I was going to call this goal “Do Hard Things”  – a phrase I heard from my new friend Amy, who participated in a youth conference of the same name.  She actually had to overcome some personal illness in order to attend, so she did a hard thing before she even got there!  I like my word “dare” better though, because it has a little more sense of adventure, plus…it is shorter! 😉 So here are ten things I dread, that I will dare to do:

1. travel alone
2. cook a souffle
3. learn to wear scarves before they go out of style
4. buy a bike to ride with the kids (and move on from the fateful bike wreck that scarred me, literally, way back in high school),
5. expand the content at girlsgrowingwithgod.com
6. learn to use our old Canon camera properly (finally!)
7. sketch out plans for a book (yikes!)
8. finally relinquish my dental hygiene license to consider starting back to school (again!)
9. say “yes” more on the spur of the moment
10. let go and stop trying to plan everything (right after this post, where I am planning my goals)

Whew!  Not sure I can, or will, do all of these things but, when I am thinking big and feeling especially daring, anything seems possible.  When I am thinking small and feeling wimpy, which is more often than not, I can turn to the Word for help with this and other hard, but not so daring, things (like watching my Mom getting thinner and thinner during her cancer treatment; or keeping a hopeful countenance and good attitude on lonely days, homeschooling in relative isolation in our sleepy and sweet little town; moving again in August after being here just 15 months).  God really wants me to keep growing and to trust in Him, and I know He will be with me as I do!

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze..” (Is 43:1b-2).

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:6-7).

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Phil 4:13).

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize (1 Cor. 9:24).

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary (Gal 6:9).

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (Eph. 6:10).

JustAgirl…just like you!