I've been thinking a lot about dreams lately because I have some pretty enormous ones. The funny thing about dreams is that not everyone has the same ones. Some people dream of being rich and famous. Some dream of accomplishing a great athletic feat like running a marathon or becoming a professional athlete. There a millions of kinds of dreams and they are as varied as the people that have them.
I know that most people think my dreams are crazy. Who would dream of giving away everything they own, moving to a third world country, (away from most of the people they love) and living totally by faith in God? Not many at all actually. It has to be a God given dream. I can't imagine ever having dreams of being famous, a politician, an athlete...those things seem crazy to me. Necessary (I guess) but crazy. But that's not my dream. Maybe it's yours.
Living your dream, no matter what it may be takes work. Hard work. Sometimes you will feel like it's impossible. Sometimes you will doubt if that dream is really the right one for you. The thing about dreams though is, if it's worth doing it won't be easy. Athletes aren't just born good at their sport. It takes years of hard work and practice to build up the skill and strength to be good. It takes the perfect balance of skill, discipline and talent to do what they do.
Even something like being a parent can be a dream. But any parent will tell you becoming a parent was (for most people) the easy part. Raising kids requires decades of self sacrifice, discipline, and lots of hard work. Which seems to me like its the recipe for living any dream worth dreaming.
A long, long time ago, I tutored 2nd graders. In those class rooms I would always see signs that said things like "go confidently in the direction of your dreams" "if you can dream it you can do it" "DREAM BIG" "Shoot for the stars, if you miss you will still reach the moon" and tons of other little statements about dreaming. I loved it. I'm a strong believer in dreams. I'm a dreamer. But the real world is hard on dreamers. The real world says "be practical" "be normal" "how can you even think of doing something like that?" "Maybe you should rethink this" Strive for a big house, a good job, a nice car (or 3), 2.5 kids and maybe a dog. Or as my Pastor says "get all you can, can all you get, and sit on the can" People long for comfort. I'm not going to lie, one of my dreams involves an ocean view with a bay window and a good book. Total comfort dream. But I know that God made me for greatness and that is not going to happen if my only desire is to be comfortable.
So if you wonder how I feel really. Overall about everything we are doing. This is the answer. It's hard. Really, really hard. But I am living my dream and I love it. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
What's your dream?
Kathryn,
ReplyDeleteYou are living my dream. It varies slightly in terms of location. :) I am very proud of you and Jose. You are right, it takes an incredible amount of faith.
Mark and I pray for you guys daily!
My prayer is that I glorify God in all that I do, say, think, and even feel. My dream is that by leading people to His cross by walking there myself... every person I cross paths with will fall on their faces, broken and repentive, proclaiming Him as Savior and Lord of their life.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being His instrument... thak you for eyes that see, ears that hear, mouths that speak, hearts that break, spirits that bow down to Him, and bodies that react.
"Knowing is not enough, we must apply; Willing is not enough, we must do." ~Goethe~
"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? SO ALSO FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS IS DEAD." (James 2:14-17)
Thank you for your faithfulness:)