Dreams

I have so many dreams, always have. I'm not referring to dreams while sleeping, but those hopes for your future, things you want to happen. With me now? My dreams have changed over the years. If you ask a child what they dream about, what they want for their future, it generally will be greatly different than what an adult will say. The upcoming Winter Olympics remind me of a dream I've had since I was about 8, to be a figure skater. I remember seeing the Icecapades with my Girl Scout troup and when I first learned how to ice skate. It was over for me, I KNEW I wanted to be a figure skater. Unfortunately my parents were unable to afford the lessons, so it never happened. What's funny is that I still want to be a figure skater! Granted, I am too old to become a world-class skater now, but, I still could learn more than my basic skills!

Another dream I've always had since childhood is to be a mother. Yet again, this dream has not yet been realized. Lord willing, this will change soon! The older I get the more anxious I get (yes, I know, biological clock...), but it doesn't change the dream. As crazy as I am, I want 4 children (2 boys, 2 girls). I used to just want 4 children, NOT twins, but as I get older twins sound good! Time is running out, biology is kicking in. My husband is in his 40's and I'm in my 30's. Granted, not too old, but we're getting there. I have 4 step-kids ages 20, 15, 14 and 12. So, I think I feel older than I truly am due to the step-kids!

I always dream of Walt Disney World. Disney World is my most favorite place in the entire world. As I've said before, Disney is magical. It is the one place where I can get away from the reality of life and be a kid again. The last time I went to Disney was December 2008. I'd go again, tomorrow, if I could. Unfortunately budget seems to say that the next time we will be able to go is sometime in 2011. We have so many bills to catch up on from my hubby not having a job for nearly a year. And, it's going to take some more time!

The Bible talks about dreams for the future, about desires and hopes. In Psalm 37: 4 says "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Jeremiah 29:11 says "'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.'" There are many other references I could list, but my point is that God has a plan for my life, for your life. God will, if I allow Him to, lead and guide me, make His desires my desires, and ultimately direct me down the path He has for me. Sometimes, all too often, when it comes to the serious stuff this is hard to follow. I tend to want to take back control, to not trust God, to not believe that He has my future in His hands, that He has my best interests at heart. I need to trust more, question less, listen more, follow more and stop leading. My future is in God's control, and thus my dreams are at His mercy. Do I truly want a dream of mine fulfilled if it's not in God's plan for my life?