by Jenny Harrison
“Do not lose hold of your dreams or aspirations. For if you do, you may still exist but you have ceased to live. “
~~Henry David Thoreau
As a young child, I tended to have a strong sense of curiosity and a very active imagination. I have been described by teachers, family, and friends as a deep thinker, creative, a day dreamer, focused, intent, distracted, tenacious, and scattered.These adjectives were accurate depending on the circumstances. Many of my inquiries usually began with “What if?”and “I wonder why?”
My vivid imagination could take me to some fascinating places. By day, the south Texas oil refineries were gray and dingy, but in the evening, with thousands of brilliant lights, the gigantic, sprawling eye sores transformed into a magnificent castle. If you squinted your eyes just right, the lights would twinkle.
I imagined being the beautiful, kind, and adored princess who lived with the king and queen. One day I would meet a handsome prince and have an elaborate wedding ceremony. (This fantasy might explain my childhood fascination with bride dolls).
I dreamed of traveling to far away places of splendor and grandeur. Hours were spent resting in the cool grass on a warm summer day, watching the soft, billowing clouds drift by. Wouldn’t it be amazing if I could climb on one of those clouds and float away to an exotic land? Another fascination during my childhood was the vastness of space. How could there be so many stars? I was in awe of their quantity and brilliance. My bed was next to a window with a clear view of the southeast sky. I remember gazing from the window each evening to catch a glimpse of a falling star. Wishes were made and prayers were voiced to assure that God would hear and know the desires of my heart.
If only we could take the enthusiasm, creativity, and faith of a child, bottle each of the characteristics, and carry them into adulthood. Children have the ability to dream big dreams. Often, “big people” get caught up in a fast paced world regulated with schedules and check lists. Sadly, we forget how to dream or appreciate our surroundings. Creativity and energy are seriously compromised, thus rendering us depleted with limited ability to recognize opportunities and personal God given gifts.
As I read the Bible, it is clear our Savior does not intend for his children to exist in this manner. In fact, scripture reveals a very different picture.
Our Savior knows our heart:
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
We are cherished by the Father:
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Psalm 139:14 (ESV)
Our God is not bound or limited in His ability to provide for His children:
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.
Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
We have great strength through Christ our Lord:
For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20 (ESV)
Dearest Lord and Savior, I will choose this day to live my life to the fullest. According to your word, blessings and gifts are given abundantly and far exceed the limits of my human comprehension. I will be open to recognizing and using the God given spiritual gifts and talents you have so graciously bestowed upon me. Help me precious Lord to do so with a humble heart, giving you all the glory. I pray that my knowledge be transformed to wisdom and I maintain the untainted and pure heart of a child. In your precious name I pray, Amen.
Copyright © 2012, Jenny Harrison, all rights reserved, Breath of Life Women’s Ministries. Bible scripture taken from ESV.
