The Devoted Dreamers Podcast Merritt Onsa: Dream Coach | Faith-based Business Owner | Christian Entrepre

Find the show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/305
This episode is brought to you by the Devoted Dreamers Community Conversations call, held monthly on the last Wednesday at 10:30 AM Pacific / 1:30 PM Eastern. Register for free here: https://merrittonsa.com/connect
Do you struggle to recognize the beauty of your uniqueness?
Everywhere you look there’s evidence of the glorious ways God made other people: She’s got an eye for design. That one has a knack for speaking encouraging truth into other people’s struggles. Her every movement is so graceful and poised. I wish I could speak/write/entertain like she does.
Ultimately, we’re asking the question: God, why didn’t you make me like that?
We don’t intend to diminish God’s gifts in us; it’s more like we don’t recognize our gifts for what they are. We’ve lived our whole lives with these talents, this wiring, this personality. It doesn’t seem all that special compared to what we perceive as excellent in others. 
What will it take to begin recognizing the significance of your wiring and to boldly use your gifts for His glory?
In this episode of the Devoted Dreamers Podcast, my guest Michelle Acker offers a reminder that God’s design in each of us—including you—has a beautiful purpose! 
As you listen, pay close attention to what Michelle teaches us about: 
💡Practical ways to overcome the negative voices threatening your dream,
✨ Giving yourself the freedom to explore and express your passions, and
❤️ The gift of collaborating with another dreamer to create beauty TOGETHER!
This inspiring podcast episode is for any Christian woman in search of encouragement about how to use your skills, talents, and life experience for the big dreams God has planted in your heart.
 
NEXT STEPS: 
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Discovery Call
Get Connected with the Dreamers Facebook Community
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android 
MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.
 

Find the show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/304
Is it too late for me and my dream? 
If you had asked college-aged-me if my parents were old, I’m sure I would’ve said yes. And I wouldn’t have meant it as a compliment
But what about wisdom? What about the value of life experience? What does the Bible have to say about our value in the midst of inevitable aging?
When former podcast guest Heather Creekmore reached out to share her new book Aging Gratefully with me, I was convinced this was a topic we all need to consider. (Also, go listen to her previous episode, #231, on How to Trust God’s Calling on Your Life Even When You Feel Unqualified—it is among the top three downloaded Devoted Dreamers episodes of all time!)
If you’ve felt the pressure to be perfect or feared having missed your chance to pursue a dream, this conversation offers hope, truth, and a much-needed perspective shift that God’s calling transcends age because wisdom and experience are assets, not hindrances.
As you listen, pay close attention to what Heather’s story reveals about: 
💡Managing the fear of not feeling qualified for the dream God has given you (whether that’s age-related or something else)
✨ How to shift into a more biblical perspective that places a high value on long life and growing old,
❤️ Heather’s practical strategy for fighting back against the thoughts that would keep you and your dream in hiding
This inspiring podcast episode helps Christian women in their search for encouragement to use the skills, talents, and life experience for the big dreams God has given you. 
 
NEXT STEPS: 
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Discovery Call
Get Connected with the Dreamers Facebook Community
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android 
MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/303  
Are you afraid of what God might do with your dream? 
If fear has been a driving force in your dream (or lack thereof), it’s time to go deeper in your faith. Bible teacher and author Jen Weaver shares in this episode about how to manage the fear of not feeling qualified for the dream God has given you. 
Rather than quit when you hit a fear roadblock, you can choose to walk through your fears with God—who is the antidote to fear—and He will re-energize your faith with the truth of His Word. 
Jen is passionate about empowering believers to engage in every aspect of life WITH God. Her latest book A Beckoning to Wonder is a gorgeously illustrated poetry collection, helping you rest in God’s goodness as you re-energize your connection and experience the life-changing ease of wonder. 
As you listen to this episode, pay close attention to what Jen’s story can teach you about: 
💡Managing the fear of not feeling qualified for the dream God has given you,
❤️ The power of wonder to remove the burden of overthinking, and 
✨ Partnering with God to take the pressure off and embrace your dreams like a child: with the freedom to be a learner, to try things, to mess up and keep moving forward.
This inspiring podcast episode is for any Christian woman in search of encouragement about how to use your skills, talents, and life experience for the big dreams God has planted in your heart.
 
NEXT STEPS: 
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Discovery Call
Get Connected with the Dreamers Facebook Community
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android 
MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/302 
What do you do when a dream feels too hard? 
Somewhere along the journey of saying “yes” to a God-shaped dream you’ll probably ask yourself why in the world you did that. 
It’s no small thing to attempt something you’ve never done before like writing a book when you don’t know the first thing about publishing; or starting a business when you’ve always been a W-2 employee; or taking the risk of inviting strangers to purchase the art you’ve created, attend a workshop you’ll be teaching, or buy a product you’ve spent your creative energy building. 
It feels incredibly vulnerable to put yourself out there like this. And some days you might feel like quitting so you can go back to your “easy, normal life.” 
I don’t blame you. We all have those moments, but there’s actually a great deal of hope in the messy middle as well, and that’s what I have to share with you in this episode. 
Pop in your earbuds and you’ll learn all about: 
🪤The 3 traps you’ll encounter when you’re in the messy middle of a big dream
🏃‍♀️Practical advice for how to navigate the messy middle without giving up
❤️Finding strength to persevere in community with others dreamers facing similar trials
This encouraging podcast episode is for any Christian woman in search of encouragement about how to use your skills, talents, and experience for the big dreams God has planted in your heart.
Join us for my next free monthly call on Zoom with other devoted dreamers 
 
 
NEXT STEPS: 
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Let’s Chat
Join the Facebook Community
Support the Podcast 
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android 

Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/301 
Is there a God-nudge you’ve been ignoring? 
Rachel Bates never imagined starting a nonprofit; in fact, even as she leads the Beauties ministry, this role feels outside of her comfort zone and skill set on most days. The reason she said ‘yes’? Beauties has touched Rachel’s life and the faith of her young daughter so deeply. She couldn’t ignore the Spirit’s prompting to grow the ministry and reach girls beyond her home community—or that she was the one to begin this work.
Now, looking back, she can see the breadcrumbs of God’s hand leading her from a teaching career, to mothering, and then to this opportunity. At the same time, she knew nothing about nonprofit leadership before sitting down with an attorney to discuss next steps. In order to be obedient to the call, she knew she would have to surround herself with others who had the skills and experience she lacked. 
Rachel candidly shares about her struggles with self-doubt and on-going battle with perfectionism, sharing scriptures that keep her anchored continuing to embrace the joys and challenges of this role.
As you listen to this episode, pay close attention to what Rachel’s story can teach you about trusting the Lord as you pursue a dream outside your comfort zone, including: 
💡 Why we hesitate to listen to those “God nudges” about the big dreams He’s given us (and what’s really at play there),

✨ How to find courage to say “yes” to the adventure God has for you, and

❤️ The transformative power of stepping into the identity He has given you in Christ.
This encouraging podcast episode is for any Christian woman in search of encouragement about how to use your skills, talents and experience for the big dreams God has planted in your heart.
  
NEXT STEPS:
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Discovery Call
Get Connected with the Dreamers Facebook Community
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.

Find show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/300 
Is it possible to miss God’s plan for your life? 
This is what Tracey Gates wondered as the years went by while she raised children and worked odd jobs along the way. She knew God had made her for more, but could she have missed it?
Tracey always had a dream in her heart to write a book but she had no idea how to begin or what the topic would be. It didn’t seem urgent at the time. The idea would come up in conversation with a friend or her spouse but there was never enough clarity to move forward. 
In her 40s, the dream was still there. By the time she reached her 50s, Tracey realized that the comfort she once felt about this someday-dream to write a book no longer felt comfortable. It was actually frightening. Had she missed God’s plan?
As you listen to this episode, pay close attention to what Tracey’s story can teach you about finding your unique calling and purpose, including:
✨ How to overcome fear and find the courage to write,

❤️ The transformative power of daily acts of kindness, and
🗝️ Two questions that were the key to unlocking & discovering her full purpose.
This encouraging podcast episode is for any Christian woman in search of encouragement about how to use your skills, talents and experience for the big dreams God has planted in your heart.
NEXT STEPS:
Get Connected with the Dreamers Facebook Community
Connect with Merritt: Website || Instagram || Book a Discovery Call
Leave a Review: Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Subscribe: on Apple Podcasts * on Android
MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTED DREAMERS PODCAST:
Produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
Theme music by Reaktor Productions.
Ad music by Komiku.