Slogging to Dreams Fulfilled

This isn’t how I wanted life to be. This isn’t what I asked for.

As a young girl meandering through woods, wading creeks, and spending lazy afternoons just being, dreams were big and bold and beautiful.

A Fairy Tale Life

I imagined a life filled with joy and laughter, beauty infusing each day.

Everyone would perfectly love, be perfectly healthy, and share my ideals perfectly. There would be no death, no separation, no anger and angst.

Money would flow freely or else not be needed. My hair would never be frizzy, greasy, or crawling with little critters.

Parenting would be blissful. Children would be polite, respectful, and adorable. Always healthy and well groomed. Hanging on every word that came from my lips.

My husband would know my every wish and never get enough of my wit and charm. Gifts of love would be lavished on me. We would never disagree or be upset with one other. Handholding and hugs would be commonplace, and the words “I love you” would flow freely through the air.

I would hold down a job I enjoyed that never took away from family and leisure time. Friends would never disappoint. Community would be real. Relationships plentiful and intimate.

The Lord’s will would always be my will.

Life would be grand in all aspects.

But those dreams have long since died. The fairy tales put back on the shelf where they gather dust.

A Messy Life

For my life is messy and imperfect, with dark storm clouds often gathering on the horizon. Events of a day seldom unfold as I plan.

I’ve discovered that although my hubby has many strengths, he is not a superhero but human and fallible. A sinful being like me who I hold up to impossible standards.

Although a tremendous blessing, my children reflect more of me than I like. They fight, disappoint, and express their independence. As a family we’ve dealt with lice, sickness, disability, death …

Pain and disappointment have bedded down in our home more times than I can count.

There are days I feel out of control, wondering how I can go on.

However, I do … and God meets me in my need.

A Purpose-Filled Life

No, this is not the life I asked for; nevertheless, it is the life God prepared for me. For reasons not fully known to me, I am to walk through valleys, up ridges, and over hills. At times I need to ford high waters.

No, this is not the life I asked for or dreamed of, but this is my earthly life. And in it, I am called to trust.

Trust in a plan I cannot fully see.

Trust in a God that is bigger than my circumstances.

Trust in a meaning much more significant than just me and my happiness.

I am called to lead a life of, not ease, but purpose. A life that serves others. A life that glorifies the Lord.

We are called to lead a life of, not ease, but purpose. A life that serves others. A life that glorifies the Lord. Click To Tweet

And amazingly, in the unending process of burying my selfishness, my “me” dreams, I begin to unearth another manuscript. The words of a story far greater than any fairy tale are revealed.

This one is a true script of treasures untold.

The ancient text scrawled across the pages reveals my dreams can come true. A magnificent composition, the narrative begins in this life of brokenness but is not fully told until we dwell with the Father in His glorious Kingdom.

Our story begins in this life of brokenness but has an ending more grandiose than can be imagined. Click To Tweet

An ending more grandiose than can be imagined.

Yet, I am impatient. I don’t want to wait. I want this life to be different now—better—a clearer reflection of the Paradise to come.

The Lord knows. He understands how hard it is. Therefore, in His infinite mercy, He sprinkles droplets of grace on our lives, just enough, allowing us a glimpse of the glory to come and giving us the strength to endure the journey.

So I will continue slogging through the knee-deep mud of this world, in joyful anticipation of the promised life to come.

“Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:15-17).

Reflections: What fairy tale have you shelved? Have you found your key to joyful slogging? Would you mind sharing?

Joining with A Holy Experience for Multitude Mondays. So thankful for #570– 588 (View entire list by clicking here.):

• “Better” every day; little Pooh “hunny” pot; teenagers taking 5th through 8th graders with disabilities for rollerskating & pizza
• 10 cute kitties; finally bowed to humility; message on growing children together summarized and outlined
• Another college financial God gift; amazing streaks of color in the evening sky; God’s peace through my talks today
• Community; rain pattering on the window lulling me to sleep; warmth of the van after FREEZING at a soccer game
• Inspiring time #inRL; Silliness and laughter from those “old enough to know better”; hugs
• Potluck (who doesn’t love potlucks?); Rachel’s uninhibited responses to Pastor’s sermon; convicting broadcasts
• Promise of treasures untold