The entrance of special needs, disabilities, or chronic challenges can suck the dreams right out of our lives. Maybe, even ignite a nightmare or two.
There are dreamers who dream unrealistic dreams—
And then there are realists who close their eyes to all dreaming—
[Tweet “”Father, God! help us learn to #dream with our eyes open!” #hope #vision”]
When I lose my vision or ability to dream, I’m learning to plant my disappointment in God’s promise of goodness. My vision grows and changes as God waters my soul, nourishing and tending my brokenness and fears. Finally, the dream that His mighty power WILL accomplish more than I can ask or think is in full bloom!
When God blessed us with Bethany, our “surprise 7th child with a more surprising diagnosis of down syndrome”, God birthed a dream to sustain my hopes as we work diligently to build her future. I liken it to pregnancy- a kernel of hope in the beginning, a process and a long hard labor and pain- but the dream is finally, joyfully born! And He sustains my dreams with signs and wonders.
I see minute but grandiose miracles in her every achievement.
Her words, her prayers, her love for others, her joyful exuberance while living; all these shout testimony to the Creator who sees His broken work of creation and still has plans to use them for His glory! Life sparkles with joy in the dark, hard places. Dreams and reality blend together to seeing what I cannot see. That my friends, is the definition of faith.
The glorious, confusing, extraordinary entrance of down syndrome into our lives, has demanded that I learn to dream with my eyes open.
Our Bethany is dreaming her own dreams and I’m trying to make sure they’re grounded in God’s plans for her life. Yes- in the reality of her down syndrome but in the bigger picture of God’s power in her! Now, I’m trying to teach her to dream with her eyes wide open!
We want her be able to accomplish what she was created to accomplish! Nothing more- nothing less.
God is the only one who can know our reality and our dreams
but has the Sovereign ability to merge them into His transcendent, glory-filled reality!
What dream is God calling you to dream?
Let’s Pray: Our Father: Giver of all blessings and strength, expand our hearts and minds to receive the dreams and plans You have for us. Help us trust You to do MORE than we can ask or think. In Jesus Name- Amen.
Surprising Treasure: Ephesians 3:20 (New Living Translation)
0 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Imagine the nightmare life must be for those who don’t recognize The Guide! Even those of us who walk in the Light with Jesus want to push past the circle of light to peer into the darkness hiding the future of our own dreams. Thank the Lord He proves Himself trustworthy, in spite of our fears and anticipations. I relish how you capture our thoughts with your surprising treasures, Cindy. Thank you, dear heart!
Yes! Even allowing ourselves to be our own guide- thinking we know the Way when we don’t know the beginning from the end! Learning to dream God’s dreams take intentionality- it’s so much easier to look at life through our own eyes and filter life through our meager vantage point. God is the ultimate Dream Maker and Dream Catcher! 🙂 hugs sweet Edy!
I LOVE that, Cindy! God is the Dream Maker and Catcher…and as we “delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” He gives us HIS dreams for us to realize. Hugs back, kindred spirit. 🙂
p.s. I clearly remember when that verse first struck me, I was so impressed with God’s love for us that I gave Him permission to change the desires of my heart if they weren’t according to His will. And, He did! Instead of fearing where He might want to send me, I recognized what an adventure He had in mind for me! 🙂
Never stop dreaming… Never. Of course, its best to do it with your eyes open… just like it is when you are praying while you are driving. Its safer and you stay on the road. God loves dreamers. God gives dreams Joel tells us that and Peter repeated Joel on the Day of Pentecost. Dream on the Rock of Christ. Dreams are best in the difficult, lonely places. Jacob made a pillow of rocks and realized he was in a holy place. Oh God help us dream.