Rekindle Your Dreams
I could see it in the other students’ eyes. Envy. Not the green-eyed monster kind of envy, but the respectful admiration they, too, hoped to earn someday.
We, the graduating class of Slidell High, were lining up in the school’s main hallway to practice for graduation – the big event we thought would never come. Noticing the admiring looks from our underclassmen, we enjoyed the satisfaction our perseverance had earned.
If we hadn’t persisted in studying and doing our homework (even when we didn’t feel like it), we would have missed out on that enviable pride and satisfaction that come with dedication and hard work.
In the years since, I wonder how many of my fellow graduates share my frustration for the times we haven’t practiced that same perseverance. For the times we’ve allowed procrastination to steal other milestones we could have experienced.
But it’s still not too late.
And it’s still not too late for you.
As we celebrate Labor Day, let’s remember the rewarding feelings we’ve experienced each time we reached a goal and allow those memories to motivate us to stay more disciplined and focused.
How could asking God to reveal the plans we’ve set aside – or the ones He still has for us – reignite our passion for life?
How rewarding would it be to finally earn your GED, apply for that promotion, start your own business or ministry or dust off the manuscript you haven’t finished?
Living productive lives leads to sweeter days – and better lives. Read Psalm 128:2 (ESV):
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
How about it?
- Have you strayed from something God placed on your heart?
- What about that dream that once kept you awake with excitement?
- What goal have you set aside that, through prayer and focus, could become a reality?
Wouldn’t now be a great time to seek God about it? Or maybe you’d like to explore another dream you’ve been mulling over.
Perhaps finding an accountability partner to help you stay focused would be an effective first step. As we trust God in our labor, there’s something about the respect and admiration we receive from others that’s healthy and motivating. Enviable, even.
The self-respect we gain by the end of the day will make our efforts worthwhile and our lives more fulfilling. Yet, there’s an even deeper reward for each time we persevere toward a goal:
The reward of sensing the proud smile of our heavenly Father cheering us on and saying, “Well done, my child.”
What about you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)
- How would you answer the questions listed under “How about it?” in this post?
- What do you think about these two sentences that appeared at the end of the post? (What feelings do they stir within you?):
“Yet, there’s an even deeper reward for each time we persevere toward a goal:
The reward of sensing the proud smile of our heavenly Father cheering us on and saying, “Well done, my child.”’
If you’re reading by email, CLICK HERE to visit Today Can Be Different online and leave a comment. If you would like to subscribe to this blog and receive the most recent post to your inbox, see sidebar! There’s no charge for this service. AND, I’d be tickled if you would consider sharing this post.
As we celebrate Labor Day, let’s remember the rewarding feelings we’ve experienced each time we reached a goal and allow those memories to motivate us to stay more disciplined and focused.
How could asking God to reveal the plans we’ve set aside – or the ones He still has for us – reignite our passion for life?
“Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor.” Isaiah 3:10
I remember when Lord put it in my heart, mind and Spirit to start POTSy Praise (at a time when I was depressed) and He gave me the verse to start it, along with a photo a friend took at the time, and because I had befriended many with Dysautonomia and Fibromyalgia to start up this group (by helping them physically, emotionally and spiritually), it was just a matter of inviting a bunch of chronically ill Christian friends and even some who maybe needed to hear the good news in the midst of their illness to give them some hope in the midst of pain! The verse was Romans 12:12. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” What a blessing this group has been to me over the years! Then just within the last year God raised up a leader for us to sing hymns at some of the retirement homes for the elderly in our community, which was something I had always thought of doing and there was another ministry that God had prepared for me to a part of ahead of time! “Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.” Psalm 98:4. Thanks Sheryl for reminding me what God is still doing in my life! ✝️
Your story is remarkable, Kim!! I love seeing how God has used you, despite your severe health issues.
Praise the Lord for ALL He has done – and continues to do!!
My dreams have not dimmed, just put on hold. Sometimes life has you sitting on the sidelines for a bit.
So true, Delores. So true.
I pray that, during your “sidelines” season, you will experience God’s mercy and grace in full measure.
So I didn’t get to be a grandma until age 64 (was anticipating that I would have some) What a blessing it has been! So one of my lifelong dreams has become a reality…and to top it off we now have a blended family as they have been living with me for almost 2 years. I never thought that would happen and had a lot of apprehension at first but God has truly turned that apprehension into a blessing (with prayer and patience). My vision for my future was certainly enhanced by God’s plan for my future. At age 69 my passion for the Lord and life are brimming over with blessings!
Hi, Glenda! What a beautiful – and joyful – comment. Thank you for stopping by and sharing that with us.
And welcome to Today Can Be Different, Glenda. I hope we hear from you again.