Remembering Our Dreams

"When people conclude that all is futile, then the absurd becomes the norm"

Stanley Crouch

 

   I got tired of laying on my back today. I wasn't in bed all day, just for a portion of the afternoon. You see, I injured my back when I was in the military and sometimes it flares up on me unawares and my normally sporadic schedules gets side-lined until the pain subsides. I pray that I am not sounding as if I am whining; I hate to be a complainer, for there are far worse situations than my own ailment that deserves God's attention.  But if you believe that everything happens for a reason, as I do, then you will also do as I do; make lemons out of your lemonade.

  While paused I began to meditate on "Making It". I'm referring to that position in life whereas one will say that they have attained; and not merely on a spiritual level, but on a financial and materialistic level, as well.  I'm not your boy who aspires to be spiritually complete but lives a life of pauperdom. And this thought gave rise to another question in my active mind: Why are we given such awesome gifts only to find ourselves mainstreamed into a field that is so familiar and safe and oh, so boring.  I would venture to say that somewhere along the way our dreams became side-swapped by what is commonly known as reality.  And who determines your reality or my reality?  It ought to be us determining our own direction but sadly, that is not the case. 

  Life is filled with stories of those who pressed on towards their dreams until they struck oil.  as a child, my siblings and I were given many opportunities to sing and perform in front of our parent's guests. What applause we received and what sincere praise was given to our efforts. But reality said "Your family is too darn poor and too black and to ugly and too normal to pursue a musical dream".  And so we all found ourselves living a societal dream and working a societal job and living a socially acceptable life. I despise reality, for it is not for us but against us.  Reality says "If it feels good then it must be wrong."  Reality causes those who have a good life to believe they are undeserving of it until they forfeit it. Reality points to  all of our friends and peers who are doing what is "safe and certain" and tells us to stay away from that unusual and unpopular dream. 

  But I refuse to ride a rocking chair of what-ifs and I shoulda coulda woulda. When are they over, those dreams we have placed on hold?  I say not until we lay asleep in the earth.  But now I breathe in and slowly exhale. I focus on what it is I am going to go after and I will be relentless until it is in my hands. Tomorrow I may need to read my own words again so I will remain motivated, but that's okay. As long as I do not fall asleep.

  Dust off your dream and breathe life back into them. Sing that song, write that book, love that person, make that journey. Do it with your whole heart, and do not falter. Fear is not your friend.

  I love you all,
  Dennis

 

    

You Don't Know My Story

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will spring up quickly; and your vindication will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will guard your back.
Isaiah 58:8

  I was up early this morning. I had a great deal of errands to run. I purposed my day to be this way because moving about has always helped me to sort my thoughts and is also a great way, (at least for me), to figure out specific equations in my mind.  At one point as I was driving I felt a wave of conviction flow over me. Perhaps the feeling was triggered by a song I heard or maybe a certain thought; I truly don't know, but I do remember consciously shaking off that cloud and ushering in great thoughts of my present blessings.

  It really should come as no surprise whenever an unexpected or overwhelming weight of our past collides with our present. You who are spiritual know that we wrestle against good and evil; flesh and spirit, everyday. If I were to allow my demons of the past to control my life I would not be able to get out of bed in the morning. I would be too ashamed to come to God for anything because of my feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness.  I will be the first to admit that I have made my share of mistakes in this life. It is only by God's grace that I am alive, free, and have my well being.  For my sake He forgave me and put a muzzle on the snitches and made my enemies my footstool. There is no one too low that God cannot pull out.  

  I often think back on many of the leaders and prophets in the Bible who God called to do so many great things for His people. Here are a few:

• King David
• King Saul
• King Solomon
• Adam and Eve
• Samson
• Moses
• Abraham
• Aaron
• Eli
• Lot
• Isaac
• Jacob

Now take a moment and consider which of these people were perfect and had never sinned. Do you see my point?

All we can do is speak the truth. The rest is up to the individual.

  Like the little rich man, Zacchaeus, (Luke chapter 19), let us come down from our high places of self-righteousness, judgemental attitudes and self-absorbed importance and sincerely love one another.

  Have a great day and pray for your enemies. Ain't nobody mad but the devil.
  I love you all.
  Dennis

Finding Thanks

 

 

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

  March has barely begun and its few days have already brought a whirlwind of activity; both good and bad. I was blessed to see another birthday in February. It's true that as you get older you become aware of your every thought and action and there is always the unspoken knowledge that you will be held accountable for your deeds, (or misdeeds), when it is all said and done.  It's no secret that I am referring to things of a spiritual, (or religious), nature.

  I personally find it a good thing that in my graying years I am able to both maintain my relationship with God, (whom I have known from a small child), and retrospectively meditate on who I was throughout my life. Sometimes I easily smile at some of the things I have seen and done while on this life's journey. On other occasions I shiver and wonder "What was I thinking"?  Of the many paths one's life may offer it is an eerie thought when you consider that one chosen decision meant the difference between life or death; freedom or imprisonment, health or illness, heaven or hell.  

  As I step out into the morning's brisk air I am consciously aware that my life belongs to God and no other, and if I am to be all that He desires I be I must walk in courage and conviction and stand firmly on what I know and believe to be true; even if it causes me to stand alone, as it often does.

  But still I am able to feel a sincere smile emerge across my face as I venture out for it isn't all about me, is it?  We have made it to another Friday, my friends. Make the best of it as if it were your last.

  I love you all.

 

  Dennis