I’ve always been a friend with friends. I’m a people person by nature,  so surrounding myself with some form of community, is almost a natural occurrence for me, it is simply how I live.

Holly encouraged us, as we began dreaming these God-sized dreams out loud, to find a buddy–someone to pray for and someone who would pray for us and our direction. I already had this. Blogging has blessed me in countless ways, and one of the biggest (and best) blessings, has been the friendships I have made.

For a time, many of these new friends were strictly online friends, and our main form of communication was through blog comments and Facebook. But now, after two Allume conferences, and Skype and the phone, these women are so much more than that for me. They are treasured, real-life friends who speak truth into my life on a near daily basis.

So when we needed to buddy-up, I reached across the screen to a few of my friends, who were already engaged in my God-sized dreaming.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of reading Michele-Lyn’s blog, you really ought to go meet her. Michelle and I originally met online through a blog comment box, but had the pleasure of meeting in real life at Allume last October. She is a delight and a beautiful woman of the word.

Crystal and I met on twitter and then in the flesh at the registration table at Allume. Her spunk and generosity drew me in immediately. Her passion for Jesus and life are beautiful and this girl knows how to be an amazing friend. Her dreams are beautiful, and her heart for community, inspiring.

Amy and I also met through blog comment boxes and have since become good friends with regular Skype calls and emails, that have allowed us to get to know each other better. Amy never fails to inspire me to find God’s purpose in all things.

Finally, I have a new friend, Anita Mathias, who I am still just getting to know. Anita lives in England and we actually realized that we have a mutual friend in common from way back. (What a small world!) Anita has a beautiful blog where she shares about her own faith journey.

These women are part of my dream team. They aren’t the only ones. I am blessed to have a few other friends who  make up my team as well, though they are not mentioned here. God has graciously blessed me with many people who continue to circle around me and pray for me daily, and I am honored to do the same for them.

I know some of you have a history of  facing challenges of living in community with other Christians. I know there are wounds and fears that sometimes prevent you from sharing your hopes and dreams with others. But I challenge you–find someone. One person. Someone you can share the desires of your heart with, who will commit to praying for you and encouraging you each day as you seek to follow the Lord’s calling on your life.

We were not built for solitude. God has someone out there specifically to encourage you, to be your team. Ask Him to show you who it is. Trust that He will not only provide who you need, but that he will also bring them along in His perfect timing. 

In the meantime, I’m praying for you too!

This post is shared with community over at Holly’s place as part of the God-sized dream team link-up. This week, we introduce our team, next week, we will chat about one step we have taken in the past that could help us to move forward now.