When Reality Tries to Steal Your Dreams

Sometimes life—the everyday, the mundane, the tedious—can chip away at your dreams. What once seemed possible gets lost in routine; what once brought hope and excitement slaps in the face. Reality turns harsh, a cruel taskmaster demanding more time, vitality, strength, making us wonder if the vision is really worth it, really feasible.

Honestly, I’m at that place right now. Reality reminds me that dreams don’t pay the bills, dreams take time, dreams take work, dreams take commitment and vision to see beyond. Dreams require faith. Dreams require hope.

Dreams demand all the things reality steals.

And then I think of Joseph—of all the dreams he had, the ones God was faithful to fulfill—and I realize none of his dreams were dreamt in the place of possibility. All of his dreams came to him in hostile, impractical places, environments of improbability. And he had to make a choice: believe the vision or focus solely on what he could see.

Believers pay a price. Sometimes it’s time, sometimes it’s possession, sometimes it’s relationship or status or opportunity. But, believers who hold onto their dreams always realize them. Joseph went through many ups and downs. After years of unfairness, things were finally looking up and he gained the recognition he deserved. Then, in an instant, a false accusation knocked him all the way back down to the bottom for another years-long stretch of undeserved reality.

But he chose to hold on. He chose to believe. He chose to continue dreaming. And in the end, it was all worth it. Those dreams from the very beginning, those dreams others laughed at and mocked, those dreams that seemed impossible came true.

God used reality—the imprisonment, the unfairness, the improbable, the unlikely—to prepare him for the fulfillment of his dreams.

Be encouraged today. Sometimes reality is harsh, unfair, but if God has given you a dream, refuse to give up on it. Make the choice to believe and follow in spite of, no matter how impossible it seems. He works in ways we cannot see or understand. He uses our experiences to prepare us. Remember, God cannot lie. If He said it, He must do it. He is His word. If He has given you a dream, He will fulfill it.

For nothing will be impossible with God. – Luke 1:37 (HCSB)

“I watch over my word to accomplish it.” – Jeremiah 1:12b (HCSB)

Linking with:

Shari @ leavingalegacyblog.net

Your Latter Will Be Greater

It’s almost strange to look at this sign now—it seems like the punch line of a joke or part of the lyrics to a bad country song—but it’s a real place way down in south Georgia; it’s where I’m from. I grew up on Lonesome Road, not far from this intersection. And although I never really thought about it much in my younger years, now that I’m older, I more fully appreciate the significance of this marker...

I'm honored to be guest-posting for Shari at Leaving A Legacy today. Click here to continue reading over at her place: 

 

   

  

Also Linking with:

Laura @ http://www.beholdingglory.com/
Jennifer @ http://studiojru.com/blog/
Michelle @ http://www.nictomsmom.blogspot.com/
Stacy @ http://www.heartprintsofgod.com/

The World is Smaller than I Realized

For a long time, the concept of “the world” was too big for me. I had difficulty personalizing it, giving it parameters. Phrases like, “Go ye into all the world,” and “You are the light of the world” seemed so impossible—a task reserved only for those able to take Jesus to far off places, an assignment specifically for those who have interest in other cultures and peoples.

I failed to realize that “the world” was waiting right outside my front door. I didn’t understand that I stepped into it everyday.

My world is “the world.”

I am a missionary.

I am a gospel carrier.

I am a light shiner.

Acts 1:8 tells us to that when we receive His power, we will be witnesses at home first, then in increasingly larger areas. Jerusalem: my city. Judea: my state. Samaria: my country. The ends of the earth: other places.

The world starts right where I am. It’s not out there; it’s right here. It’s my responsibility to share His good news.

And as I witness for Him where I am, my world becomes larger, opportunities are created, borders are expanded. With each day comes the chance to go a little further.

Be encouraged today. You are important. What you do and say matters. You are His light, His witness. You take Him everywhere you go.

Your world is “the world.” Don’t wait for someone else to do it—it’s your job.

Let your light shine, lift Him up—that’s how He draws people in. (John 12:32)

You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:14-16 (HCSB)

Linking with:

http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com/
http://www.eph2810.com/
Shari @ leavingalegacyblog.net
http://intentional.me/
Eileen for Into the Beautiful 

Rhythm and Blues

Tick, tick, tick, tick—steady goes the sound. What is usually comforting, balanced now seems demanding, draining, rigid. I used to like the constant repetition and predictability, but now it just mocks me. I can’t keep up. One step behind, I’ve lost my rhythm, my sense of time—I can’t perceive the next movement or feel the next note. But the metronome just keeps ticking, running measure into measure, note into note, no sign of rest ahead.

The beat goes on.

And so must I.

So I turn to the One who wrote the song, who keeps time in His hands.

I choose to rest in His words.

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. – Psalm 139:1-10 (NIV)   

Linking with:
Shanda for On Your Heart Tuesday 
Joan for The Beauty in His Grip
Jen for Soli Deo Gloria

It's Not Just the Words

I feel like I’ve run out of words. Ideas swirl around in my brain—concepts and thoughts I’d like to articulate—but every time I sit down, try to process, hash out on paper, nothing flows. All my words were once reserved for this place, but now that I’m working again, I have to use them more freely, for things less important.

“Would you like mustard or mayo on that?” “Sure, I can add an extra shot,” and “That’ll be $3.77”—such are the words that now fill my days. By the time I get home I feel like I’ve met my quota, having replaced all the good, significant ones with a coffee and sandwich language that has no substance or value.

But I’m learning through my search for vocabulary, in my struggle to find a voice for weightier thoughts, that it’s not just words with greater significance that matter.

Every word we speak matters.

And just as important, if not more so, is the way we speak them.

People can sense the love, peace, grace, mercy, and caring of Jesus (or lack thereof) through little words—ones we think don’t matter, ones we think hold no value. They can tell by the look in our eyes, our movements, our demeanor, our attitudes—even in the little words, even with no words—Who lives within us or Who doesn’t.

I want my words and the way I say them to point to Jesus.

I want to be a light in a dark world.

I want to show the love of Christ everywhere, in everything. Not only in the places I use greater words and an extended vocabulary, but also in the places I speak small words, serving words.

A kind expression and gentle tone have power. Will you use them today?

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. – Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. – Colossians 4:6 (MSG)

Linking with:

Laura @ http://www.beholdingglory.com/
Jennifer @ http://studiojru.com/blog/
Michelle @ http://www.nictomsmom.blogspot.com/
Stacy @ http://www.heartprintsofgod.com/

Peace

For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.

We’re bold and free before God! 

We’re able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we’re doing what he said, doing what pleases him.

As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us.

I John 3:20-24 (MSG)

Do you need peace in your life today? Obey.

True peace can only be found through surrender and commitment to His words and ways.

Black Sheep

Ostracized

Victimized

Left to die

Black sheep

Vilified

Hands tied

Constant cries

Black sheep

Tries to hide

Shrinks inside

Has no pride

Black sheep

Never enough

Pretends to be tough

All pent up

Black sheep

Then he met the Shepherd

Vindicated

Exonerated

Emancipated

Black sheep

Justified

Lifted high

Joy inside

Black sheep

Free to roam

Found a home

Never alone

Black sheep

No more pain

Shed his shame

Changed his name

Black sheep

Packing Extra

My daughters and I had many conversations like this one last school year, and as we prepare to start the new year, I can’t help but think we’ll have them again:

Wednesday: “M didn’t have a lunch today, Mama. She said her dad told her not to get a tray at school because he’s not going to pay the bill. She said she forgot to make it. I gave her my candy bar and she hugged me and told me thank you.”

Thursday: “M didn’t have a lunch again today. I guess she forgot again. I feel bad since she can’t get a tray.”  “Is this the same girl who didn’t have lunch last week?” I ask. “No, Mama, that’s N. She has lunch this week, so I guess they were able to go to the store.”  “I guess I should start packing extra for M—I feel bad for her.”

“Does anyone know she doesn’t have a lunch, like a teacher or someone else?” I ask, thinking maybe someone at school should know and perhaps try to find out what’s going on.

But it really doesn’t matter if they know.

What matters is that I know.

There are children at my daughters’ lunch table who sometimes don’t have food to eat. Is it possible they have dead beat parents? Yes. Is there a chance they don’t know about the free and reduced lunch program? Yes. Could the kids sometimes just forget to make their lunches? Yes. Can these families not afford food? Possibly. Are these children taking care of themselves with little parental involvement? Could be.

I don’t need to know why they don’t have lunches—it really doesn’t matter. The point is I know there are children at the table who walk away hungry. I have to decide what I’m going to do with that knowledge.

And I think about my babies sitting at the table with nothing to eat. Maybe they had a rough morning and forgot their lunch boxes. Do they deserve to endure the long, hard school day with no sustenance because of a mistake? Would I want someone to look at my child with compassion, without judgment and offer a part of his meal?

We’re going to pack extra every day. We’re going to be ready just in case. We’re going to be the ones people know to go to if they don’t have quite enough. We’re going to provide the help someone needs.

Every day we meet people who don’t have enough. It’s not our job to judge the place they’re in or determine why they don’t have what they need. It’s our job to help, to lead them to Living Water, to give them the Bread of Life.

With knowledge comes responsibility.

That’s someone’s baby—that’s a soul in need of grace. And we have to decide what we’re going to do—see the need and walk away in self-righteous arrogance or pack extra, be willing to give what we so freely have received.

What about you? Is there an area in your life where you could pack a little extra for someone else? God will use you if you let Him. You could be the answer to someone’s lack, the answer to a mama’s prayer.

Join me in packing extra today—an extra smile, an extra encouraging word, extra grace—you never know whose life He’ll change; you never know when you’ll be the one needing extra.

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. ~ Philo

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.  ~Leo Buscaglia

‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ - Matthew 25:37-40 (NIV)

Linking with:

http://womenlivingwell.org/category/women-living-well-wednesdays/
http://internetcafedevotions.com/
http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/
http://thingsicantsay.com

Just One

 

“Your daughter has been recommended for remediation and will need to attend math lab daily.” At first I thought it was a joke—big grin, halfway laughing, she told me she was sent to a special class for math, but the next day when I received the note from her teacher on school letterhead, I knew this was no laughing matter. I was dumbfounded. She’s been a straight A student since Pre-K. Obviously, someone had made a mistake.

But apparently there was no mistake. According to a single test score from the previous year, her math skills were deemed to be severely lacking, requiring specialized, intensive instruction in that area in order to be able to score grade level on the next test. She would be sent to a math intervention lab daily, all because of this single test score.

To say that I was upset is an understatement. Had they not looked at her records? Nothing in her whole history gave even the slightest indication that there had ever been any problem. She even had an A average in math when they tried to remove her from the class. It just didn’t make good sense. Did they not take into account all of these factors?  

Apparently not. Because of just one score her abilities were questioned; because of a singular incident her educational future was going to change. Because just one score was isolated, taken out of context, and inflated, she was being made to prove what was already known. But no one looked at all of her success, instead they honed in on the one failure, the one weak moment, the one bad day, the one poor score and judged her capacity accordingly.

We do that to each other all the time. Instead of seeing a soul, someone in need of grace, our reflection without God’s mercy, we judge harshly based on just one action, one bad day, one mistake, one indiscretion, one weak moment, one poor attitude. We rob each other of a chance for a future; we negatively impact each other’s ability to seek and receive grace; we alter each other’s capability to see Jesus in us.

Everyone messes up. Everyone needs grace. Everyone requires a second chance. Everyone deserves to have his life viewed in context instead of bad moments being isolated, blown out of proportion, and held high and announced for all to see.

Just one drop of Jesus’ precious blood is all it takes. Just one prayer, just one act of grace, just one smile, just one glance without judgment and pretense.

Just one moment of mercy can save someone’s life.

Just one person who is willing to look past a bad day and see the whole—the soul in need of a Savior.

Just one person who is willing to remember her own need of grace, of Jesus, of a second chance.

Just one.

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16 (NIV)

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. – Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)

Linking with:
Shanda for On Your Heart Tuesday 
Eileen for Into the Beautiful
Lauren for Heart and Home

Delayed is Not Denied

Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.” - Daniel 10:12-13

Daniel prayed but didn’t receive his answer for three weeks because it was delayed. God heard him the first time and sent an answer, but other powers, the ones in between the expanse of spoken word and their existence, those in the air— the dead space hovering between us and God—fought the delivery of the answer. Delay is not denial; it is a fight. Satan fought against the transfer of Daniel’s answer. He didn’t want him to have it and battled God’s messenger for it.

It is easy to mistake delay for denial.

God hears the first time we pray, and He often answers quickly, but Satan doesn’t want us to have the answers. He wants us to struggle, wonder, wander, forget, lose hope, and stop praying. He knows that if he fights against us and the answer, we will begin to interpret delay as denial. So, he dispatches forces to the heavens to delay our provision and works in our minds to convince us to give up.

This plan has worked on me many times. I have given up, assured that although God hears He isn’t answering because of something I’ve done wrong or because I’m not in His will.

Why would Satan fight my answers? I’m nobody. Doesn’t he know he’s wasting his time?  And in that very point lies the answer. He hasn’t wasted his time. He’s won. He’s swayed my thinking and helped me commit to the idea that God doesn’t care. He’s persuaded me to stop because it won’t matter anyway.

It does matter. God does care. I have to keep believing that somewhere there’s an angel in route with my message. He’s fighting to get it to me. I have to help him get it to me. I have to keep praying and believing. I have to push back against the forces that tell me to stop.

Are you waiting for an answer today? Don’t give up. God hears you and has sent the answer. Fight for it. Keep believing, keep working, keep praying. Satan wants you to stop. He wants you to give up. Don’t be ignorant of his schemes. He is the father of all lies. His goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. Combat his tactics by speaking truth—God’s word— into your life. Find Scriptures applicable to your situation and pray them. This will increase your faith and counteract the works of the enemy. God watches over His word, He is bound by His word, He is His word. He will do what He has said.

Delay is not denial; it is a fight.

Linking with:
Michelle for Hear it Sunday, Use it Monday
Carissa for Miscellany Monday
Joan for The Beauty in His Grip
Jen for Soli Deo Gloria

In Case You Have Forgotten

Some days I forget how truly blessed I am.

Sometimes I fail to see God’s provision for the moment.

Some hours I live minute by minute, seeing nothing but my failures and flaws, wondering why I didn’t give up a long time ago.

Because sometimes I forget—His words, His promises, His grace, His infinite mercy and love.

So, on the off chance you’re like me,

In case you have forgotten,

I would like to remind you today:

The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. – 2 Chronicles 16:9

When you trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean to your own understanding, submitting all your ways to Him, He will direct you. – Proverbs 3:5-6

God has plans for you—plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. When you pray to Him, He will listen. When you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him. – Jeremiah 29:11-13

You can be confident that He will complete the work He started in you. – Philippians 1:6

He will keep you in perfect peace when you keep your mind steadfast, trusting in Him. – Isaiah 26:3

When you delight in Him, He will make your steps firm, and although you stumble, you will not fall, because the Lord is upholding you with His hand. – Psalm 37:23-24

The Lord is your stronghold in times of trouble; salvation comes from Him. The Lord will help you and deliver you when you take refuge in Him. – Psalm 37:39-40

Be encouraged. No matter how many promises God has made, they are yes in Christ (2 Cor.1:20). He loves you with an unfailing love. He knows right where you are and what you are doing. He has not forgotten you. He is with you. He will fulfill His promises. He cannot lie; He must do what He says. He is for you and not against you. Commit yourself fully to Him—you will not be denied. We are overcomers by His blood and by the word of our testimonies (Rev. 12:11).

In case you have forgotten—

We win.

Linking with:

Laura @ http://www.beholdingglory.com/
Jennifer @ http://studiojru.com/blog/
Michelle @ http://www.nictomsmom.blogspot.com/
Stacy @ http://www.heartprintsofgod.com/

What's My Motivation?

“Oh, good, that’ll give you something to do now.” I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard that over the past couple of days. And I know it is well-intentioned, but it really doesn’t make me feel so great about myself. It leaves me with the feeling that people think this new part time barista job is going to fill my life with the purpose and meaning I’ve obviously been missing out on, because we all know if you don’t work outside the home, there’s really nothing to do all day, especially if your children are in school.

I know they don’t mean it that way, but that’s the way I take it, because I’ve been thinking a lot about quitting lately, and this remark only serves as proof of what I’ve been feeling. “This writing is going nowhere. It doesn’t matter. Look at all the rejections you’ve received lately—that’s obviously a sign. Your blog gave you something you needed for a while, but look, you’re obviously not that great—if you were things would have taken off already. And besides, if your friends took you seriously, if they thought you offered something worth reading, if they thought this was going somewhere, if your style was good or your message needed, why would they be glad that you finally have something to do—wouldn’t they think you’re already doing something?”

Every day for the past couple of weeks, I’ve battled these thoughts. And honestly, most days they win. Each time I sit down to write, I plan for it to be my last.

But then I remember these words: Don’t compare yourself to others. You have your own unique voice, your own style. No one else can do exactly what you can the way you can. No one else is specifically designed to reach the people I have prepared for you. I made you with others in mind, so be who you are—that’s who I need you to be.

And maybe those people designed for me aren’t thousands of readers. Maybe it’s just one other mom who is about to give up but because she found an encouraging post on my blog decided to keep going. Isn’t she just as important as the masses? Jesus thinks so.

My priorities haven’t been in the right place. I’ve been more concerned about feeling important or getting noticed than I have about helping just one. I’ve lost sight of what really matters. I’ve wanted to quit because I’m not getting what I think I deserve.

What about you—do you feel like quitting? Is it because you don’t think you’re getting the recognition you deserve? Join me. Let’s refocus, reprioritize. Remember, it’s not about you, it’s about Him.

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. – Proverbs 16:2-3 (NIV)

Fresh Brewed Grace

It’s always been difficult for me to accept grace. My proclivity for perfectionism has made it nearly impossible for me to receive it freely from anyone, especially myself. This inability has caused major problems in my life. For years I starved myself—of food, of mercy, of love, of acceptance, of God. Somehow I thought self-inflicted punishments could atone for my my lack. People thought it was all about fat or thin when really, it was all about control. I had to compensate for what I couldn’t be, what I couldn’t give, what I couldn’t receive.

I eventually learned to accept God’s grace—the clemency I never could have earned anyway, but I didn’t allow into every area of my life. I compartmentalized it, only acknowledging it in certain places. I accepted grace for my body but not for my mind. And although I’ve made improvements over the years, I realize I’ve never let myself off the hook. I still punish myself by imposing unachievable standards. I sabotage my own ability to receive grace.

But today, standing clueless beside an espresso machine, pulling shots for the first time, making mistakes left and right, I finally grasped the concept: God doesn’t expect perfect. I don’t have to get it right all the time—I can’t get it right all the time. I have to allow myself time to learn, space to grow, room to breathe. It’s a process. Making no room for mistakes creates no space for growth.

He is perfect so I don’t have to be. He doesn’t ask me to be what I have no power to be on my own. I can rest in His mercy; He makes up for my lack. He does everything I can’t. When I give Him everything, mistakes and all, He takes it, siphons it through His love, transforms it for His purpose. He doesn’t need my perfection; He asks me to rely on His.

Be encouraged today. Jesus loves you, mistakes and all. He is perfect so you don’t have to be. Stop wasting your energy trying to fix what is beyond your repair. Rest in His grace—He is working on your behalf.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)

Linking with:
http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com/
http://www.eph2810.com/
leavingalegacyblog.net
http://intentional.me/