About the Author

Mary is a writer and speaker who lives for good books, spicy queso, and television marathons – but lives because of God’s grace. She writes about giving up on perfect and finding truth in unexpected places at MaryCarver.com. Mary and her husband live in Kansas City with their two daughters.

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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Mary… I think we are chasing the same lion, engaging in today. Exactly what I needed to hear today. ‘Not living until…’ Well, it is time to jump in! Thank you so much!

  2. Mary, this post struck a chord with me. I, too, used to live waiting for the big thing to happen before I would jump into life. It is when I realized the crippling effect this was having on my family, and essentially myself, that I made a choice to live now, to embrace the moment and enjoy life. Thank you for sharing your story.

  3. Thanks Mary for your thoughts…I also felt like I was done with the “here” and waiting for a big dream to happen. God has been teaching me that while I need to be prepared for the “here i am send me” moment, I also need to be ok with where He has put me now.

  4. What great insights and I related to this post on so many levels. Thank you. On a side note, I know Mark Batterson personally…he use to be my pastor…and how he comes across in his books is how he is in real life.

  5. Thank you for this. We moved across the country two years ago to chase the lion we felt God was placing in front of us, but lately I have struggled so so much with wanting to go back home. Thank you for the reminder to engage in today!

  6. As a women, I’ve found society tells you these stages…”once you graduate, once you get a job, once you’re married and have kids…” we’re always waiting for the next thing. I live by Elizabeth Elliot’s line..”just do the next thing.” And mixed with the lion analogy, oh yes, that is so powerful. 🙂

  7. As a SAHM with some dreams, I’ve been struggling with engaging with today–arg, the “dailiness” of it. Thank you for the encouragement and one more message from the Lord that this really is His plan, His best for me right now. Now to just rise up and do it…

  8. I just added that book to my ever-growing list! I can relate about needing to engage in today. I’m so good at setting goals but not actually doing anything about them because they seem so far off. It would appear my lion is actually about the here and now, too!

  9. I think one of the hardest things we imperfect humans can’t wrap our brains around is that we are all works in progress — and I mean that in the most positive of ways. Trusting HIM and knowing He’s got our back is so hard, but when we do that, he lets us know right where we are supposed to be. You know, those big Ah-ha moments. And for me, it’s usually when I’m up to my elbows in laundry, butt wipin’ and wondering is this REALLY what I’m supposed to be about Lord?! 🙂
    Beautiful post Mary — and I’m thinking I gotta get that book!

  10. I think a lot of times I think I am “just a mom.” I know so many, many others like me. “Just moms.” We stay home, make food, feed our little baby birds, clean, do laundry, and basically just run the house. Some days it seems so insignificant. Thanks for the reminder that God can use even me to do something big. Even if it is being “just a mom.”
    🙂

  11. WONDERFUL post! Just what I’m needing to hear right about now. Okay . . . now I’ve GOT to find that book. 😉 Thanks so much for inspiring, in(couraging) and sharing!

  12. Like a lot of the other commenters, I’ve got to read that book. But what really got me was this part: “God pointed out that perhaps I’d been hiding behind my grand plans and fancy dreams. For me, for now, my lion is engaging in today. Getting involved now. Not waiting to live until that big dream comes true, until that perfect chance crosses my path”. That has really spoken to me. That’s my lion too.
    I am truly glad I took the time this afternoon to read this. So very good.

  13. Mary (awesome name by the way) Thank you so much for reminding me to engage in each moment of each day. Not to wait for bigger or better things. God needs me now. All I have to do is answer His call for today.
    Thank you! Thank you! for the gracious reminder. I am so getting this book. I can’t wait to read it!

  14. I’m not a reader – I used to be. But this book sounds like something I should invest in. Having moved from my home town in April (HIS plan, not mine), I’m still waiting to see what God would have me do here, but I’m not moving…just sitting and waiting. I just started venturing out, but I’m still leery about what’s out there in this big city. I need to get out more and see what’s out there more. Then I’ll see what God wants of me right now, in this place. Thanks.

  15. I’ve had that book on my shelf for a little over a year now – you’ve convinced me to pull it off and read it! Thanks!