What happens when your dream is sidelined by the realities of life in a broken world?
Kimberly Phinney had a vision for her future as a writer with big hopes, dreams, and ideas she wanted to share with the world. Even as a child she had a sense that this would be her path. While on that journey life got in the way, fear stepped in, and she started playing small, keeping her artistry close to the chest.
When her health took a turn for the worse it seemed all of her dreams might be lost. Suffering infertility, miscarriages, and stage 4 endometriosis, she also lost the ability to walk. She’s endured multiple surgeries, including one that almost took her life due to sepsis and post-surgical complications.
IF YOU’VE ever questioned the suffering or loss you’ve experienced, THIS IS THE EPISODE FOR YOU!
We don’t ever seek out the pain, suffering, or weakness that ends up impacting our dreams so deeply. Even still, it finds us and presents us with an opportunity to respond in faith and trust for our heavenly Father, even while we’re still asking, “Why?”
Kimberly’s story isn’t over. It’s not tied up with a beautiful bow. She’s not fully recovered. But she’s fighting for her dream and the ways God might use her in it, despite and even because of her weakness.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Kimberly’s 3-step process for staying true to the dreams God has given you (her students rave about this year after year!)
What God has taught her in her brokenness (and the breakthrough that awaits in such seasons)
About letting go of anything that’s going to detract from God’s vision for you.
CONNECT WITH ME:
Website || Facebook || Instagram || Book a Call
CONNECT WITH KIMBERLY PHINNEY:
Website || Instagram || Email || LinkedIn
MORE ABOUT KIMBERLY PHINNEY:
As a professional “helper” and artist, Kimberly Phinney is a national award-winning educator, English professor, writer, and photographer. Her writing has been published in Ekstasis, Fathom, Calla Press, Humana Obscura, The Dewdrop, and more. After surviving a severe form of Stage 4 Endometriosis and sepsis in 2021, she is now earning her doctorate in counseling to help the marginalized and suffering. She is the founder and editor of the faith community and literary journal, The Way Back to Ourselves, and was recently featured on ABC News and Good Morning America for her national teaching award and the compelling health story surrounding it. As a mental health and disabilities advocate, Kimberly hopes to use her story, art, and life to help others find the way back to wholeness and faith in a world that has gone loud.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Visit Kimberly’s About page to read more of her story
ABC News feature and “Good Morning America” feature
Submit your writing via email to Kimberly to maximize your opportunity to get published in her literary journal with the theme “restoration.” Just mention “Devoted Dreamers” or “Merritt Onsa” so she knows who sent you!
Thewayback2ourselves Store – use the coupon code: DoGood10 for 10% off your purchase through the month of May 2023.
Streams In the Desert, daily devotional
Looking for some quick ideas to help you start on your dream?
Grab a copy of my free Quick-Win Checklist with 17 super simple steps you can take one day at a time to get some traction for your God-shaped dream. Merrittonsa.com/quickwin
Scripture:
The Story of the Woman at the Well
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
John 4:7-15, 25-26 (NIV)
PIN IT FOR LATER:
SUPPORT THE PODCAST
If you’d like to partner financially with the Devoted Dreamers Podcast, click the red button to learn more.
MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Join the Devoted Dreamers Facebook Group
Follow Merritt on Instagram || Facebook || Pinterest
The Devoted Dreamers Podcast is produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music: “New Day” used under Creative Commons by Lee Rosevere.