Carrie Baker – The Growth Collective

Hey friend, come and sit with me for a few minutes while we chat.

This blog post is continuing a conversation that began last week, with my inbox community. A friend and a wonderful member of our community, Mattea, said this:

“I’d love to hear from you about how you have cultivated your relationship with God and learnt to hear His voice amidst the busyness of life, being a mum, a writer, working life etc.”

This question took me back to a time a few years ago, when there was so much I wanted to do and I wondered how other people, were doing ALL the things.

If I could go back to about 3 years ago, I’d tell myself to stop worrying about about not having enough time or capacity. I remember that I waste so much time and energy feeling frustrated.

I know now, that If I’d been given what I wanted in terms of capacity at the time, I wouldn’t have been prepared for it. We will talk more about this later on.

Last week in our weekly email, we began this conversation, by talking about the biggest change I made, and this was to how I made my morning routine work for me. Changing how I begin my day, has enabled to me do more of these things that Mattea is asking about. I gave myself more time and space to exercise, to pray, write my daily posts and be able to begin my day at the pace I want. Click here if you would love to receive these emails.

Capacity

Now friend, let me ask you a question: How is your capacity?

Do you feel that you have enough capacity for the things you want to pursue, that thing you are called to, or that dream you want to chase?

I hear you! If only we had coin for every time you’ve said we wish we had more time…. Well you know, we would all be rich.

I want to be honest with you for a minute and confess something. Looking back, I used that excuse for far too long. Do you know what? To some degree it WAS true, I didn’t have the time for ALL I wanted. But the truth is I could have begun. I had far more capacity than I wanted to admit… because then I would actually have to do the thing!

I was focusing on the thought of not having enough time, than actually trying to find some.

Growth

So to answer Mattea’s question; I am able to grow my relationship with God, hear his voice, be a mum, a writer, and have a job, because I’ve had to learn to make a priority of the things that are important, and increase my capacity to encompass them.

The thing I’ve learned to love about capacity, is that it grows.

I have a post-it on my wall, that says:

“What you pay attention to, grows.”

Deepak Chopra

Go and read that again. What are you paying attention to?

An example I can use from my life as an illustration, are my house plants. (Ok, you’re right… I just wanted an excuse to talk about them.) When I give them my attention, they grow. I water them, give them the right light requirements and dust their leaves occasionally.

Only, they don’t just grow – they multiply.

When I finally decided to pay attention to my capacity, it began to grow. And not just grow but multiply. When I switched my focus from NOT having capacity, to FINDING it, I began to see spaces and gaps in my life. These were little pockets of time I could fit in my week, to work on my goals, and move toward my dream.

I was able to see where if I shifted this thing and worked toward making that happen, I could give myself even more time.

My goal and dream at that point, to grow my blog. I did what I set out to achieve, and when I had reached that goal, I set another. Of course, then my capacity had to grow again…

When you give attention to something, your brain goes into problem-solving-mode, and likes to think of ways to make that thing work. It was a journey for me, and it took time.

When I made writing a priority, I gave it attention and I stopped making excuses. I set my focus on the right thing.

It’s like when we focus on the problem, it doesn’t get solved and sometimes gets worse. But when we put our focus on the solution, to lift our eyes to the Lord who can help us, he makes a way out of it.

Over time I have been able to give myself more and more space to pursue the things that the Lord is calling me to, incrementally building one brick after another.

Friend, know that capacity isn’t just about time and fitting it into your life, it’s also about how much you can achieve.

My biggest growth in capacity has happened since becoming a mum. When we just had our daughter, I was ‘SOOOOO busy’. Then one day I had three children, and I somehow managed to have the capacity to raise and love them, then add more into my life as the years went by.

Whatever it is that you have been using the excuse of ‘not enough capacity’ for, it’s time to change the response. You CAN grow your capacity, it just takes being intentional and being focused on the right thing.

Then your clever mind will work out the details. And in time you will have the capacity you need, to do those things that are in your heart to pursue.

Plans

Do you remember how I said earlier, that if I’d been given the capacity I wanted at the time, I wouldn’t have been prepared for it? That’s because God was still preparing me.

I saw a clip from an interview with the late Dr Myles Monroe, he was talking about God’s plan for your life. He talking about how the Lord keeps his plans for you secret, but shows you the vision, or the dream.

He then prepares you, for what he has prepares FOR you, by leading you through the various season and growth you need to, for what is ahead.

Here is the short clip if you want to watch this

He has great things for you friend, he has great plans and purposes for your life. Maybe you have an inkling as to what they are, and maybe not yet. But know that he does, because he promises it in his word.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

Jeremiah 29:11

He has been preparing you all along, and if you look back a little… you might see where he as been at work.

I don’t know about you, but I am sure glad that the Lord, in all his brilliant wisdom, didn’t always give me everything I wanted when I wanted it. Because the foundation that was needed to support it, hadn’t been built yet.

What is it that you are waiting on God for, or working towards, that feels too slow? This season you’re in, is all preparation for what he has for you. Be patient friend, he working on you.

In case you needed reminding, growth seasons can be tiring and uncomfortable, have grace for yourself as you trust the Lord in it all. He has a plan and a purpose for where you are right now, and in what is coming.

Before you go and get busy with the rest of your day, here are some questions to ponder, or even journey about:

• How do I feel in this current season?
• How am I letting the Lord grow me in this season?
• How can I shift my attention, to focus work out the solution to moving forward?
• How can I increase my capacity for the things I want to do?

We are all about seeing you grow and flourish at The Growth Collective, and I am passionate about seeing you confidently occupying your space in the world and live the life you are created for.

If you want to join in with our weekly chats through your inbox, you can do that here: Come and join the family!

Also, if you enjoyed this blog post, you are welcome to bless me with coffee, to fuel my writing days! Love Me With Coffee

Some further reading for you if you aren’t done with learning more!

Time Hacks For Productivity- Part One

Time Hacks For Productivity- Part Two

How To Give Yourself More TIME.

Friend, its been so great to chat with you, press the follow so you don’t miss any future posts. I am so excited to see all the ways you will grow. And just in case you haven’t heard it in a while… you are amazing, and you are loved.

See you soon,

Carrie xxx