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Jeff and Alyssa

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Relationships and Religion
Reach for the Moon

Reach for the Moon

Last updated on: July 13, 2015 at 9:46 am by Alyssa Bethke

Reach for the Moon 2015-07-13T09:46:48-10:00 Alyssa Bethke

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I stood side stage in the dark auditorium with tears rushing down my cheeks as I listened to Britt Nicole sing and share her heart with these girls from Oahu. These girls were dancing and lifting their hands without a care in the world. Free, true worship. No one cared what others thought, they just wanted to praise Jesus. This one girl, she must have been 14, got up on stage with Britt and started dancing like a free woman. Arms flaying, body moving, and the biggest smile covered her face.

“This must be what heaven is like”, I thought to myself.

Britt shared her heart behind her song Set the World On Fire. It was written for her mom, to encourage her to go out and do what God has called her to do. To do what God had been stirring in her heart for so long.

To follow her dreams.

To be brave, and have faith.

I, I am small but

You, You are big enough

I, I am weak but

You, You are strong enough to

Take my dreams

Come and give them wings

Lord with You

There’s nothing I cannot do

Nothing I cannot do

I’ve struggled with this since being pregnant with Kinsley. This tug of war at my heart of how to be a mom, and yet use the gifts God’s given me. How to be fully present for Kinsley, and yet still do what God created me to do- me specifically, what no one else can do. I’m learning that yes, there were always be lots of people who can do what I do, but not the way I do it.

I believe that we all have one calling, but it’s lived out in multiple ways. My gift looks different at different times, and ebbs and flows in different seasons. But one thing I cannot get out of my head since Rebekah Lyons shared it in Boston a few months ago- that I am Kinsley’s mom, but I’m also a daughter of the King. And I cannot forsake one for the other. They go hand in hand.

And the truth is, for so long I have forsaken being a daughter of the King, for being a mother. Not that I’ve stopped walking with the Lord in any way. But rather, I’ve put my gifting, my calling, on the back burner, for the sake of motherhood.

Now granted, there is a TON of grace. I mean, having a new baby is a STEEP transition! And throw in moving to an island in the middle of the ocean far, far away. Another STEEP transition! But it’s time. It’s time to walk on out, and trust the Lord to lead me to what He’s calling me to do. To step out in faith. To be brave. To walk in both of the roles God has given me- a mom AND a daughter of the King. I know that I’m new at this. I know that it’s going to take time to learn, and there will be seasons where I’ll be able to dedicate more time to writing, or discipling, or whatever it may be, than other times. There will be times where I’ll need to be extra available to Kinsley. We’ll have hard nights where I’ll need extra sleep during the day. We still have teethe to come in, and lessons to learn, and fun to be had. Tantrums will need to be gracefully dealt with, and I myself will need to spend a good chunk of time learning some sign language, preparing snacks, & learning how to lovingly lead Kins through her feelings and frustrations.

But I’m willing. I know it’ll be messy, but God is a God of great grace and freedom and patience. He’ll lead me.

Every one of us has dreams that God has placed deep within our hearts. They’re from Him. They’re like little treasures that He’s given us in hope that we will walk by faith and do them. For His glory. For our delight. I feel so weak. But in Christ I’m strong.

Whether you are a young mom, or a great grandma, the same truth applies. Let’s be brave and do the crazy awesome work God has given us to do, with His help, His strength and in His grace. Whatever that looks like for you. Crafting. Painting. Blogging. Photography. Planning events. Singing. Starting a business. Joining a bible study. Teaching. Mentoring. Starting a program. Cooking. Inviting people into your home, into your life. May we invite God to give wings to our dreams.

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