The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of - Marnie Pohlmann

We all dream of changing the world to be a better place. Some dream of accomplishing change by raising children to be compassionate and kind. Others dream of working hard to achieve success, so they have the riches or the influence to change the world. Writers dream the words they put to paper will touch someone’s life and cause them to feel, see, or be better in the world they live in.

In my sleeping dreams are nightmares.
Dreams. My personal experience with dreams is that they mostly turn into nightmares. Those are not the kind of dreams we desire. Thankfully, dreams for our lives are not made of memories. Dreams for our lives are dependent on the choices we make each day.

The first choice that will lead to the best life dreams is to take the step of choosing God as your Saviour and Lord.

Psalm 37:4 teaches that if I delight in the Lord, He will give me the desires of my heart. I have not studied the original language of this verse, but I doubt it means God is like a genie-in-a-bottle and when we do what He approves of He will give us what we want. Our relationship with God is not based on what we do, what we do is based on our relationship with God; it is a gift because God loves us. I think this verse means God will give me the desires of my heart. Did you read that the way I hear it in my mind? The nuance is that God sets into my heart what I desire. God places His desires for me into my heart, so they become my desires for Him.

In my waking dreams are for the future.
Have you ever wondered why you dream of doing or being what you have claimed as your dream? I was young when I said I was going to be a writer. Even when I figured out writing would probably not provide for my physical needs, and it is not easy, still, when I grow up, I want to be a writer. I have often wondered why that has always been my dream.

Psalm 139:13 says God has knit us together in our mother’s womb. God chose our mother and father to knit us into one He knew we would be.

Ephesians 2:10 explains God prepared works for us to do for Him, so He not only knit us together physically, but He also planted the seeds of our personality. Then we were given life circumstances and experiences that would mold us into one who could do that work. Many people and times influence us, train us, and encourage us to develop into one who at some point chooses to be a child of God who will begin that work He has prepared for us. Our dream has developed because God knit it into our very soul.

Not all the growth to prepare for our dream, our calling, is easy or enjoyable. Sometimes the path may even feel like a nightmare.  Has God ever led you to do exactly what you do NOT want to do? How is that the desire of your heart? We can be sure it’s not the desire of our heart, it’s the desire of God’s heart. Still, we want to run from it. Jonah did just that - and ended up in the belly of a whale, miserable and whining until He agreed to do what God had prepared him to do. I relate to Jonah. What God calls us to can be hard!

In my ageing dreams are elusive.
Sometimes our dreams don’t seem clear. I often have more questions than answers when it comes to walking with God. I believe He has placed on me a calling to write. What am I called to write? Fiction? Magazine articles? Copy for advertisements? Poetry? Am I called to share it publicly, or just locally, for my friends and family, or maybe in the church bulletin? Am I supposed to pursue traditional publishing or figure out how to make an e-book? And then there is marketing. Speaking. Selling. Yuck! So ultimately, I’m back to “Do I have to?”

Time goes by so quickly I feel I should already have reached the pinnacle of my dream. Like Jonah, I make choices to do what I think I want rather than what God asks me to do. I take the whale-of-a-time path that will eventually, I know, lead right back to where I can choose to obey.

But in my faith my dreams are secure.
It is because God has given me the desire to write that I can dream of being a writer. It is because He has led me along the steep and rocky path that I have something to write about. And it is because I trust His training and His Spirit in me that I can be confident in all that being a writer means - even the parts I don’t like.

How do we make a dream come true? We know dreams don’t become reality until we make them goals then take practical steps toward the goals which will make the dream come true. Today is the day to reach for your dream. Head in that direction, one step at a time. As we follow the path God has laid out for us, the desire will grow. The skills will grow. The opportunities will grow.

And one day we will look back and see how God has led us to the mountaintop, the fulfillment of our dream. He has given us the desire of our heart and He will give us the desire of our heart.

Marnie Pohlmann dreams of being a writer when she grows up. In the meantime, she practices and learns and grows with God.
Phosphorescent

*photos courtesy of Pixabay.com CCO license.

What's Next? by Carol Harrison

 

What’s Next?

 I shelved all dreams of writing, let alone being a published author, decades ago until they lay hidden under layers of dust and debris. I put pen to paper occasionally making journal notations or to keep track of necessary events, appointments, and reports for my children’s health or school activities, but not for public display or reading. But God had other plans and the push out of my comfort zone began a dozen years ago.

I pulled those reports. I read my journal ramblings and attempted to write because my husband and daughter challenged me to write a book about the journey with our youngest daughter and the amazing God-moments along the way. I started and hit delete more times than I can remember. I didn't dare to dream this book might become a reality. I dusted off what had once been the enjoyment of writing. I had hidden it so well for too many years and struggled as I began to listen as God directed me towards others who could help me relearn what I had forgotten. To be honest, I moved forward because of a push, multiple ones, and I am embarrassed to say I went towards that hazy dream with tears flowing and negative monkey voices drowning out God’s still small voice on too many days.

 The first published piece, Amee’s Story went on sale in January 2010. Family members begged me to write more stories to preserve family memories. I accepted these requests, some of which ended up published in anthologies and a larger dream began to take shape. But now that I have been pushed

beyond anything I dreamed or imagined, and my writing has been unleashed beyond the boundaries which kept it hidden from view for decades of time, what's next? I hesitated to dream about more.

Then this blog prompt about our writing dreams appeared in my in-box. It forced me to examine what holds me back from reaching out to embrace them as well as what distractions keep the dreams from becoming reality. I asked myself, “What’s next? What’s left to work on?” and struggled to find an answer. I know I am a storyteller and believe I need to be a good steward of that God-given ability but what should it look like? Do I have any other dreams to achieve, and if so, how can I move towards them? These last years have taken me places I never expected to be. I have accomplished a lot, thanks to grandchildren challenging, encouraging, and keeping me accountable when I want to hide behind, “I can’t do that!”  

They’ve asked for me to attend poetry workshops with them. After attending these workshops together, I ended up with a few published poems. My grandson insisted I could and should write a fiction story. It took years until I allowed the novel to be read by anyone, then edited, and now published. So, what’s next? The second novel in the series is written in rough. More poems are waiting for edits. The grandchildren affirmed what they see in me and I can do no less than try what they suggest.

Questions and negative voices still flit through my mind. “you’re too old to still have dreams  about writing to publish!” and “you don’t have enough training” or “you don’t know enough” so maybe you should shelf everything once again and allow the dust bunnies to gather for a convention.

I allowed excuses of not knowing enough to make me look for training opportunities, gather with others to learn from them, and attempt to emulate my favourite authors. Yet I am not them. My writing voice must be my own. My husband finally told me a few years ago, “You need to use what you already know and not just study more.”

I believe continuing to learn and grow in the craft of writing helps the storytelling become stronger and keeps poor quality writing and published works from hindering the audience’s enjoyment of the piece. This is commendable and encouraged in any creative activity. We don’t want to stagnate. But if all I do is study the craft and never practice it, the stories and lessons remain hidden. No one can enjoy them or be educated and encouraged by them. Balance becomes a key to finding my dreams and implementing them so I can move forward. How do you find the balance between learning the writing craft and putting what you know to use? Sit and write. Learn as you edit and review. Then sit and write some more.

As I thought about that negative voice that told me to give up because of my age, God provided many affirmations, including reading about various authors and their journeys to being published. Laura Ingalls Wilder published the first of her Little House series at the age of sixty-five. As I read the bio of J.A. Jance, a mainstream author my husband enjoys reading, I learned how her love of writing as a child and teen was frustrated in college and then by her husband. For eleven years of married life she wrote for herself. Later, as a single mom, she wrote from 4 -7 a.m. and her first published book appeared in 1985. She would have been around forty. Her prolific writing career since then includes short stories, poems, and about sixty-three full length novels.

As I read about these and other writers whose journeys contained road-blocks from inside themselves and dropped in place by others, I knew that the negative voices helped me voice excuses about why not to dream, write more, or understand the capabilities God gave me. The excuses of not being good enough, young enough, or know enough about marketing the books after publication dim the dream to the point of giving up. So instead of saying “one more class", or procrastinating, or comparing myself to other writers and feel like I don't measure up, I need to spend time in prayer asking God to guide the steps I must take to tell the story He places in my heart and mind. I need to realize that I am uniquely created to be me and not a copy of anyone else. 

Then comes goal setting. A dream cannot become reality unless I take that step of faith and start working on short and long term goals towards a final project. My actions dictate whether more writing and the marketing of what I write stays a dream or moves into the realm of possibility. It’s time to quiet the negative monkey voices chattering in my mind through prayer, preparation, planning, and preventing procrastination from taking over. No more distracting myself with excuses. Continue to accept those challenges from the grandchildren. How can I tell them to pursue their dreams, use their abilities, and share those with others, if I am unwilling to move out of the comfort zone of “I’ve done enough.” It’s time to dream again. What’s next?

My dream is to tell the stories that will share the good news of the gospel and encourage others. Riches, fame, and comparison never satisfy like being faithful to what God sets before me, even when it pushes me out of my comfort zone is where my dreams need to focus on. I don't know what this might look like but God does and He will do more than I can ever dream of as long as I am willing to be available and obedient.

“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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3: 20,21

 

Carol Harrison writes, dreams, and tells stories from her home in Saskatoon. She credits her family for pushing her into sharing her stories in written form and keeping her accountable to use her storytelling to encourage, entertain, and educate others. She finds stories in everything around her including the antics of her children and grandchildren.

A God Moment in a Sunrise by Brenda Leyland

"God speaks in ways

that are personal to us." 

JENNIFER LECLAIRE

Some of the sweetest, most thrilling, poignant moments of my life have been when God has spoken directly to me—through a verse or song, a persistent inner nudge, a definite word for something I needed in a situation. My life narrative for the most part has not been one of high drama, so I have rarely received high drama messages from Him—although my friend and I years ago received a simultaneous inner warning late one night at a city bus stop that we were in eminent danger and needed to 'get out of here now', which we heeded without question.

The event that came to mind to share here does not involve anything as dramatic as a warning or life changing direction. Nonetheless it was unforgettable for me. It was early one morning in August many years ago. I had been asleep but felt myself struggling to wake up. I could hear someone calling my name. Fully awake I realized the voice had been in my dream; everyone else in the house was still asleep. The voice didn't seem urgent, but it had been clear and persistent. Had I been awakened for a particular reason? I was ready....

I slipped out of bed and glanced through the window. Oh my, the whole westerly sky was alive with bright pink clouds against purple grey ones. Grabbing my camera, I rushed outside where it was even more spectacular.

No matter which way I turned, the heavens were ablaze with colour. Dazzled, I stood agape as mottled clouds transformed into a sky-size canvas awash in shades of salmon and coral, hints of grape at the horizon.

It started to sprinkle and on top of that vast canvas a rainbow began to emerge. I kept thinking how cool is this and found myself laughing. Lord, this is you, isn't it? You woke me up so we could share this splendid sunrise together.

I twirled round and round to catch it all; I didn't want to miss a thing. It was breathtaking. And then towards the south, in front of my eyes, not just one but two full rainbows were arcing the sky. 

It all lasted about 20 minutes, and then grey clouds blanketed the sky. Only a hint of apricot remained where the sun peeked through. Anyone looking from their window at that stage might have said, oh there's the sun, how nice, but we knew they'd missed the real show. Most poignant for me came the thought, what if I had not heard or heeded the voice calling my name? I, too, could have snoozed right past one of the most enthralling sunrises of my life.

There was no extenuating circumstance where I needed Him to show himself to me in such an unforgettable way. I guess I always thought dreams from God were for important business like warnings or definite instructions....not for getting up to watch a sunrise. Except, in a love relationship Lovers are always looking for ways to delight the Loved One. The Lord certainly knows how I delight in the beauty and wonder of his creation. In the great scheme of things, perhaps this wasn't one of life's weightiest moments, but it certainly was one of the most enchanting I have ever shared with Him. And every time I think of it, I feel exquisitely loved by Him.

© Photo credits: Brenda C Leyland

(Photos in original state, not edited in any way)

A long-time InScribe member, Brenda writes from her home in Alberta, Canada. She shares her love of the beautiful in everyday life with readers on her blog at It's A Beautiful Life and Facebook.

Dreaming of Things to Come by Susan Barclay

Getting on the fast-track

As I faced this month's writing challenge, initiated by me, I wondered what I had in mind at the time of suggesting it. Anything? Anything at all? Has God spoken to me about my writing or used it to speak to others about Him in a meaningful way? Is He speaking to me now?

If you count my contributions on Inscribe Writers Online, I have received positive feedback fairly often. Thank you for letting me know when a piece I've written speaks to your heart; it's greatly encouraging!

For this post, though, it's the present I latch onto: "...perhaps He is speaking to you now."

He is speaking to me now indeed. Whether it's about the writing or something else, I'm not 100% sure. What I am certain of is that it pertains to my work and that He is calling me to a new thing. This doesn't mean that I'm to stop what I'm currently doing, that I'm to resign my position at the library or step away from my writing commitments or forget about submitting manuscripts, poems, etc. It does mean that I need to pay attention, to look for doors that might be opening, to listen to the comments of others who may be dropping heavenly hints, to hear what God is saying to me through His Word, and to be in prayer, seeking His direction.

One way He has spoken to me recently is through a dream. While I won't go into its details, and I know that it may sound weird to some, a friend who is gifted in interpretation shared that God is entrusting me with something of great value and is putting me on the fast-track somewhere. Through the dream He says that He hears my heart and it matches His for this particular thing. He is present with me, even if I can't see Him. The dream is about something to come but also has a warning: this is the time to get ready, to prepare. A life-changing moment is coming. He will advise me what to do, and it will be done through Him, supernaturally.

If life has been "interesting" this past year (to say the least), it seems that the wow factor may just be ramping up. My desire is to be in the centre of God's will and to say yes to whatever He has for me. I trust that is the desire of your heart for your life as well. May God bless each of us as we respond in obedience and follow where He leads.

_________________
Susan Barclay maintains a website at www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com and has practically given up on blogging there.