My mind gently drifts up and down with the waves. Thoughts come and go of the past while I dream of the future. Eyes closed, I float in my own little world. Cool lake water shocks my warm skin as my daughter splashes me back to reality. Drifting and dreaming in the lake is a favorite summer treat. Rarely do I take the time to just be. But being by water fills my soul. It offers solace and peace; here I find comfort and envision God-sized dreams.
Last weekend amid busyness, I got up early to catch up on some projects. While not near water, I closed my eyes to drift, dream and talk to God. It was greatly needed. So often caught up in the minutia of life, I typically focus on the trees and miss the forest. I blink and years are gone. Praying to God, I regroup. I think of previous dreams and wonder, did I pursue them enough or get lost along the way?
C.S. Lewis once said, “You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream.” Sage advice from a wise man.
Dreaming periodically is good and needed in life. Dreaming with God guiding us is even better. When we dream God-sized dreams seeking Him along the way, amazing things happen. Summertime is a perfect time to dream and plan. As a planner myself, I adore how God says He has big plans for us.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” ~Jeremiah 29:11
Sounds amazing, right? But so often my dreams are full of me, me, me. Or I get caught up in the details and miss following in faith. How will I know God’s good plans for me if I don’t seek Him as I dream? So, I’m trying to seek Him more as I dream up my plans and this summer is a great example.
Currently I’m tackling two dreams simultaneously. These God-sized dreams morphed over the years and while full of potential, much work is required. I’m left excited, exhilarated and exhausted all at the same time. God has placed these dreams in my heart but often, I want to stop. They feel too big, too much for me. Guilt overwhelms when these dreams steal time from my family or other responsibilities. But there’s a sense of urgency. There’s a reason God wants me to be doing this, and doing it now. I may not know why, but I clumsily follow in faith.
I’m unsure how it will all end. I’m curious if the dreams or the process of following them is the end result. That’s the beauty of God-sized dreams. They’re not ours, they’re His. We are just one piece in God’s amazing puzzle of life. It isn’t our job to know everything, that’s God’s job. Ours is to listen to the God-sized dreams He gives us and follow in faith.[tweetthis]Our job is to listen to God’s dreams for us & follow in faith [/tweetthis]
Next week I’m headed to the lake. I cannot wait to carve out time to just be. To float, drift and dream. I know I’ll find peace, solace and more dreams with God by the water. How will you take the time to dream this summer? I encourage you to find your place to just be. It can be anywhere you seek Him for guidance to His God-sized dream for you. Then let’s follow those God-sized dreams together in faith.
Linking up with Angie at #100HappyDays, Dawn Klinge at #GraceandTruth, Holly Barrett at #TestimonyTuesday, Holley Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart, Susie Eller at #liveFree and Crystal Twaddell at #FreshMarketFridays
I’m so glad you shared this beautiful post at 100 Happy Days! I think summer is a great time to plan and dream. I feel the same way about God sized dreams too. They can be scary and sometimes even confusing when we need to balance our time with family. I agree that just maybe it’s the process of following the dream God plants in our hearts that teaches us to learn to trust him. We are headed to a lake soon–and I’m sure I will be thinking of this post as I gaze upon the water and contemplate what God’s will and direction.
Thanks Valerie for stopping by and your thoughts. I love the time to just be and spend happy days with God dreaming His dreams into reality. I pray you will find some God-sized dreams of your own at the lake this summer! Thanks again!
Love this Jill! Great reminder to seek Him as we pursue the dreams He has placed in our hearts. Sometimes I get so caught up in the dream I run ahead. 🙂
It’s so easy to do, isn’t it, Kelly when our dreams become louder or more important than God’s dreams for us? Thanks for your thoughts, Kelly always a pleasure to have you stop by!
I think I need to start dreaming bigger! Thank you for sharing this. If the Lord is behind our dreams, hopes, and goals, He will enable us to accomplish them (even if it’s in a different way than we expect).
Yes, Julie! When we surrender our dreams and plans to Him, I love how He accomplishes His will through us-let’s keep dreaming those God-sized dreams! Thanks for stopping and your thoughts, have a dream filled weekend!
Oh, I love dreaming and just contemplating what God puts into my heart!! I also have a couple of God-sized dreams and there is an excitement, yet almost a fear, too. Sometimes it is difficult to fully let God have control, isn’t it, especially when we have such big dreams. I love being on the water, too!! In fact, 3 years ago, when the hubby and I became empty nesters and decided to really downsize and simplify our lives, we also moved into a cottage on a lake. May you have a relaxing and peaceful time on the lake, too!!
Thanks Ann-how wonderful the experience of following the dreams God gives us. AND how great to be on a cottage full time-ahh! Looking forward to how your dreams from God develop-keep me posted and thanks for the comment!
I love the C.S. Lewis quote and he certainly lived that — some of his best writing came late in his life. May our dreams be always proportional to the size of our God!
Thanks Michele and yes, when we set our eyes on God, our dreams will grow in proportion to His plan for us! Thanks for stopping by, may He give you some big dreams!
Beautiful post. I hope you have a great time at the lake. Be blessed, my friend. xx
Thanks Carolina for stopping in and visiting with your thoughts. I’m so looking forward to relaxation and dreaming with God! Blessings to you as well!
Jill, I so appreciate your post. I struggle with letting the dreams God has placed in my heart remain in God’s hands, and in His timing. It’s so easy to try to morph them into a dream that’s all about me. Ugh. I am continually reminded that God knows the plans HE has for me. When I walk in His timing, I can walk in peace, even if I only know the next step, rather than all the steps. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing your heart today. And, thank you for stopping by my place today.It’s been nice to “meet” you!
Thanks Jeanne for coming on by and sharing your thoughts on God’s dreams for us. It’s about the following in His timing isn’t it, so true that it’s then when we find the most peace. It was great to “meet” you too, looking forward to connecting again!
Yes! Go ahead and live His dreams for you! Thanks for the inspiration early this morning!
Lovely …
Thanks Linda for your comments-yes let’s live our God-sized dreams into reality! Hope you’ll stop by again soon!
“You are never too old to set a new goal or dream”…love this and thankful for such truth. God is never done with us, as long as we have another breath, we can bring Him glory! Your message is filled with encouragement, and I love visiting here:)
Thanks Crystal and I love having you come over! Thanks for your encouragement and sharing, you are a blessing to me!