Five Ways to Make It Happen by Lisa Harris

It’s hard to believe that 2012 is right around the corner. I always look forward to the New Year, as it’s a fresh start with new dreams, ideas, and goals. One thing that I’ve been thinking about lately is what I want to accomplish in the coming year and how I can get there. What are my dreams in ministry, mothering, and writing?

Here are my five ways to make it happen. They might sound elementary, but for me it’s been a good reminder of how I can keep myself on track in following these dreams.

Start today, not tomorrow: I’ll let you in on a secret. You don’t have to wait until New Years Day to start working on your goal. Okay, I know you know that, but if you’re like me, it’s easy to tell yourself that you’ll try again next January 1st. After months of too much Mexican food and all the other yummy things I love to eat while in the US on furlough last year, we returned to Africa, but weeks went by, and I kept putting off getting back into my normal exercise routine. Trust me, I had a lot of excuses and I was busy, but one day I decided it was time to stop making those excuses and lose those extra unwanted pounds. And to stop putting it off. It would have been easy to just wait until January, but now, I’m so glad I didn’t keep waiting until tomorrow.

Take a leap of faith: Last year, Scott told me he wanted me to start a non-profit that would help fund many of the projects needed to help people’s physical needs. To be honest, I didn’t see myself running a non-profit. At all. But the need was great, and despite the fact that I felt ignorant on the subject I knew I needed to at least try. In looking back over the past first year, I’ve been amazed at how God has been so faithful, because it certainly wasn’t my brilliant marketing skills. To date, over $10,000 has been raised to build houses for the homeless, pay for medical care, fund micro-loans, distribute vitamins, pay for school supplies for those in need and much more. So even if something is outside your comfort zone or normal box, don't let that stop you. Take a leap of faith and watch God work!

Set small, daily goals: This is something I’ve learned to be essential in my writing. An entire 85,000-word novel is daunting…unless you tackle in small pieces. Set a goal for a week, a goal for each day. Give yourself some wiggle room, and then go for it…One day at a time.

If you get off track, don’t beat yourself up: Let’s be honest, how many of us start full speed on our goals in January, but by March we’re completely off track. So what do we do? We quit. (I know, I’ve been there!) But think about it, it doesn’t matter if it’s April or October, reset your goals, start moving toward them, and you’ll see progress. That progress is a huge motivation!

Find an accountability partner: It always helps to have someone cheering for you, and it’s even better if they are reaching toward the same goal. Blog about your journey, join a group or a ministry to get you started, find a prayer partner, tell a friend and in turn you will see your motivation grow.

The bottom line is that it’s never too late to follow that dream. I don’t care if you’re eighteen or eighty, God can use our talents, gifts and dreams. Just be willing to step out on faith and trust Him. 

"If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ."  I Peter 4:11

So what about you? What’s your dream? How can you start making it a reality today? I love to hear your thoughts as well as ways that have helped you make it happen!

Be blessed,

Lisa

Lisa Harris is a wife, mom, teacher, author, dreamer, photographer, but most importantly a follower of Christ Jesus.

She currently live with her husband, Scott, and two of their children near the Indian Ocean in Mozambique as church-planting missionaries, while their oldest is loving his first year at a missionary boarding school. 

A Crown, a Shepherd Boy, and a Handful of Torches by Lisa Harris

Do you ever feel like you may not have what it takes to make it as a writer? You’re not alone. It’s likely that most of us doubt our abilities at one point or another. This Fortifying Friday, guest author Lisa Harris offers encouragement for those days when we wonder ...

A Crown, a Shepherd Boy, and a Handful of Torches
by Lisa Harris

I don’t know about you, but as a writer, I have found that my character’s spiritual journey often mirrors things that are happening in my own life.

In my latest release, Blood Covenant, the main character, Paige, feels far too small for the task God is calling her to do—something I can certainly relate to at times. Throughout the course of the book, she comes to the realization that if she is going to survive, she will have to admit her weaknesses and fears, and rely completely on God’s strength.

Paul has some powerful words in II Corinthians 12:9-10 that have to do with our weaknesses.

“…he said to me. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me…For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (NIV)

Paul is telling us that it is through our weaknesses that we are made strong because of Christ’s power. I don’t know about you, but those words sound pretty incredible to me. And there’s more. At the greatest moment of weakness, according to the world’s point of view, Christ’s death on the cross brought victory, allowing God to enter into a relationship with us through that sacrifice. He loves us that much.

Still thinking you’re too small? Think again.

There are numerous examples in the Bible of men and women who God called to serve Him in an extraordinary way through His power. Gideon was victorious with only three hundred men, a handful of trumpets, jars, and torches. Esther became queen in order to save her people from the threat of death, David was a shepherd boy who became king of a nation, and the list goes on and on.

So what does that have to do with you?

God calls us in the middle of our ordinary, run-of-the-mill, take-out-the-trash-and drive-the-kids-to-school routine. So stop and ask yourself this one question. How do you see God calling you to make a difference in your world?

You might feel inadequate to follow God’s call as a writer, a parent, student, or whatever your situation might be, but never forget that the God who created the universe loves you and wants to be your strength. He’s the one who will give you the strength to do what He has called you to do.

Be blessed today!
Lisa Harris




LISA HARRIS is an award-winning author who has over twenty novels and novella collections in print. She and her husband, Scott, along with their three children, live near the Indian Ocean in Mozambique as missionaries. As a homeschooling mom, life can get hectic, but she sees her writing as an extension of her ministry which also includes running a non-profit organization. The ECHO Project works in southern Africa promoting Education, Compassion, Health, and Opportunity and is a way for her to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” (Proverbs 31:8)

When she’s not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa visit her website at http://www.lisaharriswrites.com/ or her blog at http://myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com/. For more information about The ECHO Project, please visit http://www.theechoproject.org/.