When I was a little girl during Christmas time, I would ask Santa to make me taller. I’ve no idea why I was unhappy with my stature but I was. If you have met me in person, you know that Santa left me hanging.

For most of my life, I have been five foot three and three-eighths. I was adamant to include the “three-eighths” as in my mind, it made me think I was really five foot four. (Oh, how we deceive ourselves!)

At my recent physical, my doctor dealt me a devastating blow:  

“You’re five foot two.”

What? Those words hit me like a ton of bricks, but you can’t ignore the truth. While there’s nothing I can do about my lost height, sans a stretching machine or higher heels, this news did give me pause: What else has shrunk in my life? 

Since leaving corporate America (twice!), my hustle and bustle work life has shrunk to working from home, Zoom meetings, and occasional networking events. A far cry from the oodles of people I would interact with daily as I traversed those impressive buildings. I’ve also lost the flashy corporate titles and amazing salary and benefits.

Five years ago, I sold my house and downsized to a condo, shrinking my actual physical space. With my daughter out on her own (and my son likely wishing he was!), the number of occupants in my home has also shrunk.

In addition to dropping an inch in my height, over the past few years, I’ve also dropped some weight. 

That’s a lot of shrinkage!

Lest you think my life is heading downhill, let’s look at what God has done as these external, and yes, fairly superficial shrinkages were happening:

• I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Theology.
• I founded Elevate The Day® Ministries. 
• I wrote my award-winning memoir, and co-authored a devotional with my pal, Karen Jensen Salisbury.
• I launched the Elevate The Day Podcast, which is about to embark on its sixth year with 275 episodes to date.
• I serve in my local church, lead Bible studies, speak at events, and occasionally teach Bible college courses.

Why do I share all of this? Not to get a virtual pat on the back – no! I want to show you all that God can do and to prove to you that even when you think your life is  shrinking, God may actually be building you up for something bigger and better (Romans 8:28).

Let’s face it – without God, none of this growth would’ve been possible, so I take no credit.

“”I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”” (John 15:5 NKJV)

As we close out the year, I would like to encourage you to think about all that God has done for you and through you. Let’s do what the Apostle Paul advises: 

Let go of the things that lay behind and press toward the things of God.

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV)

God has big plans for you. Know that whatever doors are closing (or whatever may be shrinking), there are new doors and increase waiting for you. 

Don’t shrink away from them!

There may be doors that have closed for you, but God’s plan for your life has not changed. To learn how to set your vision and do all that God has called you to do, I invite you to watch or listen to the Elevate The Day Podcast episode, “What’s Your Vision.” Click here to listen or watch now.