I’m always inspired after watching the Disney movie – Tangled. Inspired to not only keep moving forward in life but to keep dreaming. I’ve had dreams come to fruition and I’ve had dreams shattered. In every case though, I’ve realized that it’s dreaming that keeps me moving forward. To have faith requires me to dream. To have hope requires a dream. To accomplish a vision – I must dream.
The trick is to move towards that dream so that it becomes a reality. It will require growth. It will require time, energy and even sacrifice. Anything short of that is not moving towards a dream but rather living in a fantasy. Fantasy can sabotage dreams because they are easier – more shallow. Dreams though, create depth within us. Trenches even.
That’s why a shattered dream hurts us to the core. Chunks of our heart can get bruised or even worse yet – scarred.
I’ve been there. So broken that I felt paralyzed. Comforted only by pulling the blankets over my head while I wait for the tears to come. Wandering around aimlessly waiting to hear something from God. And usually He says – “Keep moving and dream”.
Don’t get stuck in the brokenness of a shattered dream. Give it to God. He can and will restore any part of it that came from Him. And He’ll make it better! Once, when I felt I had to step out of my destiny for the betterment of my family, I thought life as I knew it would never be the same again. I would never be able to impact lives like I once did. I had to lay my calling on the alter and walk away.
And I realized AGAIN how amazing God is. And how I allowed myself to minimize His ability to move in my life. He is the Great Restorer. And when He gets our dreams, our hearts and our feet, our hands, our minds – He will exponentially make what we imagined so much greater. He can always always always take what the devil meant for harm and turn it around for His goodness – His glory. In our weakness He is made strong every time. And because we are His children, it is His joy to overtake us with FAVOR!
I realize now that I didn’t leave my calling – I simply gave Him time to tweak it and make it better – make me better. I don’t need titles, or positions, or props to minister. I simply need people. And there seems to be an abundance of them! No matter where I am I have the power to love – to encourage – to strengthen – to teach – and to pray for them.
I gave God the old and He made it new. I challenge you to dream. And to dream more and make it BIG! Pray and read and grow into your dreams and watch what He does in you and through you.
John Chappell
June 10, 2011
You inspire me so much. Just keep writing and doing… You are incredible.
Sherry Wallace
June 10, 2011
You are incredible and an inspiration to me too! Love this!
Dad Chappell
June 12, 2011
Jennifer, your whole article is excellent and contains so many nuggets of wisdom. You are condtinuing to grow and grow in God. Keep dreaming and let Him show you that you have more miracles working power in your hands, your words and your writings than you can imagine … because He is in it all!
Dad
vanessathompson
July 27, 2011
Love this! My dreams, my visions are what keep me pressing on sometimes… trusting always in the sovereignty of a wonderful God & always seeking His direction & plan.
Your transparency about your calling spoke volumes to me. I love that you are a REAL woman of God. It’s your honesty & transparency that gives us all a real connection to a real human being… walking this amazing walk (with it’s highs & yes, even sometimes lows) & pressing toward the plan of God on your life & the lives around you.
I just love you.