Something I know all too much about.
Over the past few years I've had to let go of almost all my dreams for my children, myself and my family. Our world has been totally flipped upside down. One little second in time changed everything...
So this weekend the reality of broken dreams has come to my attention again. Friday it was someone I know, care about, and want the best for. She was faced with the reality of things not working out the way she had planned and having to reroute her track. Then Saturday, my Gamecock loving house watched as the beloved Marcus Lattimore had his plans rerouted by one play. Again one second that changed everything. Obviously, I do not know him personally. But I do know he is a outstanding, Christian athlete and I couldn't help but wonder, "why?". Then today, the broken dreams hit a little closer to home, with one of the people I love most in the world. I can't share the details, but I can say I feel helpless and want to make it all better.
Broken dreams. We all have them. I can't imagine there is anyone who hasn't had to let go and give up on something they wanted. So, what do you do when all you've hoped and planned for is no longer a reality?
Well, the way I see it, there are two options. You let it eat at you and destroy you or you give it to God and let HIM rebuild you. Sounds so simple, huh?!? Yeah, right!!!
I'm still struggling everyday to give it all completely to God. There have been so many set backs. Every time I think my family has turned the corner, it seems another set back arrives. Yet, when I stop and look at the big picture, when I look at the entire journey from January 22, 2010 to today...
I see the beautiful hand of God at work in our lives. I see HIM rebuilding our broken family to use for HIS glory. I see HIM restoring us as a family unit. I see HIM moving us in a direction I would never have imagined for us. I see HIS plan unfolding, a little bit at a time.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.~Ephesians 3:20
But I have to stop, be still, listen and let God show me these things. When I am caught up in the moment of a set back, all I see is broken dreams and frustration. God is always doing HIS part. I just get so caught in myself, I don't notice.
I'm growing closer to HIM. I'm learning to lean on HIM and not to panic (the key word is learning...I haven't completely succeeded in that yet!). But, I'm stronger than I was. I'm more confident than I was. And I am trusting God more than I was.
Complete surrender is so hard to do. I don't know as humans if we are truly capable of complete surrender. When we are having to let our plans give way to HIS plans can be the hardest time to surrender, or at least it is for me. And to add to that, God will only reveal a little bit at a time. We don't get to know the whole plan. What a bummer! Wouldn't it be great if we could see exactly where God was leading us? Instead, we are called on to trust and be guided in blind faith.
So, the next time you face a broken dream, be it big or little, I'm asking you to stop and give God a chance to lead. You just need to follow. Even when we can't see what HE's doing, HE is always working for our best. We can't see the big picture, but HE knows it all...
beginning, middle and end!
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.~Jeremiah 29:11
