When I was younger I knew how to dream. I dreamed without reservations and in spite of what I saw in front of me. The lack of resources, ability, and knowledge did not factor into my dreams at all. I was not yet tainted by the world or my experiences with it. I dared to dream of all the things my heart desired. As I grew up and life happened, as it always does, I learned to let go of my "impossible" dreams. I found that if I lowered my expectations for my life there were less opportunities for me to be disappointed by it. So I let go of it all, every last dream; and I stopped dreaming for years, without consciously knowing it. For many years I was just surviving, going from goal to goal and never thinking about those dreams I had dared to dream in my childhood. Let me make one thing clear, my life was good; I was studying something I enjoyed, working with people who had become family, volunteering my weekends to helping people in need. I was in no way drowning in misery nor did I hate my life. I simply was not daring to dream the dreams that were hidden in the depths of my soul. There was a yearning deep within me that was begging to be set free... Then, about a year and a half ago God began to call me to dream and to dream big. He reminded me of all those dreams I had long forgotten and after much hesitation and internal wrestling I chose to truth God not just with my life but with all my hopes and dreams. From that moment I dared to dream again, all those bold and seemingly impossible dreams slowly came back. There was no moment of clarity it has been little moments of choosing to to truth when new dreams come to life inside me. The first of these dreams was Graduate School, Seminary to be specific... this dream came with something unexpected. For it to come true I had to move from Texas to Virginia; this meant leaving family, home, job, friends, and church with just trailer full of belongings. This was scary but it was worth it. Then deep inside me the dream of working in ministry (as a vocation) came back to life; this meant I would no longer receive the luxuries of the corporate world but it also came with the joy and peace of the Lord and in knowing that I am where He would have me. The scariest of all the dreams I have ever dared to dream has been revived inside of me. I dare not vocalize it before it's time but I know that God has placed it in my soul and that in His perfect timing, and not a moment sooner, it will come to pass in this present world. In part, I think it has come out of the other two dreams coming true but in part it comes from the child in me that has escaped and is painting my soul with dreams. I know there are other dreams ready to come out of the depths of my soul and into the light of my present thoughts but for now I will focus on enjoying those dreams that have come true and praying for God's guidance for those I am still dreaming about. I am excited to share this journey with my friends and family and I hope that it serves to remind each of you that it is never too late to reclaim the dreams of your youth. If the Lord gave me the strength to reclaim my long lost dreams then He can do the same for you.
