Do you like to dream?
I love to dream!
How often do you dream? If we were to talk about dreaming during sleep, I’d say that I dream at least a few nights during the week. Maybe I do dream more often than I realize and just don’t remember. When I do dream, it’s usually about the most bizarre things. I often wake and wonder, “What on earth caused me to dream that?” The dreams that I hate are the one where I dream I’m falling and I wake in a panic, trying to catch myself. Then there are some pretty fabulous dreams that I end up waking up in the middle of, just when it’s getting really good. I try to force myself back to sleep, hoping that my dream will pick back up where I woke at. That never happens.
How about other dreams? Dreams of things you like to do or what you like to become? How often do you let yourself dream those kinds of dreams?
I think I was born a dreamer. I remember when I was eight years old I had a dream to barrel race with my pony, Princess. I loved going to rodeos and watching the cowgirls race around the barrels. I thought it was so amazing and wanted to do it too. I shared my dream with my Dad, who got some barrels and set them up in one of the fields. I hopped on my beloved pony and headed for the first barrel. It soon became apparent, that Princess didn’t share this dream with me and wanted no part of the barrels. My dream ended at the first barrel.
Then there was the dream of wanting to join “The A-Team”
with my brother and our bikes. We were
going to change our names and everything – I was going to be Ralph and he was
going to be Sandy
A lot of my childhood dreams didn’t pan out. They weren’t realistic. I mean, what record label would want to sign a deal with a 7 year old who sings her lungs out to a Rainbow Bright cassette tape using a curling iron for a microphone? Cute? Maybe, yes. And object for stardom? Well, only in the hearts of my parents.
My childhood dreams didn’t pan out, because they didn’t really hold a lot of substance. There is one dream in particular that did hold a lot of substance and ended up defining my life. It was a dream that came very early on; I was only about 3 or 4 years old. And strangely it’s not even a dream that I remember talking about, but one my mom heard me talk about more than once. The dream: When I grow up I want to travel all over the world and tell boys and girls about Jesus.
It’s pretty obvious that God stamped that dream on my
heart. The dream is two-fold: a heart of
missions combined with a specific passion for children’s ministry. Reflecting on this dream now, 30 years later,
I see it has and is continually coming to pass. I love, love, love living this dream!!!
This dream is one that opens up so much dreaming within it. What places do I want to travel to so I can tell children about Jesus? I’ve already been to
Dreaming about this dream or new ones that I find God placing on my heart is like breathing for my soul. Breathing is something that is natural for us; we don’t even have to think about it - That’s how dreaming is for me. However, some dreams do need some effort put in them, so think of it as your breathing during a brisk walk. Then there are some dreams that require a lot more effort over an extended period of time. It kind of reminds me of walking up or even running up a huge, long hill. It’s hard work! You’re huffing and puffing and at some points think you might die, but once you reach the top you feel so ALIVE!!! Not matter how dreaming may come to me – easy or hard – the fact is, I love every minute of it! Because the dreams God places in my heart are the ones I get to live out!
I look forward to the dreams of today, tomorrow and the days
ahead. I hope I never stop dreaming. Dreaming makes me feel so alive and I don’t ever want my
soul to lose its breath.
I. LOVE.
DREAMING!
I love that I can say my friend is a dreamer, and it isn't a bad thing. Ever since I knew you (half our lives ago...plus some) you have had a bright and cheery spirit. I pray that your dreams would continue to be God inspired and granted. :)
ReplyDeleteGrace Long