it so profound that I immediately ordered the book from Amazon. The indescribably lovely and thought-provoking book is called Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren (here’s a link to order this one. Believe me, you want it!). I’ve barely begun, and my copy is all marked up already!
The quote which lead me to the book is from a sign hanging in a New Monastic Christian community house:
“Everyone wants a revolution. No one wants to do the dishes.”
No one wants to do the dishes.
Isn’t it true? We want to do big, important things. Noticeable, dramatic things.
We forget that the “big” things aren’t the only important things.
Someone needs to wash the dishes and the clothes.
The vegetables need to be chopped, the soup prepared.
Noses must be wiped and diapers changed.
Snuggling and rocking and story-reading: they’re important.
Toilets don’t scrub themselves.
Someone has to wipe up the spills.
Important, important, important.
God Sees the “Small Dream” People
We serve a God who values faithfulness in the big and small. In fact, I see no evidence that God even makes a distinction!
Our God chose a most unlikely candidate to be king. Samuel looked at a fine specimen of a man and thought “surely this is God’s anointed!” But God rejected the obvious candidate because he was looking at the heart. Motivations, faithfulness…that’s what God wants for His man…or woman. (1 Samuel 16:6-7)
David–a man after God’s own heart–decreed that the men who “stayed by the stuff” and guarded the baggage were to be rewarded with the spoils of war just like the men who actively fought the battle. (1 Samuel 30:21-25)
Jesus looked at busy, bustling, serving Martha…and then commended quiet, still, listening and learning Mary. (Luke 10:38-42)
When it was time for the offering, Jesus looked at a widow with her minuscule two mites, and declared that she had given more than anyone else. (Luke 21:1-4)
Faithfulness
I see you, momma of the child with special needs who will require faithful care all of his days.
You, caring for your disabled husband.
Your elderly parent.
I see you in your wheelchair, spending your time in prayer and writing encouraging notes to others.
My friends with chronic illness? I feel your discouragement at your limitations, your nagging (and untrue) feelings of uselessness.
I open my eyes to really see:
You, the one who faithfully scrubs floors.
Wipes bottoms.
Vacuums the church carpet.
Helps your parents with their finances.
Takes meals to the sick.
Works the soup kitchens.
Takes your friend to her chemo treatments.
Fervently prays.
Encourages others.
Takes the time to build deep relationships.
Upside Down Kingdom
In God’s economy everything is topsy-turvy. The first shall be last. Less is more. Little things are big things. Sinners become saints, appearances don’t mean a thing, and everything–everything–is about the heart.
God is looking for pure hearts (2 Timothy 2:22). Humble hearts (James 4:10). Repentant hearts (Acts 3:19).
He’s looking for Christians who love, serve, and give faithfully. (Matthew 25:21).
Big dreams. Little dreams. What human can tell which is which?
If God has called you to a “Big Dream”, I’m cheering you on! Go do it!
To those of you faithfully living your “small dreams”:
Thank you for being willing to wash the dishes.
Your faithfulness changes the world.
Where are you in your journey? Big dreams? Small dreams?
Please share how you are being faithful.
Related Posts
Finding Joy in the Mundane
How to Find Joy in the Mundane
How to Cultivate Community One Cup at a Time
Seeking Beauty in Barren Places
When You Feel Like a Failure
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Linking up with other bloggers: #BVN Network Party, Porch Stories, Let’s Have Coffee
Who gets to decide what ARE big dreams and small dreams? We are all different in our hopes and dreams so we just have to content in what we want for our own life! It’s like the way my kids urge me to get out of the house and go places as if by me being content to stay at home is a bad thing! Just because I’m older doesn’t mean I don’t have the ability to decide what,and when,I want to do. Would I be a better person if I were constantly going places ,or would I ultimately be the same person? I think each of us should be able to chart our own path in life,and we shouldn’t be made to feel less than who has different goals for themselves!
Yes! Exactly, yes! I just read a fascinating article about former President Jimmy Carter and how he’s chosen a simple, frugal, quiet life after his presidency. I’ll find the link and tag you on Facebook, because it was sweet and thought-provoking.
SO GOOD! The world is constantly pushing us to focus on ourselves, and we can easily forget the value of the small moments— and that any act of service is no small thing in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. Thanks for sharing your heart. ❤️ I am thrilled to connect with you!
Yes! I know I have to continually remind myself that I’m here to serve!
Very thought provoking. I personally believe that all dreams are big dreams as we all need each other regardless of the task that we are doing. Without a vision the people parish. It doesn’t state how big the vision needs to be. We were all created unique with different gifts and talents. I cheer everyone on as they press forward into all that created them to be. Big or small — they are all the same size in Gods eyes. Big or small — we all need each other. If you are meeting that need — I say there is no comparison.
I like that—all dreams are big! Yes!!
Oh, my! This is so very relevant for me. I have always been a small item, everyday item girl, then woman. I taught hundreds of little ones how to read, to add numbers. I cared for Mama for 15 years. I just cared for my dying husband for 5 months. He has recently gone Home to glory. These are all big in one sense, but small sitting next to the CEO of some giant company. The lists you gave of the things that must get done, reminding me of all those who do those tasks, need to be appreciated everyday. Thank you, to each one of you who thinks you are doing mundane and tiny things. You are the CEO of the most incredible worth. I am learning to accept that which God has given to me and allow Him to tell me I am worthy. I am. So are you!
I love this, Linda! It sounds like you have been faithful in many things. I know God will reward your faithfulness with, “Well done.”
Kim, thank you so much for reminding us the importance of the “small” jobs and “small” dreams, which are not so small after all! All those seemingly menial tasks are important and we could not really do without them. God does call some of us to do the small things, but in His eyes there are not any small things. It is all important.
Blessings to you! Thanks for visiting my blog today.
Thank you for your encouraging words. I agree, God just sees faithfulness!
I LOVE this. I get so restless about what I am supposed to be doing to serve, but know that in some ways I need to content myself with where God has me. Visiting you from Holley Gerth’s link up today. laurensparks.net
Thank you for visiting today! I agree we need to be content with serving God faithfully where we are right now. ☺️
Thank you so much for this!! It can get so overwhelming to constantly hear dream big, andy our dream isn’t big enough, etc… Reading your post was like taking a much needed breath of fresh air and drink of nice cold water on a busy hot day. Wonderful post.
Thank you, Jaunita. You’ve encouraged me!
Beautiful encouragement, Kim! Every job makes a difference!
Thank you, Kelly!
Wow, I love this so much! Thank you for the encouragement to be present in the mundane things!
Thank you for reading, Rachael! 💕
Thank you so much for this. I know you wrote this awhile ago, but I came across this today and it was very freeing for me. There is a lot of push to fulfill big dreams. I was pursuing one and getting worn out and it felt like my priorities were out of whack. This was a relief to hear that I can just be content with my smaller dreams and if it grows bigger in the future that’s ok. I don’t need to hustle and dream big right NOW. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your comment! You’ve really encouraged me. This is something I frequently battle, and it’s good to know I’m not alone. 😊
Reading your post today was perfectly timed, as just this morning I was praying over dreams and trying to figure out what my dreams are…as a mom of two young children, my days are filled with the mundane and I’m certainly living the small dreams. Your words were encouraging to me and I will continue joyfully and faithfully in my small dreams during this season of life.
I’m so thankful to encourage you. You’re doing most important work!