A couple weeks ago I was challenged to declare my hopes. Basically, during my wives small group we spent some time in silence listening for nudges from the Lord. That was the thought that popped into mind: write down and then declare your hopes.
I haven't done it yet. The truth is, I'm scared. I did try. On Saturday, Jrex met friends from lab to go running and I stayed home to spend time with God. (I'm off my running program . . . a sore stomach being just the latest excuse.)
I couldn't do it. I realized that I could easily write out my dream. It's the oldest, deepest one that I have. I've always been gifted with kids and dreamt of rescuing kids from garbage dumps, the streets, or disaster and bringing them into a place of hope, stability and restoration. I even took my job as a residential counselor to get life skill training. Jrex and I married with that shared vision. We wrote lines in our wedding vows about welcoming the sojourners that God brings our way. The problem as it's turned out is that with Jrex's schedule and energy level, bringing kids into our home just isn't going to happen. And, it doesn't look like we're moving overseas anytime soon.
I prefer to take practical steps to make a dream a reality. Want to be a fine artist? At least major in it during college to figure out if that's what you want. Want to marry that cool Asian guy? Sit next to him at the wedding reception, invite him to lunch, and go on from there.
Write down and declare your hopes.
I don't know what they are if they aren't leading toward my dream. Everything else feels like I'm making do, and that doesn't feel like 'hope'. In Paul's letter to the church in Rome, he says, "...if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it."
What am I waiting eagerly for?
We do want to have biological kids. (We're working on it, Dad, calm down.) I would still like to take in foster kids, but, see above. So, children is a hope.
If we're in the US and not overseas (highly likely), then I would love to have a home that can be a place of retreat and restoration for broken people, especially those wrestling with disappointment with God. Hope #2.
I want Jrex to have a job that is fulfilling and is the right fit for him. Along with that, I want him centered and lifted in amazing ways in his spiritual life. Hopes #3, #4.
Those are things that Jrex and I have discussed, known quantities. So, what's scary? What's the thing that is a wall between me and truly articulating hope? I still don't know the answer.
My friend Ms. Sword answered the question, "What's the difference between a dream and a hope?" by quipping, "Dreams happen when you're sleeping, hope happens when you're awake." There's something profoundly true about that. Hope means it's possible. It's coming. You have to be awake and ready to receive or to act to make a hope a reality.
How would you answer the question? And are your hopes lining up toward your dreams?
8 comments:
That is a profound post. I will be thinking about it all morning. Thank you for sharing from your heart like that.
That sounds frustrating. It sounds like the main obstacle for you right now is Jrex's job, and that's something only he can change. There are a lot of tradeoffs in marriage. I hope you are able to work it out.
Keep the faith, baby.
Hold onto the vision, the dream, the hope that God has sunk deep in your gut. Without it, life is a mess. So, hold on, believe it, explore it, live it. Keep loving Jesus. He'll make it happen.
This is a really great post. I've been thinking on it for a few days. Thank you for your honesty, openness and transparency.
I think I have more dreams than hopes... and a lot of my dreams actually happen while I'm awake. Food for thought - as always. Thank you.
Walls that we put up to keep others out are somewhat understandable. Walls we put up to keep ourselves out are much harder to figure out sometimes. I`m not sure about you, but I know I tend to read other people better than my own self, and often have to talk things out with someone else (or a few someones) to work out where I am at. Would that help you?
My hope is that moving out at the end of June goes the way I need it to.
If the mind is open to all possibilities, dreams can come true in unexpected ways. Responding to "the nudging" leads to the hope.
GREAT post. Inspirational too. I love your hopes and dreams.
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