“Our Lord, You Always do Right” (Psalm 119:137-160 (CEV).

As a woman who actively seeks to obey God, there have been confusing times when I read these words and wonder with a breaking heart feeling like the wind has been knocked out of me. It goes on to say that “your decisions are fair”.

How can I believe these truths when humans disappoint or hurt us deeply?  How do I pick myself up and put one foot in front of the other?  How is it that we are left grabbing our hearts trying to breathe? How can I understand that the Lord ‘who always does right’ watches me as I am left crumpled and defeated? It doesn’t feel it was a right decision.

I didn’t sign up to be a single mom or all the many facets that it encompasses.  I have a responsibility to show my girls how I handle any trial. I believe in my heart, it is ok to let them see me having an aerobic work-out in my heart, but nevertheless moving ahead and coming through on the other side. Our pastor challenged us to ‘not waste a trial’.  I pray I don’t waste a trial believing that God is the one who does right and makes decisions never thought possible. He takes the pain and breathlessness, hugs me and says, “Just walk with Me, I know what I am doing. Do you trust me, Linda?  Read my promises.”  Not only does King David say that the Lord does right, he continues by saying that “your teachings are true and will last forever.” Bottom line, earthly things don’t last and life is short so don’t waste a trial and grow, grow, grow!

How do I get from point A to that next alphabet? What is my process? For me, I was fully engaged in my problem and took my eyes off the truth that God’s ways are true, He does right, and His decisions are fair.  People hurt our hearts. What am I going to do with a situation? What outcome can I pursue that is God-honouring that allows Him to take my trial, or a broken heart, and help me move to the next challenge? I read the heartfelt cries of some of the journeys of those like the Psalmist David and the Apostle Peter whose hearts were desperately broken.  This is not a new journey.

Bottom line, through this process the answer has been to grieve, cry, and then grieve some more. Engage in letting God hear your heart and then in quietness listen for Him to speak.  He does!!! Scripture is the vitamin to gain health.  We have to actively make a choice. Then at just the right moment, thank God for His amazing love, His constant faithfulness, and His promises. It means taking a conscious step forward asking for the next step. The Psalmist then says, “I am eager to learn all that you want me to do; help me to understand more and more”.  That’s when the adventure begins my dear friends!~  God gives us a new strength, a new respect for ourselves, and a new journey never thought possible.

Life isn’t about not getting trials…that is a given, but it is how we fair with the trial.  Give yourself time. God is riding above the heavy waters with us and sitting beside us.  “Be my Defender and Protector”.  He is all that and more!

Questions: Do you believe the statement “Our Lord, You Always do Right” (Psalm 119:137-160 (CEV)? How are you handling pain in your life?

About the Author Linda Goodhand Rodgers

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, There It Is, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

Over the years, my pocket book has been stretched until it looks like a suitcase!  Life is challenging with our world’s economy, the cost of living, and the ever present bills that seem to crawl into our mailbox.

I have always believed in a comment made to me years ago that it was important to create memories and make that a priority with family. Empires fall, money fades, but we have our memories.  That has been a foundational practice for me as I raised my kids.  My purse may have been empty, but my heart was full.  We created memories with adventures in the park, flying kites, walks along the beach, and campfires with my extended family.  One such special memory was watching my kids bring their backpacks to my bed while I read and they did homework.

Sin in our world can create unpleasant and sad memories for us.  Sometimes we cannot choose those and carry heavy scars because of that.  One great thing is that we can create new positive memories ourselves.  We have choices to heal, to move forward, and begin a new page in our scrapbook of memories.

I love watching my children open up our scrapbooks smiling and laughing, saying things such as “remember when….”  I didn’t have money for trips but what I had for them was TIME.  Time creates memories.    People climb corporate ladders in their workplace.  How about climbing the corporate ladder as a parent?  It takes time and creativity as we fill the pages of our scrapbook.

Solomon voiced these words in Ecclesiastes 5:18, “What is the best thing to do in the short life that God has given us?  I think we should enjoy eating, drinking, and working hard.  This is what God intends us to do.”  Our time on earth is limited, and each day gives us a great responsibility to do our job, to take care of our bodies, and enjoy life!

Memories don’t have to be elaborate.  They just need time.  We have had our share of picnics and ants, bike rides, table games, baking in a total chaos, and new family traditions created.

Solomon continues to say, “It is better to enjoy what we have than to always want something else, because that makes no more sense than chasing the wind.”

Summer holidays are coming up.  Vacations need to be scheduled, kids activities need to be prepared to keep everyone’s sanity and the scrap book of memories added to.  What a great privilege to look back over the years and smile, though so needy financially and still have had the opportunity to choose positive memories with my kids despite the dollar value.

Make a list of memories you can create in the next days for your own scrapbook.  Rejoice that despite the dollar value, there are so many memories that are at your fingertips.  Be positive with your kids as you live out the importance of building memories.

Father God, thank you that you love making memories with us.  You cherish listening to our hearts, You always have time for us, and You want us to enjoy the life we have here on planet Earth.  Help us to discern positive memories that we can carry in the scrapbooks of our memories and thank You for those opportunities.  Help us to remember that a dollar has just a dollar value and a memory is a lifetime!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions: What is keeping you from making memories with your family? What are your priorities in life? What is the most important thing you can do in the short life that God has given you?

About the Author Linda Goodhand Rodgers

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, The Mission of the Spirit, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

However, I want to share about a very special type of friend that I call a Safe Friend.  This person is someone who will accept you no matter what.  They not only hear your  heart’s secrets but keep it confidential.

God made women very relational and because of that, we love to share. The danger is that we often become unwise with what and whom we share.  There is a tendency to spiritually-coat it and pass it on by tacking on a sentence that ‘we should pray about it.’

In my personal experiences, when my world became unglued, I began a journey to define what a Safe Friend was.  I knew they would truly hear my heart. I have been blessed to have more than one.  Some came into my life for a short time while others will be with me for the long haul.

I feel there are three qualities of a Safe Friend.

1. Constant
   It is a characteristic that screams ‘true blue’.  They are a person who is faithfully dedicated. They are like the tick talk of the clock.   It is their passion.  It might be sharing a scripture verse, reaching for a box of tissue, or a tight hug.  It is an open heart to and from each other.  For me sometimes it was hearing the voice on the other end of the phone line asking how I was for I knew they meant it.
2. Consistent
   What they say they do! They believe in keeping promises unless there is an unforeseen circumstance.  They are a person that can be counted on.  Honesty and concern define them. They cry, laugh, and pray with and for you. For me, this bond of friendship has gripped my heart and began healing like no other.
3. Confidential
   This is where the ‘rubber hits the road’.  Unless it is a safety issue, nothing will be shared. What they hear they bathe in prayer.  A person with this calibre will respect and honour the situation.

   I have had the privilege of these people in my life.  First and foremost, Jesus Christ has been my greatest Safe Friend.  When I have said to Him that “I can’t do it” He calmly says, “I will never leave you or forsake you”.

In our culture, schedules are re-worked again and again.  So when someone invests in your life as a Safe Friend it is a gift.  When you, yourself, become a Safe Friend it is an emotional and time investment in your life.

Have you had this privilege of having a friend like this?  Are you willing to be a “Safe Friend” to help carry someone who trusts you and needs you?

You will be blessed either way!

”Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” (Ephesians 4:31)

Recently I was hiking in the mountains. Somehow a little stone got into my shoe.   I knew it was there and quite aggravating, but I never stopped to take it out.  The views were so breath taking, I got distracted. Can you believe it, the next day I felt that same stone which I had not taken the time to remove.

Isn’t that just like bitterness? It begins small.  It is irritating and it affects what we are doing. If not dealt with it begins to gnaw at our life. Each step I took, I knew the stone was there.  When bitterness is harbored in our lives, it stays with us throughout the day. It controls our thought life, marriage, home life, our day to day relationships and our work suffers.

The Apostle Paul saw this in the life of fellow believers.  He understood that bitterness takes hold of our minds and controls our existence.  He wrote,

”For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” (Acts 8:23)

This is not a new concept.  King Solomon knew from his God-given wisdom that bitterness zaps us of joy. Because of this, we can’t enjoy day to day life.

“Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.” (Proverbs 14:10)

Life is not an easy hike in the forest. We hit bumps and stumps with level and uneven places.  No argument from me.  However, we also have some wonderful breath-taking moments when we can see though despite all the unevenness of our life, there is time for reprieve and healing.  When we can sit back, empty the stone in our shoe, and begin again, our heart will heal, the bitterness will subside and we can move ahead.  Bitterness can easily creep back in so we have to continually be aware of that ‘stone in our shoe’.  Throw it out….ask God to help walk without this stone of bitterness.

”Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” (Ephesians 4:31)

Is there a stone in your shoe?  What is hurting your soul right now? Ask God to release you from it.  Begin to enjoy life and all its breath-taking moments again and let the stone dribble out.  Start to see the quiet things in your life that are important…a touch of a pet, an encouraging word from a co-worker, or maybe a walk in a park to see the handiwork of God.  Flip your shoe over and release the bitterness out.  Slowly begin to see the joy in life.

Write out 3 positive words or phrases to help you face today.  Figuratively, take your shoe off and dump out that stone that is controlling your life.  On goes the shoe and on goes your day.

Father God, You know each of the stones in our shoes.  They hurt and it is painful.  I pray that we will take the step to throw it out, knowing You are there to help us and cheer us on.  Give us Your comfort and direction as we walk ahead.  Let bitterness dissipate and let Your Joy fill us with your Spirit.  Help us, because we know there will always be stones so we need your strength. Thank you.  In Jesus name, Amen.

The smell of freshly baked gingerbread came from the kitchen and the lights on the tree glowed as I sat for a few minutes and enjoyed the moment. But it hasn’t always been this way. There was a time when I simply did not want to have Christmas at all.

Just dragging the tree out and decorating the house left me feeling like my body was encased in cement.  Here was a season of hope and I felt numb. I could hardly wait to package up the tree, box up the decorations and put them in storage.  I could always try and imagine that the New Year would be better.

For some, Christmas time is a hard season. Hurtful memories and reminders come from childhood memories, an unfaithful spouse, a broken home, a death, still waiting to conceive a child, or a loved one fighting for our country. Whatever the reason, the feeling sits in the pit of the stomach.

I can’t candy coat it. We have to realize the reality for what it is.  Yet I can say, because I‘ve been there, that there is hope!  I believe it…I’ve lived it!  Your life, your walk may seem in despair today … but from my heart to yours… I know YOU CAN DO THIS!  This isn’t the time to throw in the towel or give up.

May I share 3 things with you that I learned in my journey through days of despair?

1.   Don’t give up!

Believe that there is a very special reason you are here. Do you know that a God of Love created you, very specifically? Listen to these verses from Psalm 139: 13, 14, 16b (CEV), “You are the One who put me together inside my mother’s body and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me.  Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt….even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do.”

God believes in YOU.  He took the time to specially create your own DNA and place you on planet earth.  Outside circumstances come into our lives that are not marvelous, but it doesn’t change the fact that God wants us to move ahead. He wants to walk with us through the hard parts.  He thinks you are that important and now is the time to start believing it.

You have a gift to open this Christmas.  It is spelled with 4 letters — H O P E.  You can’t put a price on that.  It is the gift God want to give you.

2.   Don’t forget to take care of yourself!

When hopelessness threatens to swallow you do something for yourself that will encourage you. In times of despair for me I went to the library for books, went for a walk to think or pray, started to make a list of goals and dreams, or simply changed my furniture around.  You will find what is healthy just for you. A friend gave me a journal book and I started to write down some thoughts and tried to put things in perspective.  Maybe it is time to set an appointment to see your medical doctor. Take care of YOU!  You are cherished by God who made you His treasure. The Psalmists continues to say in Psalm 139: 24b…”but lead me in the way that time has proven true.”  Grab hold of God’s heart. He really does care and wants to walk you through this. HOLD ON!!!!

3.  Don’t be exclusive!

One of the easiest things is to curl up and let the world around go on without us.  It feels like you can’t deal with anything.  I know. That is when you need to reach out for help.  I had to do that and now I am blessed with some good memories and some new dreams started. One Christmas when I was alone I helped at a dinner where people came who had nowhere to go.  It helped to reach out to others. In the quietness of your room allow yourself the freedom to grieve.  Just don’t stay there. It is ok to ask for help. Reach out.

Life can sometimes seem very low but don’t give up. There is always Hope.  Circumstances may not change right away, but the gift of God’s Hope and His peace is forever.

Psalm 119: 142-144 (CEV) “You will always do right, and your teachings are true.  I am in deep distress, but I love your teachings.  Your rules are always fair.  Help me to understand them and live”.

Today my body doesn’t feel like cement, and even though there are still scars and hurtful memories, they don’t control me.    God has taken the deep distress of those hard days and did as He promised in His Word: “He always does right” and brings new life out of the broken pieces.

From my heart to yours …please never give up. There is hope.  Grab hold of it offered from the hand of God and watch your journey begin.

YOU CAN DO THIS!

Questions: Are you struggling with painful memories right now? What will be your first step you can take to help you get out of your despair?

About his Author Linda Goodhand Rodgers

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, The Challenge to End Well, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

Just dragging the tree out and decorating the house left me feeling like my body was encased in cement.  Here was a season of hope and I felt numb. I could hardly wait to package up the tree, box up the decorations and put them in storage.  I could always try and imagine that the New Year would be better.

For some, Christmas time is a hard season. Hurtful memories and reminders come from childhood memories, an unfaithful spouse, a broken home, a death, still waiting to conceive a child, or a loved one fighting for our country. Whatever the reason, the feeling sits in the pit of the stomach.

I can’t candy coat it. We have to realize the reality for what it is.  Yet I can say, because I‘ve been there, that there is hope!  I believe it…I’ve lived it!  Your life, your walk may seem in despair today …… but from my heart to yours…. I know YOU CAN DO THIS!  This isn’t the time to throw in the towel or give up.

May I share 3 things with you that I learned in my journey through days of despair?

1. Don’t give up!

Believe that there is a very special reason you are here. Do you know that a God of Love created you, very specifically? Listen to these verses from Psalm 139: 13, 14, 16b (CEV), “You are the One who put me together inside my mother’s body and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me.  Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt….even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do.”

God believes in YOU.  He took the time to specially create your own DNA and place you on planet earth.  Outside circumstances come into our lives that are not marvelous, but it doesn’t change the fact that God wants us to move ahead. He wants to walk with us through the hard parts.  He thinks you are that important and now is the time to start believing it.

You have a gift to open this Christmas.  It is spelled with 4 letters - H O P E.  You can’t put a price on that.  It is the gift God wants to give you.

2. Don’t forget to take care of yourself!

When hopelessness threatens to swallow you do something for yourself that will encourage you. In times of despair for me I went to the library for books, went for a walk to think or pray, started to make a list of goals and dreams, or simply changed my furniture around.  You will find what is healthy just for you.

A friend gave me a journal book and I started to write down some thoughts and tried to put things in perspective.  Maybe it is time to set an appointment to see your medical doctor. Take care of YOU!  You are cherished by God who made you His treasure. The Psalmists continues to say in Psalm 139: 24b…”but lead me in the way that time has proven true.”  Grab hold of God’s heart. He really does care and wants to walk you through this. Hold on!

3. Don’t be exclusive!

One of the easiest things is to curl up and let the world around go on without us.  It feels like you can’t deal with anything.  I know. That is when you need to reach out for help.  I had to do that and now I am blessed with some good memories and some new dreams started. One Christmas when I was alone I helped at a dinner where people came who had nowhere to go.  It helped to reach out to others. In the quietness of your room allow yourself the freedom to grieve.  Just don’t stay there. It is ok to ask for help. Reach out.

Life can sometimes seem very low but don’t give up. There is always hope.  Circumstances may not change right away, but the gift of God’s hope and His peace is forever.

Psalm 119: 142-144 (CEV) “You will always do right, and your teachings are true.  I am in deep distress, but I love your teachings.  Your rules are always fair.  Help me to understand them and live”.

Today my body doesn’t feel like cement, and even though there are still scars and hurtful memories, they don’t control me. God has taken the deep distress of those hard days and did as He promised in His Word: “He always does right” and brings new life out of the broken pieces.

From my heart to yours, please never give up. There is hope.  Grab hold of it offered from the hand of God and watch your journey begin.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, God has given you the gift of His Holy Spirit who lives within you, to guide you and empower you to follow His ways in your life. Why not take a moment to pray this prayer and yield your life anew to God? He is faithful to keep His promises and desires for you to keep in step with His Spirit.

Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have sinned against You by directing my own life. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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The word ‘cancer’, the words “I don’t love you anymore”, “your child has been killed fighting for our country”, “because of downsizing we are giving you your two weeks notice”, “the storm has destroyed your home.” and on it goes.

I can’t explain it, it is life and whether we like it or not, it is often our reality.

Psalm 17:6-8 gives three promises to cling to.

1. Help!
“I pray to you, God, because you will HELP me!”
If there is anyone who can help in a situation it is the God who moved mountains, separated the sea, and makes seasons change.  He is our Fortress, our Rock, and our Listener.  He asks us to call upon Him for help.  The Psalmist David knew he could come to God. He had troubles of his own and he knew the Source to reach for.

2. Hide!
“Your mighty arm protects those who run to you for safety from their enemies.  Protect me as you would your very own eyes.  Hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
What a wonderful picture of hiding in His wings for protection. We can come to God, pour out our hearts and let Him put His arms around us and hold us tight in moments of pain and despair.  What an amazing thought of a God, who created the universe and continually holds it in place and has open arms that we can run into. When life seems overwhelming and so draining, we can hide in His arms for strength and healing.

3. Hope!
“Listen and answer my prayer!  Show your wonderful love.”
Curves in the road do come in our lives.  We can ask God for Help, Hide in his arms, and HOPE.  He has walked ahead of us, but He is walking beside us too.  He desperately wants to hear us talk to Him, and then reach out with His love to heal us and hold us.  Life was never to be easy, but as humans we want that.  Reality is that it is often tough slugging with life’s issues.  That is why God is there to help us, to mold our character, and let us know that He has not left us but is developing us to be the best we can be.

In this Psalm, David ends with a passion to know God better.

“I am innocent, Lord, and I will see your face!  When I awake, all I want is to see you as you are.”

As you face life’s situations, run to Him.  In the dark night of our lives, He has never left.  He wants the best for you.  Let Him show you your next steps and trust Him.

Claim these promises.  Trust that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and You! Let Him hold you tight and listen to His heartbeat.

Question: Which of the three promises noted above resonated most with you and your life today?

About this Author: Linda Goodhand Rodgers

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30am EST.

Life sends curves into our lives, which we are often so unprepared for. The word ‘cancer’, the words “I don’t love you anymore”, “your child has been killed fighting for our country”, “because of downsizing we are giving you your two weeks notice”, “the storm has destroyed your home.” and on it goes.

I can’t explain it, it is life and whether we like it or not, it is often our reality.

Psalm 17: 6-8 gives three promises to cling to.

1. Help!
“I pray to you, God, because you will HELP me!”
If there is anyone who can help in a situation it is the God who moved mountains, separated the sea, and makes seasons change.  He is our Fortress, our Rock, and our Listener.  He asks us to call upon Him for help.  The Psalmist David knew he could come to God. He had troubles of his own and he knew the Source to reach for.

2.   Hide!
“Your mighty arm protects those who run to you for safety from their enemies.  Protect me as you would your very own eyes.  Hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
What a wonderful picture of hiding in His wings for protection. We can come to God, pour out our hearts and let Him put His arms around us and hold us tight in moments of pain and despair.  What an amazing thought of a God, who created the universe and continually holds it in place and has open arms that we can run into. When life seems overwhelming and so draining, we can hide in His arms for strength and healing.

3.   Hope!
“Listen and answer my prayer!  Show your wonderful love.”
Curves in the road do come in our lives.  We can ask God for Help, Hide in his arms, and HOPE.  He has walked ahead of us, but He is walking beside us too.  He desperately wants to hear us talk to Him, and then reach out with His love to heal us and hold us.  Life was never to be easy, but as humans we want that.  Reality is that it is often tough slugging with life’s issues.  That is why God is there to help us, to mold our character, and let us know that He has not left us but is developing us to be the best we can be.

In this Psalm, David ends with a passion to know God better. “I am innocent, Lord, and I will see your face!  When I awake, all I want is to see you as you are.”

As you face life’s situations, run to Him.  In the dark night of our lives, He has never left.  He wants the best for you.  Let Him show you your next steps and trust Him.

Claim these promises.  Trust that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and You! Let Him hold you tight and listen to His heartbeat.

Father God, Please help me to rest in these promises.  Thank you that You are always with me.  I am so grateful for Your wings to protect and re-assure me that You love me. Guide me please.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Questions: How do you respond to curves in the road? Why does God allow curves in the road?

About the Author Linda Goodhand Rodgers

Daily audio podcast: Hear today’s devotional, Curves in the Road, read aloud on the Men’s Devotional Blog

Do you have unrealistic expectations in life? We are here to listen.

Dream? Who has time for that? Max Lucado in his book, Fearless –Imagine Your Life Without Fear says to Dream Wildly.  Those two words reminded me to evaluate things again. How can I begin to dream when reality is so tough some days?   That is why I need to dream.  If we stop dreaming, we stop hoping.  We need hope in a world of war, earthquakes, disease and pain.

The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah said, “Forget what happened long ago! Don’t think about the past.  I am creating something new.  There it is! Do you see it?’(Isaiah 43:18) The pages of Scriptures describe the God of the Universe who wants us to hope and dream. So why not take steps to join with Him to create something new?

Start today to dream again and keep it simple by using the ABC’s. Make a list and date it.  Let’s start!

Amazing Dreams! Write out your most wild and bizarre things that you have ever thought to do.  Pretend that the sky is the limit. This list is yours and no one else’s.  It can be plain and simple – Amazingly CRAZY.  Smile, enjoy, and dream.  Alright, you have your first list.

Believable Dreams! This time make a list with reality flavored in the mix.  Keep dreaming though.  It may mean planning a trip even though your present budget says, “You have got to be kidding”.  Maybe it is signing up for your very first college course toward a degree (who cares if you will get your degree just as you are about to retire!) For some, it is learning a new instrument or purchasing a home.  Twelve years ago I prayed to travel more and this year I went to Mexico!

How is your list going? Lastly, but never in permanent ink……

Creditable Dreams! What are your dreams for the next 12 months? This is where you practice your ABC’s. What are the current steps you can take to make some of these dreams become a reality? Take some time to write the steps that you will need to take for it to happen. As you dream, write it in pencil so you can be flexible with your adventures.  As you dream, also remember contentment with life is ‘daily’. Months later you can enjoy this list with the fact that you did dream and hope. This is your dream list so have some fun

In Psalm 37:4 it says to “delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Let Him have your heart today as you dream the ABC’s. He is the creator of the alphabet!

Father God, thank you that You care for us individually and that You enjoy when we dream.  Help us in our next steps in this life. Thank you that You hold our heart and enjoy the adventures with us.  Thank you that You are our Hope and want to guide us in our personal ABC’s.  In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP: Realizing your dream

Questions: Do you have a dream? What are the current steps you can take to make your dream(s) become a reality?

About the Author Linda McCutcheon

“Forget what happened long ago! Don’t think about the past.  I am creating something new.  There it is! Do you see it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19a, CEV)

For most of us we survive each day, week, and year. We examine our budget, take a deep breath, and walk away. The monthly calendar is marked by scribbles of appointments and meetings.  The ‘to do’ list continues to grow in double digit numbers.

Dream? Who has time for that? Max Lucado in his book, Fearless –Imagine Your Life Without Fear says to Dream Wildly.  Those two words reminded me to evaluate things again. How can I begin to dream when reality is so tough some days?   That is why I need to dream.  If we stop dreaming, we stop hoping.  We need hope in a world of war, earthquakes, disease, and pain.

The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah said, “Forget what happened long ago! Don’t think about the past.  I am creating something new.  There it is! Do you see it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19a, CEV)  The pages of Scriptures describe the God of the Universe who wants us to hope and dream. So why not take steps to join with Him to create something new?

Start today to dream again and keep it simple by using the ABC’s. Make a list and date it.  Let’s start!

Amazing Dreams! Write out your most wild and bizarre things that you have ever thought to do.  Pretend that the sky is the limit. This list is yours and no one else’s.  It can be plain and simple – Amazingly CRAZY.  Smile, enjoy, and dream.  Alright, you have your first list.

Believable Dreams! This time make a list with reality flavored in the mix.  Keep dreaming though.  It may mean planning a trip even though your present budget says, “You have got to be kidding”.  Maybe it is signing up for your very first college course toward a degree (who cares if you will get your degree just as you are about to retire!) For some, it is learning a new instrument or purchasing a home.  Twelve years ago I prayed to travel more and this year I went to Mexico!

How is your list going? Lastly, but never in permanent ink …

Creditable Dreams! What are your dreams for the next 12 months? This is where you practice your ABC’s. What are the current steps you can take to make some of these dreams become a reality? Take some time to write the steps that you will need to take for it to happen. As you dream, write it in pencil so you can be flexible with your adventures.  As you dream, also remember contentment with life is ‘daily’. Months later you can enjoy this list with the fact that you did dream and hope. This is your dream list so have some fun

In Psalm 37:4 it says to “delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Let Him have your heart today as you dream the ABC’s. He is the creator of the alphabet!

Father God, thank you that You care for us individually and that You enjoy when we dream.  Help us in our next steps in this life. Thank you that You hold our heart and enjoy the adventures with us.  Thank you that You are our Hope and want to guide us in our personal ABC’s.  In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP: Realizing your dream

Question: What’s your dream? What do you long to see God bring about in your life?

About the Author: Lind McCutcheon