How did I get here?

A video link came to my email box this morning that was just what I needed for encouragement today.  Before me are several opportunities and subsequent decisions.  Perhaps you find yourself in the same situation – facing several options or choices – which do you choose?

I often struggle with past decisions made based upon my belief that God was leading me down a particular path.  Then, when that particular path doesn’t seem to lead to where I thought it would, or if the destination looks different than expected, I find myself confused and begin asking all sorts of questions.

Did I “hear” God correctly?

Were my decisions based I upon what I thought to be best? Or was I really listening to God’s leading?

Was I impatient or impulsive (not all that unusual for me!) or did I step forward too quickly?

How did I get here?  It looks totally unfamiliar!  This was not what I had planned.

Author and speaker Beth Moore gives guidance towards these questions in this video recorded at the Catalyst 2010 conference.  It’s only a few minutes long – watching it makes me want to see more.

Catalyst East 2010: Beth Moore from Catalyst on Vimeo.

Just as Beth shares in this video, perhaps I too have been focusing my energies on the destination rather than on my experience with God while on the journey.  She stresses that we are to focus on the One we are following rather than getting caught up in the destination.  

God’s desire is for a relationship with me and with you – He wants us to know Him and trust Him more today than we did yesterday.  Sometimes God may allow us to take a particular journey in order that we experience His love in a new way – the destination may not be important but the journey sure was! 

This has been my experience on more than just a few occasions.  For some of them, I’m thankful that the place I was headed was not where God would have me remain.  Rather, it was the journey to and back from those places that have given me the ability to know Him differently and trust Him more deeply than I ever had before. 

What about you?  Are you on a journey towards a particular destination or goal and now wonder if you are on the right path?  Have you reached a destination that looks completely different than you expected?

I’m learning to refocus my vision on the One who created me -- the One who places desires and dreams in my heart.  Even though I my get sidetracked, distracted — and even disappointed, I won’t be discouraged.  I know that God can handle my regrets, missteps and failures; and that, when I turn to Him, He can and will work out all things for my good and His glory.

Chatting with a dreamer.....

The other day I had tea with a fellow dreamer.

She’s living out her dream.  As she shared stories of her journey so far -- there was fresh excitement in her voice and new joy in her eyes.  She’s worked hard, sacrificed and juggled multiple roles to reach this point in her dream. 

We cried – dreams really do come true.

Part of her dream involves rescuing the oppressed and exploited.  She is a warrior who has joined the ranks of other brave freedom fighters on a mission to combat horrific injustices.  This strong army is committed to fan the flame of hope in the hearts of the hopeless, forgotten, and cast aside throughout the farthest reaches of our world.

I’m living out my dream too – but like my fellow dreamer, I’m learning that endurance, discipline and balance are all part of keeping the pace on this journey.  

I need endurance to keep going when the road to my dream leads uphill.  I find that the slightest rejection, tremor of fear or rising insecurity can slow me down.   It happens to all of us, doesn’t it?  We think our dreams are too lofty, too expensive or too time consuming and push them off into a remote corner of our heart.  Don’t give up on your dream!  Try spending time with other dreamers who will cheer you on – its amazing how quickly our strength is renewed with just a few words of encouragement. 

I need discipline to continue pursuing my dream.  Discipline involves training and having a regular pattern of ongoing behavior.   Some dream journeys will require that we set aside a specific time each day, each week or each month working on our dream.  Try developing a plan and setting a regular schedule that will take you farther down the road of your dream journey. 

I need balance so that I’m not thrown off course.  For me, balance is my greatest challenge amidst this particular season of life.  As a wife and mother, four other lives depend upon me for certain needs – and believe me – there are many needs to be met!  Many of you have jobs and family obligations that require a significant amount of your time too.  So – maintaining balance amidst life’s priorities will enable us to devote time to our dream while fulfilling our responsibilities.  We may have to enlist the help of those closest to us – sharing our dream with them and asking for extra understanding and support during a busy season.  Having those you love involved in your dream journey can be extra-rewarding – they share in the joy of a dream fulfilled!

What about you?  Is there something you’ve dreamed of doing but don’t know where to begin?  Or – perhaps your dream seems so out-of-reach that you have long since shrugged it off as silly or unattainable.  You may be surprised at how easy it is to take that first step towards realizing your dream.  Putting your dream on paper is a good place to begin – and while you’re thinking about it….consider sharing your dream with someone who has achieved theirs.  Chances are they have some journey stories that will encourage and inspire you.  

“There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other” – Douglas H. Everett

If you have a dream that you would like to share – I would love to read it.  Take that first step of writing it down and email it to me at carolmandersen@gmail.com

I have a dream....

Most of us are familiar with these four words spoken by Martin Luther King Jr. on that hot August day more than 40 years ago.  He spoke with great passion for his dream -- for freedom, for unity, for justice and for brotherhood.  He dreamed of changing the world -- for him, for his children and for all of mankind. 

Recently I came across the quote, "Everything great on this earth was achieved because someone had a dream and dared to pursue it".   This reminded me of Martin Luther King Jr.  -- He dared to pursue his dream and history is forever changed because of it.

Do you have a dream?  If we are at all alike, (which by the way, we are) you do have one.  In fact, I'll bet you have quite a few.  As a young girl, I had dreams about who and what I would become, about where I would live and places I would visit.  My dreams were birthed in hope for my future -- there seemed to be no limit to the opportunities ahead.  Perhaps there was a time when you felt the same. 

However, the passage of time as well as life experiences change things, don't they?   I know that my dreams have changed quite a bit since I was young.  Now they are more for my children and marriage as well as for the work God has given me.  Maybe your dreams have changed too.

Sometimes our dreams are birthed in pain -- we dream of being safe, of being loved, of escaping a difficult life situation, or of overcoming an addiction.  Whatever your dreams may be, its important to nurture them.  They exist for a purpose -- dreams are often what keeps us holding on when the going gets tough and may help us achieve the impossible. 

Not everyone is living out their dreams however.  Many experience life challenges, set backs and disappointments that rob them of energy towards pursuing their dream.  Their dreams get lost in the details of surviving everyday life. 

I've asked women about their dreams and am inspired by their answers.  One dear woman in her 50s told me she wanted to learn how to read but believed the time to do so had passed.  Another young, homeless mother of 5 told me her dream was to one day solve crimes and rescue exploited children.   Others have told me they dream of mastering the art of photography, pursuing artistic talents, publishing poetry and even pushing through fear to dip their feet in the ocean. 

We are dreamers by design - dreams are an exciting part of who we are -- they give us hope.  Our dreams may show us who God created us to become.  It is important to nurture and pursue them. 

The Dream Giver is a modern day parable of a dreamer called Ordinary who lives in a land called Familiar where he does ordinary things.  The author, Bruce Wilkinson, takes readers on a journey with Ordinary in pursuit of his dream.  This book has been compared to John Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress, and has been written as a conversational story that draws one into Ordinary's experiences throughout his Dream Journey.

We first meet Ordinary working at his Usual job, doing the same thing day after day.  Until one day he begins to feel a nagging that something big is missing from his every-day life.  Ordinary leaves the land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream.  Once he moves beyond his Comfort Zone, he encounters (and conquers) Bullies in the BorderLand, survives a walk in the WasteLand, and pushes through the Valley of Giants -- all before he finally reaches the Land of Promise where he lives out his Big Dream.

As I read the tale of Ordinary, I found myself identifying with the challenges he encountered during the pursuit of his Big Dream.  I can easily related to the fear of leaving Familiar, the emotional battles with the Bullies, the impatience in the WasteLand, and the desire to quit when encountering Giants.  But.... thankfully I can also identify with Ordinary's sheer joy of reaching the Land of Promise and the great satisfaction upon realizing his Big Dream come true.

What I found most inspiring about this story is Ordinary's relationship with the Dream Giver.  Its important for us to realize that God, the Dream Giver, has created each of us with a unique set of gifts and talents.  And... that He has designed us with the wonderful ability to dream, to have vision and hope for the future.   God's desire is for us to have a fulfilling life -- one of great value and purpose. 

We can often get sidetracked from God's call on our life -- otherwise known as the Big Dream -- during difficult seasons, by distractions, heartaches, and unforeseen circumstances.  In The Dream Giver, Wilkinson provides some practical truths, illustrations and real-life examples of issues one encounters when pursuing her Big Dream.  His words are inspiring and encouraging and have given me renewed desire to pursue my dreams!

Wilkinson says, "A God-given Dream brings you together with what God wants to do in His world through you.  You are meant to be a river of blessing, not a puddle drying in the sun"

I'm learning to trust God during times when the circumstances may not be making sense, to recognize that God is always at work on my behalf, and to experience joy and peace as I continue on the road towards realizing my dreams.  God has a plan for me and He has one for you.  May we be that river of blessing that refreshes not only our own souls but also the souls of others who are on their own Dream Journey!

Dream on my friends......