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It’s hard to believe one year ago The Farm Wyfe blog was created. In fact, it’s the funniest story ever, so I’ll tell you about it. This crazy opportunity to attend a writing and speaking conference was offered to me, something I never would’ve been able to attend on my own, so I was thrilled. But all the hype ahead of time was “platform this” and “platform that” and I had no idea what they were talking about. I figured out quickly though because I had a coveted meeting with a publisher and apparently I needed a platform in order for them to take my book idea seriously.

I love writing and mentioned the possibility of starting a blog to build a platform to my sister in law. I even emailed her a few sample blog posts to see if she thought anyone would read them. A few days later, I was scrolling through my Facebook when a little red flag popped up on my notifications. I clicked the link and it was an invitation to like The Farm Wyfe facebook page–complete with a brand new blog link and blog posts already on there! Surprise!

Easiest thing I’ve ever done! ha! Seriously, my sister in law is amazing and I’m thankful for her encouragement, her technical support and all her suggestions for blog posts when I can’t think of anything to write about.

I’ve reflected on the past year and it amazes me how God works in my life –and yours too–to accomplish His will. He has called me to write and He is equipping me every day– from this conference I had the privilege of attending with 799 other Christian women writers and speakers to the online courses and speaking opportunities. Just when I think, “I can’t do this anymore,” someone offers a word of encouragement to push me over that little hump so I can keep on truckin’.

Someone asked me the other day where I saw myself five years ago and it took me a minute to answer. I imagine I’ll be five years closer to growing old with Hubs and we’ll be five years closer to the teenage years with our six young’uns. To imagine myself beyond that felt like I was just asking for disappointment if I dared to hope and dream but they never came true.

I was reminded of these words of Michael Hyatt I heard recently, “Your goals are just dreams until you write them down.” I finally allowed myself to put pen to paper and record my goals, my hopes and dreams for my family, the farm, my writing, and even our homeschooling! It was so overwhelming, I just sat and cried. It must’ve just been a bad week because I wouldn’t normally cry about that but hey, a girls gotta let it out sometime so I did.

I thought about making a list of everything God did in my life this past year or everything He could do in yours in the next year but I didn’t. Not only are the possibilities are endless but if you are just willing, He can use you to build His kingdom in mighty ways.

What are your hopes and dreams? Have you allowed yourself to consider the possibilities? Are you a stay-at-home mom wondering what God can do with you and your kids? Are you a working woman wondering how God can use you in the office? Are you leading a Bible study and waiting for the Holy Spirit to move in your group? What about at your church –what are your hopes and dreams for it?

If I could offer anything from my experience in the past year, here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. This means you’ve got to be spending time in the Bible, reading it and meditating on it, memorizing Scripture and hiding it in your heart. You can’t know God’s Will if you don’t know His Word.
2. Be willing. As I child, I heard a missionary from Romania tell how she’d prayed, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.” God answered her prayers, sending her across the world to minister to an orphanage in Romania. So I spent the next ten years thinking if I asked God to send me, He would choose Romania. Fortunately, He didn’t send me there or I wouldn’t be married to Hubs with six kids living on a farm BUT He did call me to write. When God calls you, He doesn’t call you AWAY from your family so I still struggle with finding time to do what He’s called and balance it with ministering to my family first but I know my faith and family come before writing.
3. Be transparent. Just be real. What a difference we would make if we would all just be real with one another instead of this façade that we have it all together and life is perfect. It’s not a perfect life and we all struggle, so share your pain and suffering, and encourage one another in the faith.
4. Be patient. Throughout the Bible and my own experience, I’ve seen where God calls and equips before He uses so just be patient when things don’t happen as quickly as you want. Know God is smoothing your rough edges and working out the details before you.
5. Be humble. Oh man, could I write about being humble! Ok, not really…I could write about pride though! As a behind-the-scenes girl, I’ve had to adjust to being in front of people lately and be super careful not to let their comments and praise go to my head. I have to remind myself daily, this isn’t about me –it’s about God.

If the Holy Spirit is leading you and you know this thing on your heart is God’s will, don’t rush ahead of Him. Pray without ceasing and let God work through you. I’m excited to hear what God has done in your life during the past year and where He’s leading you. Please share below!