Reader,

Do you have time to commit to your dream?

When I talk with women, the answer to this question is often “no” or “not right now.”

Because life is already busy and full of responsibilities: caring for a home and the people who live there, serving at church and in your community, giving all you have to the commitments you’ve already said “yes” to. And let’s not forget what’s happening to your body in midlife. (Hot flashes, anyone?)

With all of that on your plate, it’s natural to question how you’ll find time for a dream like writing a book, building a brand-new ministry, or starting a business.

It’s no surprise that our dreams often end up on the back burner as other, more urgent priorities push their way to the top.

But what if there’s a bigger question here? What if you paused to consider whether it’s really a time issue that’s keeping your dream on the shelf or if it’s something else?

That’s my challenge for you today, before May is really in full swing, to make an intentional decision rather than an accidental one, asking:

Is this the time for my dream, or should I set it aside for a different season?

Because making a deliberate decision will not only feel like clarity, but it will also offer some relief from the internal debate with yourself every time the topic arises. You’re either going after it right now or you’re not.

Because timing can be a barrier to committing.

But it can also be an excuse.

And if it’s the latter, isn’t that something you’d rather see clearly instead of falling into?

Let me show you what I mean…

Today, the answer feels obvious, but at the time, it wasn’t only a logistical question (even though that’s what it looked like on the surface).

It was also an emotional question. And that made it harder to choose.

Because if I let this go, what would I lose? I could name a few things: the connection to the women and the experience I gained by serving. Attending the national convention would be out, and that had always been a privilege and a source of treasured memories.

If it was just those things, it was an obvious decision. But why didn’t it feel that way?

Because logical decisions and emotional ones are not the same thing. And if your identity is wrapped up in something, there’s no pro/con list that’s going to make that choice feel easy.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized my hesitation wasn’t about losing the actual role. It was about the feelings attached to it: I felt needed and useful. Then, there was my identity as a long-time volunteer and the way it felt to make a difference there, to be known for something, to be a part of something bigger than myself.

But if I left, it felt like none of that would be true anymore.

Maybe there’s something in your life that you’ve held onto for a long time, something that you’ve become so attached to that it’s difficult to consider letting go…even if maybe you’ve outgrown it.

I wish I’d asked myself these questions sooner. Consider them my gift to you:

Spend some time in prayer this coming week, and be honest with yourself as you answer these questions. (Print this email if it helps you remember to do it.)

Because not everything is meant to be forever.

There’s a difference between something you’re called to carry for a season and something you’ve been unwilling to let go of.

And if God is calling you to carry a dream, then it’s time to figure out how to make room for it to thrive.

You don’t have to work through these questions alone. The Dream Believers Mastermind call is a small group of Christian women actively pursuing their dreams together. Our next call is May 13th. Simply hit “reply” and let me know you’d like to attend.

Until next time, I am…

With you, in the dream,

~Merritt

P.S. If you want more on this topic of timing for your dream, my newest podcast episode is all about determining if this is the right time to pursue your God-given dream. Give it a listen on Apple or Spotify.