Dreaming God’s way..

It was hard finding a title for this post. Dreaming is very important in the kingdom of God. He gives us the capacity to dream and imagine. But dreaming our own dreams and letting God give us dreams.. these are two different things. The reason I am writing about this today is because the Lord is dealing with some big issues in me that have to do with dreaming. For most of my life, I have let dreams be a way of escaping pain and suffering. It started in childhood. I was very unhappy with my family and there were many reasons why. I am not going to go into it here, but I needed a way out.. so I dreamed of this perfect life.. a perfect family. One very different from my own.

Unfortunately the path I took to get that perfect life failed. I had relationships with men that were unhealthy and eventually ended up marrying an abusive addict.. but when he passed away.. the dream of a better life was still alive and I married Steve. He was a wonderful man and I had many of the things in my life that I thought were lost forever. If you have been following my blog, then you know that Steve also passed away.. last summer. I lost everything when he got sick and I no longer had that wonderful life that I cherished. It was not a perfect life and for most of our marriage we had financial problems .. there was no real stability.. so I filled my head with dreams of the day when I would get that last piece and live happily every after. Instead Steve became ill with dementia and things became more and more difficult.

Now that he is gone, I am alone and sure enough.. the old dreams came back.. dreaming of another chance to have that life that would be close to perfect.. funny how that could sneak in even at my age! This time, the Lord has stopped me from dreaming.. Now, that doesn’t mean that I won’t get another chance.. it just means that He is teaching me to be in the pain and suffering without trying to escape through dreaming. He is helping me to live in the present and be content with not knowing what the future holds. I believe that this is how He is teaching me to rely more deeply on Him. My old dreams are gone but He can give me new ones when it is time and more importantly He is enabling me to believe that everything He has prepared for me is going to be better than my dreams.. It is actually very freeing not to be dreaming and to realize that this season is teaching me so much about our Great God.

I have always loved this scripture.. but finally I feel as though I truly understand it

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

The right place at the right time..

I picked the title of this post because it is such a strong desire of mine to be exactly where God wants me..when He wants me there. As I’ve made this a priority it is amazing the opportunities He gives me with people. The key for me is to be able to hear Him clearly enough to show up right on time with an expectation that He is going to bring someone else there that needs encouragement. He has my permission to interrupt my life at any time..to change my plans..to redirect my steps. God has a plan and it is unfolding and I want to join Him..His plan is much better than anything I  choose for myself. My life belongs to Him and so does my time and all my resources.

So, as I have been more flexible and open, I find myself meeting just the right person in the right place at the right time.. I recognize God’s fingerprints all over it. He is leading in very simple ways..and as I follow..my life is filled with assignments that only He could give me.

I share all this to encourage you to believe the same way for your life each and every day. It is a way that we tell God we trust Him. Turning over our schedule, our goals, and our desires to Him and being willing to look for opportunities to spread hope and faith and to love others. As we see Him working through us, we begin to feel more secure and safe. We start to believe that we are in the center of His will. He affirms us and shows us that our lives have value.

God is looking for willingness..the world is full of brokenhearted people who need to feel cared for. You may be brokenhearted right now.. longing for encouragement or you may be the answer to someone’s prayer. Either way..our God wants to bring you together with just the right person at just the right time!

“Teach me your ways, O Lord,
    that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
    so that I may honor you.”