We’ve talked often about God-sized Dreams around here. I asked my dear friend and fellow (in)courage writer Kristen Welch to help us continue the conversation over a year ago. Kristen launched The Mercy House, which exists to provide alternative options for pregnant girls living in the streets of Kenya. The Mercy House aids them in nutrition, housing, prenatal care, counseling, Biblical teaching and job skills for sustainable living. I’m sharing Kristen’s words again and I asked her to give you an update too.
The house was quiet. My family had been asleep for hours. The night was still, but my thoughts weren’t.
I knew if I closed my eyes, I would see her face again.
I’ve never thought of myself as a dreamer.
I’m a realist, I would say to the gleam in my hubby’s eye, the one he’d get right after he shared one of his big ideas.
I like my feet on the ground. I like to know the beginning and the end. I like safe things.
After returning from Africa in March with Compassion International, I knew I was being called to a God-sized dream.
I was able to push it off during my busy day, hectic with kids, but at night- all the suppressed thoughts would surface in my dreams.
She was there, feet caked with mud, her eyes distant. Hollow. She was looking, desperately searching for something.
It was hope. And she had none.
When God began dropping the dream of The Mercy House into my heart, and connecting the dots-mine with others who had the same recurring dream, I wanted to run.
It’s too big. This is too big for me.
(What I was really saying? God, I’m scared. This isn’t safe. I can’t.)
But then I was reminded:
“God gives us dreams a size too big so that we can grow into them.” – unknown
He wants us to stretch, reach beyond ourselves, our own capabilities. It’s there that we grow into our God-sized dreams.
I’m clothed in a dream a size too big. I have more questions than answers, more fear than courage. But I have asked Him what He requires of me and He has answered:
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
Does your dream feel too big for you? It probably is. But God is bigger.
Now when I see her face, I don’t turn away. Because hope is on its way.
Would you consider visiting The Mercy House and loving mercy with me?
by Kristen Welch
blog: We Are THAT Family
book: Don’t Make Me Come Up There! Quiet Moments for Busy Moms
P.S. It’s been a year since we opened the doors to Mercy House in Kenya. We now have 8 rescued girls, 5 babies and 3 more due this month! We’ve endured so much this past year–spiritual warfare, doubt and fear, hardships, but where love abounds, grace abounds more! We have seen miracles, witnessed God’s protection and have taken off our shoes on Holy ground. Wow, it’s amazing when God writes a story, isn’t it? And this is only the beginning…
You can support The Mercy House by doing something you already love to do…shopping! Kristen and her husband have created beautiful items that will support this God-sized dream when you purchase them. Kristen also has a new ebook called That Works for Me with fabulous tips for your everyday life. And because she’s so generous, Kristen is giving away five of the paper hearts shown in the photo above. To enter, visit The Mercy House online and then leave a comment below by midnight on Monday saying that you did!
Would you like to leave a comment or Subscribe by Email?
