So a friend sent me a link to this song today. And it broke me. Completely undone. It was one of those moments where God shines this spotlight on where you have been and where He has brought you. And there is such a contrast that the sheer blessing of it overwhelms.
You guys a few years ago I choose a path that so many people discouraged me from. It was the hardest most brutal thing I have ever done. I couldn't see the outcome and the only thing I was sure of was that God was walking it with me. I had to take back ground that I had lost and ground that I had never had in the first place. It was a battle, but I found life.
One thing I know about life is that there are no guarantees. It can be beautiful in joy, terrifying in pain and every possible step in between. And there are times when the only thing to do is to let go. Of everything we thought and pictured and dreamed. And stand with our empty hands, breaking hearts and shattered lives; trusting that the God who creates beauty from ashes and joy from sorrow is at work to fill those empty places.
I also know that God gives dreams again. Some He will resurrect from the fire while some will be brand new, unexpected and almost scary in their possibilities. Let yourself dream. Don't hide them away because you know what it is like to lose them and you think the only way to really keep them is to push them deep down. Dreams are gifts. They are meant to be shared, encouraged, kept alive. I read somewhere once that "Bravery is daring to dream on the other side of great loss." When everything feels fragile and so very breakable. For me dreaming is the difference between simply surviving and truly living. I have done both and if I can convince you of one thing let it be that dreams are worth the risk.
I will be stepping outside of my comfort zone later this week. To be honest, it scares me and I needed this reminder today. I needed to remember what God has done. His faithfulness to me in every circumstance I have ever faced. That He has placed me right here, right now, for a reason. To remember other scary steps I have taken and the grace and beauty He has poured out as a result. Maybe you need to look back and remember today as well. Or maybe you are in the middle of it all and you need to look forward and dream. Either way I am praying for you!
Keep Dreaming!
