Guest & Give-Aways!

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It’s an honor to have my friend Holley Gerth post today! Holley is the best-selling author of You’re Already Amazing and several other books. She’s also the cofounder of www.incourage.me and loves hanging out with women at www.holleygerth.com too. Holley has been married to Mark for thirteen years, lives in the South, and says “y’all” a whole lot. She’d love to have coffee with you.

You Can Still Finish Strong this Year

Long before daylight my alarm blares, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough…” The words of the song strike me as ironic because right now ANY mountain feels too high except the pile of blankets on top of me. I’ve committed to do a 50-mile bike race with my husband. What could I possibly have been thinking?

He’s already up and jumping around the room like a kid on Christmas morning. He flips on the light and begins to gather my gear. He tosses me spandex shorts to replace my comfy pajamas. Again, “WHAT am I thinking?”

All the way to the starting line I imagine everything that could go wrong. I could have a wreck. Get dehydrated. Run into a cow–and I really like cows. So sad. It’s too early for my thoughts to be entirely rational. All I really know is that I feel FEAR. Spine tingling, mind-spinning, I-think-I-will-throw-up-now fear.

I’m doing the race with my fabulous friend named Trish (my awesome husband has signed up for 100 miles–even longer than what I’m doing). Before we begin I make Trish promise to take care of me while I cling to my handlebars like a toddler with a security blanket.

Then we’re off. And something really remarkable happens.

I don’t die.

Instead I pedal.

One mile at a time.

Until we get to the first stop on the route. They have cookies. And suddenly I realize I just might be okay.

So I pedal again.

Then some more.

And before I know it, I’m on the other side of the finish line holding my free hot dog high in victory. {Yes, free food motivates me. I’m kind of like a circus bear that way.}

Later on as I reflect, I realize I should have seen this ending coming. Because over and over I’ve discovered this: Fear is almost always the hardest part. Yep, even the pedaling is easier than the fear.

And pedaling is also the only way to get through the fear. You can’t make it go away ahead of time. There’s only one permanent cure for fear: the finish line.

You have to cross the finish line of your dream, that challenge, the thing you didn’t think you could ever-ever-ever-do.

Let me lean in and whisper to you as we look at the last few months of this year: you can still finish strong.

Just pedal.

Then pedal some more.

Find a free cookie somewhere.

Never give up.

You have a big God who lives within you.

And there ain’t no mountain high enough to keep him from getting us through.

XOXO

Holley Gerth

I have 2 Give-Aways today! Holley’s book, You’re Made for a God-sized Dream and a canvas wrapped picture! Everyone who comments will be entered to WIN! Winners will be announce on my blog next Tuesday! If you do not already receive my blog, click here to subscribe and get your free gift today!

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56 thoughts on “Guest & Give-Aways!”

  1. I absolutely love this analogy and I enjoy reading the way you write Holley.
    Blessings,
    Catherine

  3. Dream big. Take small steps. I ran a marathon when i was 30. It was 6 months of training and little steps towards big dream. Only 2% of populaation has done one. I am dreaming again of 1/2 marathon but need to start running first.
    .

    • Kim, I’ve ran 2 half marathons and even though I’m not a “natural” runner it was the most empowering thing I’ve ever done! One step at a time will get us across the finish line! Praying you will start running again today 🙂

  4. What a great message today! I especially love the thought of finding a free cookie somewhere. (free food motivates me, too…especially cookies). Thank you!

  5. Thank you Holly and Linda! Fear can be so debilitating. Trusting in God to get me through the hard times and when I think I cannot go one more step.

    Have a blessed day!

  6. Thanks, Holly and Linda! I really enjoyed this motivational post and it made me both laugh and smile too. Very encouraging and transparent, thank you for blessing me today 🙂

  7. I love it …thats my biggest thing is fear which I know you are not suppose to have its like worrying ..why worry or fear when U know that you will get there or get through it all

  8. I’m going to believe that I am made for a God-sized dream no matter what! Thanks for your encouraging words today!

  9. Thanks, Girls! I, too, am motivated by cookies ; ) This was a wonderful post, will help me break that fear! XO

  10. I love having good dreams, both while awake and while sleeping. Wondering if I can accomplish something gives me motivation. Dreams are truly God-sized and even if I don’t accomplish something, I still know that if I am doing something for God’s glory, then, that is the main goal…. Do it for God and His glory! 🙂

  11. Myself I like chocolate but oh well. Yes fear not as the Lord says I am with you always. I am so glad He is there for me. I am so glad He will never leave me. Thank you Lord for your many blessings and love.

  12. Thanks for the encouragement today. I let fear stop me from doing alot of things. You would think I would know better at my age. But I do think I am learning some. Thanks for the reminder.

  13. Holly I SO needed your comments today. I am a runner but haven’t run since April. I don’t love it, but it’s mostly free and gets me moving. I’ve had thoughts like, why can’t I just be fat and happy, but I am really starting to feel the affects of my lost running days. Sleepless nights, my Michilin roll is growing, and I’m tired all the time. When my work day is done, my excuses start spilling out and it takes EVERYTHING in me, including yelling at myself, to just do it. I have to admit, when I’m done, I feel more alive than ever, tired, but ALIVE. So your words today gave me the inspiration I needed to get my butt out there again, and just run, albeit very slowly. I get the same fear when I am at the start of my races, but when the gun goes off, I turn on my IPod that’s filled with uplifting and upbeat Christian music, and enjoy every step. God Bless you and Thank You God, for you knew I needed Holly’s inspiration!!

  14. Thank you for the eye opening example! So many times I let fear determine my decisions or actions.

    • I’m with you Jen! It’s so easy to let fear take control of our lives, however I’m learning that my fear is less and less as I focus more and more on my personal relationship with Christ. Thank you for commenting!

  15. God has been teaching me about fear from so many places… Buble study, blogs i subscribe to, mirning devotionals, friends….Last week I posted verses on fear in my kitchen.
    Thanks for the push to keep pedaling … Loving all the free cookies from God!

  16. We all have a fear of failure or fear we don’t have what it takes to do or accomplish something. The enemy does this to us. When you have a desire or a dream, post a picture, a sign with what you want to do. Keep that dream constantly in your view. If you believe God will see it happens for you. All you have to do is believe in God and know you are his creation. He made you to succeed. I love you writings and your blog. You are very inspirational. By chance, was your cookie a snicker doodle? I love snicker doodles!!!

  17. Holley,
    Thank you so much for sharing this truth and for the amazing encouragement it is to me during this season of change. Many blessings now and always!

  19. Love this analogy, Holley. You always have the best way of encouraging. And I really needed some encouragement today. I’d love to win too 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us.

  20. I am new to Holley’s books and blog but have already been so inspired as I begin to tread on some new sacred ground!!

  21. I just started Holley’s Do What You Can Plan with a group of wonderful single moms. Loving it so far, we are on day 3. I’d love the chance to read You’re Made for a God-sized Dream!!

  23. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I always look forward to everything that you and the other ladies have to say. A lot of wisdom from you.. You have helped me trust in God for all the hard things in life that I’m going through and to never give up. Thanks. Sharon

  25. I picked Fearless as my word for 2013 because I am tired of not living life because of my fears. 2013 has been full of opportunities of learning how to fear less. I am a work in progress. 🙂

    • Thanks Lori, you said two things that brought everything into proper prospective. The idea of being fearless is so encouraging to someone that has always been so afraid of life and I’m a work in progress. I appreciate you reminding me about the work in progress. It meant a lot to me. Sharon

  26. “Fear is almost always the hardest part.” So Much Yes!!!

    This is so true… and somehow, I keep forgetting it! Thanks for the reminder… and the tips… (personally… I can’t wait to find a ‘free cookie’ at Allume!)

    ~Karrilee~

  28. HI,
    I am a BIG supporter of Holley Gerth’s You’re Made for A God Size Dream 😀
    highly recomend it ….. it’s sooo encouraging!!!I really felt like I was having a real convesation with her as I was reading it. She is just AWESOME! I really hope for this Give-Away …. lol I want my sister to read it! hope I get blessed 😉

  30. Fear…. Tries to steal so much. I’ve watched it try to cripple my oldest daughter. My heart has broken for her more times than I can count but our faithful God will not allow her to remain there. Fear….. Being squashed one minute at a time as she steps out to face them head on.

  31. I have been learning about God-sized dreams and have a few of my own. Now to take the first step to making them come true.

  32. Thank you Holly for your encouraging post….a friend of mine once told me that sometimes we just have to walk through the fear…it sounds like that is what you did! I’m busy right now with care giving for my mom and teaching Pe School at my church.. But one of my dreams is to be in womens ministry some day. Thank you for the encouraging word(:

  33. Fear is often the hardest part. Yes.
    But God is greater than any of my fears. God is greater than any circumstance, any doubt, and all my pain. Because he already bore all that for me long ago and was victorious. So I will not let Fear steal what Jesus died to give me.

  34. Oh, Holly! This analogy is so encouraging! I sometimes let fear paralyze me and not live my best life possible. I want to finish this year strong! I want to look past the fear and see the finish line. I’m going to keep pushing and peddling! Thank you!

  35. I have recently been praying about my fears (along with Julie Gillies “Prayers For a Woman’s Soul OBS) and reading this today reminded me of one of the first Scripture verses I ever memorized Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed [anxious], for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God is greater than our fears! I love the analogy of pedaling through… thanks for sharing!

  36. Everytime I read something Holly writes, it’s PERFECT timing. So interesting…..keep writing about beauty, Holly! Thank you!!!

  37. Thanks so much for sharing”fear” with us today. It hit the nail on the head with me. This entire year so far had been one thing after another. I had finally listened early this year when God gave me a wake up call that I couldn’t ignore. I dove in to His Word and actually started to hear him. Then the bottom fell out of my world again a few months later. Fear closed in and I shut down. Shut every one out, including God. I was in such a fearful dark place it landed me in the hospital and my family was so emotionally hurt by my actions, my fear compounded. As I sat in that hospital under 24hr watch, something broke open inside me and I began to pray. I could FEEL Him again. Telling me I’m ok, I’m loved, give me your fear, give me your burdens, I can heal you, just ask me. I gave my life to God that next morning, fully, heart, mind, body, and soul. I still have a long way to walk in my faith, but now the “fear” isn’t so fearful knowing Gods got my back. Heavenly Father, thank you! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

  39. Your message, Holly, was perfect for this time in my life. God has placed several things before me to begin a new path in my life and all I see this mountain…huge mountain!

  40. I love the bicycle story! I did a metric century last year and found that I love it….I had a loaner bike for the whole season and was sad to have to give it up. I to am like a circus bear for free food. Love how I can totally relate to your open and personalized way to communicate a point. Makes me feel like I am not the only one!

    Be blessed!

  41. Linda,

    Thank you for this encouraging message. When life is looking at you sometimes I FEAR my circumstances. My health makes me feel like I want ever be able to do the things or accomplish some of the dreams I had 10 years ago before I got this illness. Now I will think of your message and keep telling myself to keep and not give up. God bless you. You are an inspiration yourself with your life testimony

  42. Oh how true that message is. Yet we know in Christ, we have no fear! If we could believe God’s Word with all that is within us, we could overcome any fear that comes our way. Thank you for sharing this inspiring message! May God continue to inspire you to write and to reach out to others in His Name!!

  43. “Fear is almost always the hardest part”…. is so true! I have allowed fear to hold me back far too many times. Now I try to see fear for what it is and press on past the fear. I have experienced so many amazing moments by not letting fear dictate my decisions. It is not always easy but in the end, it is always worth it! Thank you for this inspiring message!

  44. I am very fearful. I have buried a husband and a child. I keep expecting bad things to happen to me. God is dealing with me on this fear. I know He is preparing me for something but I have no idea what it is. This post was so motivating to me. I pray that soon I will be able to start climbing mountains.

    • Kris, I cannot imagine all that you’ve gone through sweet sister. I’m lifting you up in prayer and trusting the Lord to remove all your fears. Sending you a BIG (((hug)))!!!!

  45. This was so encouraging, and completely relevant with what I am going through!! A great motivating thought for today. Gotta keep pedalling to finish up my degree….Thanks Holley! And Linda!

  47. totally feeling blessed by this message….thanks Holly!! Thank you Jesus!!!!!
    I am going to run today. :0)

  48. Achieving a goal is a great accomplishment. I know I’ve mentioned the 23 stomach surgeries I’ve had in the last 11 years and 5 of them have been in the last 3 years. For the past 3 years I have been trying to recuperate from them. I was very active before and volunteered to serve before. These past 3 years I haven’t felt like doing anything but God has been showing me that that is wrong, that’s not me. I loved serving God and helping people. God has been dealing with me and today I was listening to a preacher on TV and he said to ask God every morning what my daily assignment is. I love doing crafts but haven’t felt like doing them either. There is so many needs in the world that I want to find a craft I can do to sell so I can give back to the ministries I want to help. God has a purpose for each of us and I’d appreciate your prayers that God will lead me to my purpose or ministry. Thank all of you that minister through Proverbs 31 and us that you minister to. Several of you have written me and encouraged me and I know you’ve prayed for me. God’s people are in a class of our own and it’s open to all who want to join. I always receive a blessing from reading your thoughts. Love you, Sharon

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