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Savannah Scott Romcom Author

pursuing your dreams right now – in the middle of life’s chaos

October 25, 2017 By Patty 4 Comments

25 Oct

Life happens. Our dreams can easily get overlooked – clouded out by day-to-day responsibilities and concerns.  They sit on the shelf in our mind, packed neatly away and gathering dust.  Occasionally we bump into them, promising to pursue them sometime soon.  

photo by Erwan Hesry

The twists and turns of life have brought amazing and unexpected joys.  I’m not complaining about the roads I did not travel.  I love my life.  That said, when it comes to my dreams, so many distractions and diversions have prevented me from going after them with any sort of regularity or intention. 

These days my teen son could have a warning label on his forehead that reads something like: “Danger: prone to unpredictable moods and seriously poor choices.”  When we give birth, our heartstrings inextricably wind themselves around our children.  From that point forward, our children tug us around whether we like it or not!

photo by Joey Banks

What hurts my son pains me. What gives him joy brings me delight. When he struggles, I can’t simply go on with my day as usual. The magnetic pull called “motherhood” draws me to love him something fierce, want the very best for him and work to help him achieve his dreams. I watch him navigate life and I can’t help but wonder how it will all turn out.  If you parent a teen, I know I’m speaking your language.  Being the mom of an adolescent can be exhilarating. It can also be draining, overwhelming and plain old scary. 

All this focus on getting my son through this phase with the least amount of residual yuck has caused me to put my dreams at the bottom of my list.  Throwing in the towel on my own priorities has been tempting.  It seemed logical to wait until we’re through the tough stuff to get back to my calling. 

GOD GOT MY ATTENTION

The other day as I was praying, I felt a nudge from God. He said, “Don’t put your passion on the back burner.” I sat still, attempting to discern what He was leading me towards. Years ago I got my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. It had been one of my life’s dreams to be a counselor, writer and speaker. As things go, my career took off in a different direction and I never pursued my license. Though I did counseling and coaching on the side, and I do speak regularly, I never finished what I started.

Almost a year ago, God said, “now.” I knew it was time to start looking into the daunting task of accumulating the remaining 2500 hours of experience towards my license so I could actually fulfill my dreams. Simultaneously I was writing my first book with a colleague and moving forward with increased speaking opportunities.

Turmoil and unpredictability in our family life made me set aside much of what I wanted to achieve. I figured it wasn’t time to push through my goals and dreams. They needed to me. My dreams could wait.

photo by David Zawila

YOUR LIFE MATTERS

When God surprisingly whispered to me about pressing on, it took me off guard.  I need to cultivate my own life WHILE I mother my children, not after.  I know I’ll have to be flexible. Some days I’ll have to postpone, cancel or shift plans so that I can be more available to my family.  Filling my schedule with tasks and live web trainings while hoping my children make their own supper and clean behind their ears would be ridiculous. 

I am the only mom these boys have. I am the only wife (as far as I know!) that my husband has. Those precious roles of mom and wife come first and foremost.  God is showing me they aren’t exclusive.  I can have a life of my own and be present for my family.  It means taking care to avoid what my friend Lisa calls, “being the shoemaker whose kids go barefoot.”

You see, when I was about four or five (true story), I told my mom I wanted to be a writer, speaker and to help people who hurt.  I know that’s a tad young for traditional life-planning discussions, but hey.  Knowing where I was headed gave me a sense of purpose from an early age.  I pursued psychology electives in high-school.  I geared my majors and minors in college to line up with my calling.  Despite my innate intentionality, somewhere along the line I lost my focus.  Maybe I can blame it on the dive in estrogen and progesterone after giving birth, or the classic “mom brain.”

photo from rawpixel.com

Whatever it was, I forgot my dream.

GOD DIDN’T FORGET

But God.  Those two words sum up the hope I have.  God didn’t forget my dreams.  He held them, preserved, in a sweet spot.  At just the right time – what?! – yep, right now, in the middle of uncertainty and pain in our family, He whispers, “Don’t give up.”  When God speaks to that innermost place in my soul, I take note. 

This month I’ve been taking action to pursue more speaking opportunities, to refine what you read here at PattyHScott.com, and even to put together an e-book about parenting teens through crisis (filled with many hard-earned gems from this season in our home).  I’m having a BLAST! Our callings are life-giving.  They fill us to overflowing.  The people around us reap the blessings of our fullness.

NO ONE SAID IT WOULD BE EASY

It’s still challenging being where we are as a family.  True to form, God continues to bring amazing blessings out of trials.  I would never pick this time in my life to pursue sharing with others.  I would wait until the dishes were neatly washed and put away, the laundry was folded and in its drawers, the family issues were relatively non-existent and I had lost those last 10 pesky pounds.  In other words, I’d never get to my dream because there wouldn’t be an ideal time.  Stepping out into new territory gives me the heebie-jeebies when I feel this vulnerable. 

God didn’t say this would be easy.

photo by Natalie Collins

He said He would be with me.  And He is.


How about you? 

Do you have dusty dreams, lurking on shelves in your mind?  Have you let life crowd them out?  Have you stashed them away for a more ideal season?  Could it be that God is urging you to step out – even in baby steps – to pursue them?  Where could you be in a year if you took action towards those today?  Where will you be if you don’t?  I encourage you to spend time in prayer, asking God about your dreams.  Whatever you decide together, He is with you. 

 

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If you want to learn more about my availability to come speak to your group, you can go to my contact page on Christian Women Speakers or fill out my contact form.

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Finding Purpose and Goal Setting, Hearing God

About Patty

I write to encourage your heart, feed your soul, and give you wisdom for your life. Motherhood is my passion. I've been married to my surfer/skater husband for over 20 years.  We have two boys and a home full of neighbor kids most days.

« Three quick things you can do to be replenished when you are running on empty
What to do when you are on the verge of a mommy meltdown »

Comments

  1. Barbie says

    October 26, 2017 at 2:28 PM

    I haven’t given myself permission to dream for a long while. I barely get through each day. But I should try again, hope again, dream again. Blessings!

    Reply
  2. Patty says

    October 26, 2017 at 5:51 PM

    Barbie, Yes! I know it can feel “defeated before we start” sometimes. You’ve been through a lot of getting back up after being knocked down. It can feel like staying “down” a bit is easier after a while. Honestly, though, you have been such a blessing to me in my blogging life. You have helped me revamp this very site, answered questions, spurred me forward. I want to return the favor right now by saying, “yes,” go ahead and dream. Then put feet to your dreams. It’s not necessarily going to look the way we expect, but we will end up with fewer regrets and a sense of satisfaction for trying. Aim for the moon and you might at least catch a few stars! Love to you, friend.

    Reply
  3. Sherry Stahl says

    December 15, 2017 at 9:28 PM

    Patty,
    I think there’s something powerful in showing out kids HOW to follow hard after God’s plans. Let’s show them the way!
    Sherry Stahl
    xoxo

    Reply
    • Patty says

      December 16, 2017 at 7:32 AM

      Thanks, Sherry! It’s true. I remember my mom’s passions for helping battered women and working in the inner city. I also remember her hobbies of gardening, reading, and knitting. It’s hard to think of her without thinking of those passions. God’s plans aren’t always written in a straight line – because He writes with our brokenness. Still, I am grateful to have heard His urging in this season. I can’t wait to see more of where He guides you in the coming year. Blessings.

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Savannah …

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Ahhhh … enemies to more. 🔥 The banter is so f Ahhhh … enemies to more. 🔥
The banter is so fun!

Chris and Ella Mae start out getting on one another’s nerves … then, due to completely unexpected circumstances, they end up fake dating … and then they drive one another crazy in a whole different sense of the phrase 😉🥰

Ripped & Shipped comes out early May. I’m about 🤏 close to finishing it and sending it to my editor.

ARC Team sign ups will be coming for ebooks on Saturday (Apr 1). Paperback team is already selected and will be getting a welcome email by this weekend. 

We are going to have so much fun launching this book! I can’t even tell you the feelings I have … wrapping up this first Bordeaux series, writing this story that’s full of heart, and laughs, and kisses that make you grab a glass of ice water and fan yourself. 🔥😘🧊💦🫠

I’m so grateful you’re along for the ride. There aren’t words for the sweetness of sharing the Getting Shipped series with you. 💕

(And I’ve been loosely plotting the next series and getting excited as I start writing the Love Trippin’ books.) 💕

Do you love enemies to lovers?
Fake dating? 
Let me know … 

#wipwednesday #workinprogress #amwritingromance #amwritingromcom
#romcombooks #sweetromcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom
#savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #newrelease #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #lovestories #rippedandshipped #chellamaebae #rippedandshippedbook #bookstagrammers #bookstagram #romcom #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #bookexcerpt #shippers #Imashipper #Smalltownromance #ohiolove #smalltownromancebooks
Okay. So. Yes, we are still waiting for Ripped & Okay. So. 
Yes, we are still waiting for Ripped & Shipped to come out and be in your happy little hands on May 1st. 

But, authors are always (usually) a book ahead of the readers. 

And, this time, I’m a whole series ahead. 

I’m thinking about “Are We There Yet?” It’s the first book in the Love Trippin’ series. 

Four people from Bordeaux (yes!!) are traveling to California where the next series takes place. 

This first book takes place over a road trip (after a few chapters in Bordeaux, and before the later chapters in Cali).

So, I want to plan this road trip!
Im a road-tripper, and I grew up spending summers traveling from state to state with my family. 

I know my road trip stories. 
I want to hear YOURS! 
Leave it in the comments or DM me. 🚗🌳🚧🏔️

I’m not going to use your exact story, of course. But, if your story inspires something in the book, I’ll send you a free sticker and bookmark when “Are We There Yet” releases this summer. 

I’m so excited to share this new series with you!

#lovetrippin #lovetrippinseries #savannahscottauthor #savannahscott #romcombooks #sweetromcom #sweetromance #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #romcombooksaremyweakness #romcomreadersofinstagram #romancereadersofinstagram #bookstagram #roadtrippin #roadtripromance #roadtrippin #arewethereyet #arewethereyetbook
Writing retreat A few days on the central coast. Writing retreat 

A few days on the central coast. 

Views. 
Good food. 
Sweet conversation 
Getting so close to finishing Ripped & Shipped. 

Dreaming about the next series. 
Thinking about how to bless moms and women 

#writingretreat #amwriting #amwritingromance #amwritingromcom #romcomauthor #romcomreadersofinstagram #romancereadersofinstagram #bookstagram #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #cambriacalifornia #centralcoast #slocounty #moonstonebeach
Would the Rob & Laura fans raise your hands? 🙋🏼‍♀️

My husband and I are listening to the audiobook of Battleshipped together right now. It takes us forever because: life. But, it’s been fun to revisit their story. 

If you love a slightly geeky leading man, a strong female lead with a loyal heart and a persevering spirit, Battleshipped is for you. 

If you love second chance romcom with a dash of enemies to more, Battleshipped has all the “working hard to win her heart back” vibes. 

If you love laughing out loud until people look at you funny while you read. Yeah. There are those scenes. 

If you love a found-family friend group, and a quirky small town that will win your heart, come to Bordeaux. 

QOTD: Do you love when a brainy male lead becomes your book boyfriend? Which brainy male characters have stolen your heart? 

#battleshipped #battleshippedbook #bookexcerpt #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #smalltownromancebooks #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #secondchanceromance #goatsgoatsgoats #bordeauxohio #bookboyfriend #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #ohiolove #bookstagram #bookstagrammers
Is it Wednesday? Um no. No it is not. But, do y Is it Wednesday? 
Um no. No it is not. 

But, do you still want this #WIPWednesday teaser from Ripped & Shipped? Why yes, yes you do. 

I’ll tell y’all. This book is coming along. And it is scrum-diddly-umptious. 

We’re talking banterrrrrr!
And all the swoony enemy vibes. 

And then they start faking! 
What? yasssss. They fake. The enemies start to fake a romance. 

Then … a completely unexpected and sweeeet friendship develops. 

But, ruh-roh. One of them catches feelings (just quoting Duke here). 

And it gets so HOT ( in a very closed-door way) and so HEARTFELT. 

This story is special. It’s the last in Bordeaux. So I’m pouring it all out into this book. 

You’ve got Memaw, Esther, and Mabel. 
The Bordeaux friend group. 
Lulabelle 
Ella Mae
Cooter
And so much more. 

I’m not kidding when I say this may be my fave in series. 

And you know what it means when I say I’m about 3/4 done writing? Yep. I just might release this story in May … ARC Team wannabes, lace up your running shoes. I’ll be posting opportunities to join the few open spots the first week of April. ❤️

Wait til you see the cover, too. Gah. I love it!! 

#rippedandshipped #workinprogress #amwriting
#amwritingromance #amwritingromcom
#romcombooks #sweetromance #sweetromcom
#closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom
#savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio
#bordeauxohioforever #bookcoverdesign #newrelease
#ilovemyreaders #gettingshipped
#gettingshippedseries #lovestories
#chellamaebae #comehomeellamae
#rippedandshippedbook #bookstagrammers
#bookstagram #romancereadersofinstagram
#romcomreadersofinstagram #bookexcerpt
Heyyyyy ARC Team! If you were on the ARC team fo Heyyyyy ARC Team! 

If you were on the ARC team for Cruiseshipped, our exclusive ARC Team only book chat is coming!

Tomorrow (Thursday March 23) at 5p PT we’ll be gathering on zoom to talk about Cruiseshipped. 

I’m so grateful to each one of you for reading, sharing, and reviewing Cruiseshipped. ❤️ 

So … mark your calendars and set your alarms (and a countdown is in my stories!) and let’s talk all things Brooks + Gabby ❤️🚢💃🏻

#cruiseshipped #cruiseshippedbook #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #arcteamperks #bookchat #buddyread #ilovemyreaders #authorchat
Well, I’m back with another #mememonday and this Well, I’m back with another #mememonday and this one is featuring one of my favorite movies EVER: The Princess Bride!

Which slide do you like best? 

And … aside from posting here today, I’m writing! Ripped & Shipped (Chris’ story) is halfway done! 

I’m on a roll now, and my family is going to an amusement park for the day (without me), so I’m alone with Bella and my laptop. 

Then, this weekend, I’ve got a writing retreat. The final book in the Getting Shipped series is going to be written! 

Not saying we won’t have some novellas down the road … mayyyybe we could. (Who would you want to see in a Getting Shipped novella?)

I hope your Monday is GREAT!!

#bookmemes #bookishmemes #princessbride #asyouwish #amwriting #amwritingromcom #romcomauthor #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #savannahscottauthor #gettingshipped #rippedandshipped #gettingshippedseries
#mawwage #bookstagram #bookstagrammers #bookishcommunity
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