Thursday, June 2, 2011

What Dream Have You Given Up On?


Is there something in your heart to do? Have you silenced that still, small voice that once upon a time pleaded; Just try. You can do this thing. Have you buried your calling, shoved aside a dream that begged to be lived out?

Three years ago, God gave me a promise. You are going to write a book for Me. It wasn't audible, but it was clear. God confirmed over and over and over again, using His word to tell me what I would do.

My heart is overflowing with a good theme;
I recite my composition concerning the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
Psalm 45:1 


I would write for Him. Once my writing was complete, I would share what I'd written publicly. Unfortunately, as is my nature, I ignored, argued and even questioned His promise.

Lord, forgive me, but do you realize who you're talking to? This is me, remember? I'm a wife and a mom,end of story. I'm too busy with that calling. I'm disorganized, forgetful, and don't even know where to start. I am not able. I don't have the credentials. I barely have time to clean the bathrooms. I don't know enough about grammar. I can't.

 
Then came His answer. You're right. You can't, but I can.


Yesterday, one of God's most precious promises to me was released publicly. My book, Just Too Busy,  was launched into the world. When I checked the ranking last it was listed in the top 100 books for parenting today. (Never underestimate the power of family and friends to alter an Amazon ranking!) Thankful tears have come quite easy this week. Requests to speak publicly at women's events are making their way to me as well, just like He promised: I recite my composition concerning the King.

Friends, promises are God's specialty. Depending on who you talk to, there are between 3,000 and 8,000 promises in the Bible. No matter which camp you fall under, promises from God are reserved for His children.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. John 1:12

What promise has He given you lately? What are you arguing and debating Him about? Stop making excuses. Did I just hear you say, I can't? You're exactly right, you can't.

You can't. But, I can.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13



Interested in seeing how this new-author celebrated her book release, head over to my author site.


joanne kraft, just too busy-taking your family on a radical sabbatical, busy mom, christian mom, faith, christian parenting, parenting

21 comments:

Dawn said...

I love this story. Enjoy your celebration and stat watching!

And don't pinch yoursself too hard. It's real. Right there in front of you in pink, and green, and orange and yellow, and...

Beth in NC said...

I am excited for you Joanne! Congratulations friend!

Sigh ... you're convicting me. I'll leave it at that.

Aunt Angie said...

loved this. AND YOU!

Carrie Schmeck said...

Okay. That's the second blog *in a row* that spoke on dreams. Hmm. Perhaps I need to do some thinkin'.
So excited for you and your journey, Joanne.

. said...

Hello, I come to via another friends blog.. I am co~author of http://heartofthehome-blog.blogspot.com/ and I enjoyed browsing your blog and wanted to introduce ourselves.. Heart of the Home is a womens ministry reaching out to women with encouragement from Gods word and his design for women as wives, mothers, friends and etc.. Hope you will get a chance to stop by and visit us, and that we can become Blogging Buddies.. Have a great weekend.. God Bless

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Amazon just notified me that mine are on the way! You pick a day for me to post during your blog tour. I don't have a preference. Oh, and send me anything you want me to include (only as you have time).

I think I'm going to take your book to She Speaks and show it to Jeannie!

peace~elaine

Jodie in Australia said...

Congratulations Joanne.
I'm sure through your writing so many families will be blessed.

Tiffany Stuart @ Tea with Tiffany said...

This is SOOO exciting! I am thrilled for you! Love you

B His Girl said...

WOW Joanne! The Lord has shown Himself strong through you! 2 Chron 16:9 You believed and look at what He has done. I will b getting a copy. Go girl! B

Danie Marie said...

Yay Joanne! Your star is rising my friend. What a blessing you are, and what a blessing it will be to see what God is going to do through you. Rejoicing with you!
Danie Marie

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Congratulations on the release of your book.

sharon brobst said...

SO excited for you!!! And thank you for sharing this post...I believe I am in that place of telling God I can't... Thanks my friend

Brooke Nicole said...

oh my goodness Joanne!
I just emailed you talking about exactly this!!
God is guiding my computer mouse right now!!
Congratulations on your book!
Praise the Lord.

~Brooke

Wendy said...

Joanne,
What a precious post. Congratulations on your book, but also on the special place you're in, of seeing God fulfill a promise in your life--no greater blessing, I don't think!

God continues to call me to minister to younger, and older, moms through writing. I am pursuing the next level, both in blogging and with my Lord, and am excited to see how He will fulfill the dream that He has placed in my heart, to bear MUCH fruit in the lives of women--writing, speaking perhaps, however He wishes.

Come and see my new look (I've just made the move from Blogger to WordPress--woohoo!) and I'm lovin' it! Some "unpacking" yet to do, but it's great.

So happy for you. Thanks again for this wonderful post. I love God-given dreams! Lord, You are so awesome!
Blessings,
Wendy
Faith's Firm Foundation
www.wendygunn.net

Kathy Schwanke said...

Beautiful! I just read Elaine's post...I can't believe I was at She Speaks that year and SO MANY PEOPLE I have meet since were there too.

Congratulations on your new baby! I will be spreading the word, and getting a copy for me (even though my nest is mostly empty, I can encourage ppl with your wisdom!)

Blessings to you!
Kathy

Erica said...

I can't wait to get my hands on your book. I hopped over from Stop and Smell the Chocolate.
The phrase "are you in activity denial" intrigued me, b/c I think I just might be. My activities for next year seem to be disappearing one by one and it is kind of freaking me out, in a good way. I know the Lord has much in store, but I just have to get okay with not being busy!
I also published a book recently, so I know the journey...oh, the journey!
So glad to find you! Congratulations!

Michelle DeRusha said...

This is beautiful, Joanne -- and filled with the promise of hope! Thank you for the much-need inspiration today!

**Caleb** said...

Enjoying listening to your interview over at Grace Cafe! Look forward to reading this book.

bp said...

Oops, I was signed in with my son's blog on my previous comment!

Susan DiMickele said...

Yeah! So excited for you. God is good. And can't wait to pick up a copy!

Barbara said...

Oh Joanne I am so proud and honored to even be acquainted with you. What a blessing you are..I can hardly wait to get the book and read it. I have been away so long and coming back yours is the first big news I come into. I can hardly wait. Celebrate this wonderful time..You are a blessing and have been chosen to reveal some of His message to those who may not know....WOW...what an honor and I can't think of anyone more capable .....love ya girl!!

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