About the Author

Holley Gerth is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, counselor, and life coach. Her newest release is The Powerful Purpose of Introverts: Why the World Needs You to Be You. She's also wife to Mark, Mom to Lovelle, and Nana to Eula and Clem.

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

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. So excited for you Crystal! You are such an encouragement. I love your words, and your heart for the Lord and for His girls! Blessings in this new adventure!

  2. Crystal,
    You are proof that good things come in small packages. So excited for you in this new role that God has been preparing you for :). I will keep you in my prayers as you embark on a God-sized adventure. All the best to you!
    Blessings,
    Bev

  3. I am so happy for you, Crystal!! Thank you for the way you encourage and lead. God is good and you are loved. We all are….amazing!

  4. Oh my heart is jumping for JOY for you, sweet friend!! You are the real deal. May your words speak directly to that dear one who is in that very same place today. Love you.

    • Love YOU – and seeing all these God Sized Dream friends here today? A blessing beyond words. Can you believe we’ve all been cheering for each other for over a year?

  5. I’m so excited to see this dream come true for you! I can testify that you ARE a cheerleader for women, and your smile does indeed light up the room. God’s timing is so perfect but in our humanness we usually can’t see that, especially during the waiting times. I can testify to that, too. I’m so proud to call you a friend!

  6. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH……freaking out over here in AZ! Yay! So excited. I was praying and hoping THIS was the big excitement but to see it in print is so cool! Yay God!!!

  7. Congratulations to you, my beautiful friend! You are such a sweet encouragement in my life, and I’m cheering my heart out for you! πŸ™‚

    • I can hear the cheering from here … and imagine your beautiful smile in my mind πŸ™‚ Praying we have more in real life moments together this year!

  8. Happy Day to you Crystal. Of course it’s “Roses” for you. Not to minimize but KIMsays was my ‘coffee’ this a.m.
    Us humans seem to excell in ‘missing it’ when it comes to His timing.
    SUPER reminder for me this a.m.
    Being in the dumps from looking at TRUTH which is what HE specializes in is often harder than we can manage. It is the patience built that brings the eventual release from the tension. Obviously needed PATIENCE! Thanks again to Crystal and KIM.

    • Hindsight is 20/20, isn’t it Maggie? I have missed God’s plan and His work in my life more often than I’d care to admit. But that’s the most amazing thing about the God we serve – He’s the God of the impossible, and faithful to keep working behind the scenes in our lives, even when we’re oblivious to it πŸ™‚

  9. I’m reminded of “in God’s way, in God’s time” and I needed that reminder this morning, thanks!

    • That has been on repeat in my head for the last several years – along with the truth that His way is better than mine, and His timing is perfect. I’m more likely to want to know it all “now” and He’s graciously teaching me the art of waiting πŸ™‚

  10. Crystal,
    (in)courage GOT IT RIGHT! I remember the post you referenced about cheering others on when it’s not your turn. You’ll never know how it spoke to my heart. It was a guidepost for me about waiting on God, knowing that His Plans are better, His Timing is Perfect, and that ALL things, even the ones we’d rather forget, work together for good to them that love God. I am praying joy and dreams unleashed!
    Peace and good to you, dweet dreaming sister.

  11. Crystal… One of the greatest joys for me this past year is watching you watch God pursue you!!! I am humbled by your faith and it makes me smile to see you here “officially.” I can not think of a better person suited to the heartbeat of (in)Courage. You’ve blessed me time and again friend with your bench building awesomeness… God is breathing His holy breath under the wings of your dreams friend and I just love watching you soar!!!!

    • “bench building awesomeness”….love that πŸ™‚ And thank you for joining me over, and over again on that bench – my life is richer because of you!

  12. A true testament that God closes doors to open better ones πŸ™‚ Love ya sis! Congrats, you’ll rock this and I can’t wait to see how God uses this new opportunity.

  13. Crystal – this is so awesome! You truly are a gift to us within the (in)courage community. Our own interactions (between you and I) have been very limited, yet your warmth, sincerity, and genuine heart for our Lord is so very evident with every word you share. God is using you to build His kingdom in such an incredible, beautiful way. I stand in awe of the work He is doing, and am so glad you are part of the team at (in)courage with this new job. Congrats! πŸ™‚

  14. Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3

    πŸ™‚ and hugs πŸ™‚

  15. You were made for a time such as this. You’re sweet, sassy, loving spirit has blessed me more times than I can recall. So very happy and full of praise for this next chapter in your journey! Love you! xxoo

  16. Crystal – Congratulations! So happy for you! You made me feel welcomed & gave me courage to leave comments when you didn’t even realize what your words were depositing into me. For that, I am grateful. This post truly teaches that when God say, “Wait” it does not mean “no” it means “not yet”. His ways & times are always perfect. Thank you for this encouragement this morning! Blessings,
    Joanne

  17. I love this site! It is such an inspiration to me. I sort of lurk around on here commenting very little but always, ALWAYS, without fail, am ENCOURAGED. Congratulations to Crystal! Maybe I will come around a little more often πŸ™‚

  18. Loved your post about cheering from the sidelines, great wisdom there! Thanks for sharing and praying God uses you in this exciting new role!!

  19. Congratulations and His Blessings to you on this wonderful announcement. How exciting to read these words this morning. Yours was one of the first voices I heard as I stretched tentatively into the (in)courage community, and your encouragement and commitment to community have continued to be an inspiration. I’m so happy that God is unfolding this dream and His purpose for you in this way. Cheers!

  20. I’m so excited for you! It’s awesome how God has prepared you for this place of ministry, even before anyone knew what He was doing! I know you are going to encourage women and bring God some glory in your new role here! πŸ™‚

  21. I am so happy for you!! I knew God had something great in mind for you, I am so glad you were faithful in the waiting, you encouraged us all to cheer from the sidelines. I can’t wait to see what God does in you and through you on this new journey!!! I am overjoyed for you!

    • Isn’t it wonderful how we can see God’s hand so clearly in the lives of others, even when they can’t see it themselves? Your comment inspires me to share those moments more often, because that is a beautiful encouragement!

  22. Crystal, your story is a bit further along than mine but it sounds so familiar! And, it is a big boost of encouragement! You are already someone I have seen here and listened to in building community. I love seeing someone so passionate about this ministry seamlessly join a staff I thought you were already a part of. Love you and so excited to see you take on an official title!

    • Thank you so much, Hope! Praying that God will give you a little glimpse of what’s a little further down the road – I know He has good plans for you!

  23. Girl I am so stinking excited for you and proud.. and totally not surprised. Thank you for your heart of love and encouragement, for dreaming– and for whenever I look at your site, or your words I am always inspired to dream more!

  24. Yay Crystal! Trust, believe, walk forward in faith. It can be hard to do so because we can’t see what’s around the corner, especially when what is right in front of us looks a lot like a major failure.

    I am reminded of Jeremiah 29:11, words that are close to my heart:
    For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, β€œplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

  25. Congratulations Crystal! I have already learned so much from you. You have taught me to be faithful in the waiting. Thank you for all you do (and will continue to do) this community. Blessings in this new adventure!

  26. “Save room.” – So Much Yes!!! I love that! Oh how we can tend to fill all the way up in our waiting and in our wanting – but He is the One who whispers to us softly – Save room! #Swoon!

    Congratulations girlie! So excited for you!
    ~K~

  27. Yay! I am SO proud of you Crystal! You have been our biggest cheerleader on GSD and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you, sweet friend! Best of luck to you in this new calling!!

    • So glad that being an online cheerleader means I can wear yoga pants and not those short little skirts πŸ˜‰ Y’all would NOT want to see that! (hehe..and thank you!)

  28. How wonderful are God’s ways, and perfect in his timing! Congratulations Crystal! I look forward to getting to know you better as you take your appointed {and anointed} role at (in)courage. πŸ™‚

  29. Crystal,

    I loved the post about cheering others on when it’s not your turn. It spoke to me about waiting and being patient. I have a hard time with both. God knows the plans He has for us..we just have to be paitent and wait on Him to move.

    Congratulations to you and In Courage. I believe you will make a huge impact for Christ and women’s lives in this ministry! God Bless!! πŸ™‚

    • I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned over the last year (or 10) has been that God always moves. We just don’t always see it right away πŸ˜‰

  30. Crystal,
    You give me hope as I wait on The Lord and look for a job in this prolonged season of unemployment. Courage is my word for 2014!!

  31. Crystal, years of waiting…………I can appreciate the questions, puzzlement, confusion, and questions during the past years. I am waiting, and I’ve yet to discover the meaning of God’s verse to me.
    β€œFeed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. ” from the book of Luke.
    God bless you in your new calling, I am certain that you will find that none of your experiences have been wasted. God redeemed them all!

    • Oh He has, Debi, He has redeemed! It’s been beautiful. And I simply can NOT wait to see what happens when the time is right for you to learn what God intends to do with that amazing verse!

  32. Crytal- we women need encouragers like you- how exciting you have this new role. I have been blessed by you over and over again reading you blog posts.
    May God anoint you afresh today and may you be filled with His mighty Holy Spirit more than ever before, to be equipped and enabled to fulfil this role always giving out of the overflow and never running dry. As you bless all of us, may the blessing me multiplied to YOU.
    With love and appreciation for who God made you to be,
    Mary, New Zealand

    • Oh Mary! That is so beautiful! I’m off to print that out and hang it right beside my desk for those “am I really capable of this, God?” days πŸ™‚

  33. Yeah! Congrats my fellow God-sized Dreaming friend. I remember reading those posts you mentioned and recalled thinking, it’s only a matter of time for her. I’m so happy to have a backseat look at God blessing your faithfulness in the small things.

  34. thanks for sharing your story and reminding those who have a desire to be used by God to encourage others, that some times His answer is wait because He’s still working on us and refining us…I’m right there now and am thankful for a husband who puts up with a lot and lovingly reminds me to wait and trust God for His perfect timing if He so chooses to use me in the way I desire…I have a lot of rough edges and am being humbled and pruned often…it’s not pleasant, but I know it’s necessary…

    Thankful for the struggles that are necessary to become beautiful in His time! πŸ™‚ Excited to have you on board…I’m a newcomer to (in)courage and have enjoyed the emails I receive…most of them hit home to right where I am in my journey to become more like Christ! πŸ™‚

    • Oh Kelley, I’m still in the middle of so much of that pruning and smoothing. It’s hard, girl. But God has great plans for you – and when His timing is perfect and you get a small glimpse of the “why” behind the journey? What a blessed day that will be πŸ™‚ And we’ll all be here to cheer for you then, and every step along the way! (and #fistbump to your hubs – that’s a good man!)

  35. I was so happy to read this Crystal! I don’t know if you would even remember me, but you helped me out a great deal with the book that I was writing last year, and I thanked God for you then and now!
    Because of how you blessed me, I know God will continue to use you for His glory. I just could not be any happier to see you as a part of this team!

  36. Congratulations Crystal! I’ve watched your journey for the past year or so and it has been such a blessing to see how God has worked in your life. Dreams do come true!

  37. Oh my.
    You and (in)Courage.
    Together.
    What could be better?

    I’m so so thrilled for you. What a beautiful heart you have. I just know you’ll bring so much joy and wisdom to the team at (in)Courage. Yay! πŸ™‚

  38. Crystal, welcome! So happy you’ll be helping to lead this beautiful place. And thank you for sharing the waiting and the laying down of pride and letting us in on some pieces of your journey here. What encouragement to so many of us!

  39. Words escape my excitement for you in this role. I am so proud of you and couldn’t think of a better person for this important “job” (that probably doesn’t feel like a job!) Keeping lighting up the world, girl!! Love you!!!!

  40. Yay! πŸ™‚ So Glad your God-Sized Dream came true!!! This place is such a blessing & I know you are proud to be part of it!

  41. Congratulations on your new position. Since in your position you will “watch the words around here,” could I make a suggestion that you help guide the team to use future postings to encourage all women, not just those who are married and/or mothers of young children? There is a huge demographic of women who may be turned off to posting after posting that is either a) explicitly about marriage and motherhood or b) is about some other topic, such as forgiveness, but every example is based on a life of marriage and motherhood.

    Yes, there are some who are single who post here. I am not disagreeing with that. But what I am seeing seems to be a decrease in these postings. (in)courage is becoming like many churches in America–oblivious to what is going on outside of the “four walls” and refusing to admit that not everyone’s situation looks like theirs. More diversity in this matter would be appreciated and would make for a richer community for all–one where all are welcomed, regardless of what they check on a demographic sheet.

    • Thank you for the congratulations! I read every word of what you shared, and I’ll certainly consider this as a I move forward in my new role. I appreciate you sharing your heart!

  42. Crystal,
    Congrats and your words here are encouraging and inspiring:”All the overlooked times weren’t God saying, β€œno” – just, β€œNot this one, not now. Save room.” And what I thought I’d lost with that former life and career? The loss opened the door for gifts beyond anything I could have hoped or imagined.”

    All the best on your new position,
    Dolly