God is Rewriting Your Story
Have you ever felt like some dreams were essentially dead? Maybe something you imagined as a child, but other voices and responsibilities got in the way? Does it seem like its too late? A lot of us have had dreams that haven’t seemed to work out and we have wound up disappointed, discouraged and in despair. We may have just said oh well to ourselves and just written it off as too late or too dead.
However, I have been sensing for a while God is rewriting our stories to make them better than we could have ever imagined. Our past has been preparation for this new season. Even though we may not understand all the whys, God is in the midst of it all and has a plan to give us a future and a hope as well as a strategy out of the mess and mire.
As a child, my dream was to be a prima ballerina with the NYC ballet. I truly devoted every waking moment, outside of school training under a former NYC ballet dancer. As a child, I had the opportunity to stand on the stage of Lincoln Center and meet the dancers during warm-up before a performance. I recall saying to the Executive Director who was a family friend, “I will dance here one day.” I had no doubt that my dream would come to pass. However, my parents, had other desires for me and I went to a great boarding school, but it did not offer a dance program. As I followed along the path others wanted for my life, I gave up my dream of dancing and accepted it. A lot of us have a dream and then a “however”.
Years later, a friend introduced me to a woman exactly my age who had danced professionally with the New York City Ballet as a prima ballerina. This friend had no idea that it was a childhood desire. He introduced this woman at a critical time in my life, since had been through similar struggles and overcome them. She was farther along on the path of overcoming, but really took time to encourage me and share her journey with vulnerability. It was incredible to me that I was able to share with some years later who had actually danced the dream I envisioned and definitely not a coincidence.
The other day, I came home to a big box on my front porch. Inside, my friend who introduced us and the dear ballerina collaborated to send the kindest gift. He had the idea and she created a gift from her pointe shoe she wore dancing with the NYC ballet and dried roses from a personal bouquet after one of her performance. She also included a precious ballerina in front of a mirror practicing in the studio. This heartfelt masterpiece spoke to me about how God’s dreams are so big that they encompass us and each day, we have the opportunity to practice walking out the amazing destinies He designed.
As I opened the box, I sensed God saying, I am rewriting your story and resurrecting childhood dreams in ways you could have never even imagined. Of course, I don’t see myself becoming a prima ballerina now, but I hear the heart of God saying I haven’t forgotten you or the dreams I put in your heart. I am breathing life on that which seemed dead in your life and restoring to you dreams that appeared dead. I am rebuilding the ruins in your life so much greater than what you can conceive. Be expectant and trust in Me. I am the Author and Finisher of your faith.
Reflections:
What are some of the dreams you had as a child or even as an adult that you laid aside?
God wants to rewrite your story in places of brokenness and pain. Spend some time dreaming with God. Ask God to help you dream and see your story through His eyes.
If you are struggling to dream again, what is standing in your way? Remember His faithfulness in previous situations in your live or others.
Helpful Scriptures
Ezekiel 37:5-6, Isaiah 44:21, Isaiah 49:15-16, Psalm 139:16-17, Hebrew 12:2