I stepped off the porch that bear-hugs our white colonial home, filled with childhood memories. I thought about how hard my parents worked to achieve the American Dream--a house in the suburbs and a two-car garage with cars to fill it. We as parents want so much more for our children, praying that they will dream bigger and live more abundantly than we did. But, sometimes we lose sight of the purpose of dreaming. As our territory becomes larger through life's experiences, our influence becomes greater, and our circle of family/friends expands. This in turn should remind us that our dreams are meant to be shared! We are not created to walk this journey alone. Now, here I am evaluating the dream I once had. Was it big enough for two? I begin to suck in air, let it fill my chest, and breathe life back into it, only this time I let go of my wants and examine the need. My son may not ever grow up in a house guarded by a white picket fence, but I pray he sees how much I love him, not by what I can provide for him, but how I show him.
The American dream tells us that we are to save money for a rainy day, settle for the sedan, purchase the house walking distance from our child's school, and wait. We wait for the day we can retire, eat the fruits of our labor, watch our grandchildren, and finally take up that hobby we so passionately enjoyed in our youth. In reality however, this isn't how most of our lives play out. We pay into a social security system that is no longer secure. Our bodies and minds are degenerating much faster than our ancestors, partly because we stare at a computer monitor daily that sits atop a desk in an office at a job that we hate! Yet, it ceases to amaze me, that we spend more hours there than at home where we should be building our dream instead of working to afford it. And so the story goes, we come home agitated because the house is a mess, dinner has not yet been prepared, and our little ones (while screaming for our attention) are in desperate need of a bubble bath and bed, not to mention a little quality time with us. All the while, we believe we have cut out our share of the pie, when in reality we have cut ourselves out from our lives, a little something we like to call sacrifice. Then, one day our Maker dots the i's and crosses the t's in the final draft of our story and we are left with a harsh realization. Life quickly blows out like the flint of a candle. And as for our legacy, prayerfully, it is not summed up by the money we left behind in our will.
It is sad, but true. We as humans try our hardest to create a makeshift heaven on earth. But there is no such thing as a perfect world. The only perfection we will ever face is in the promise of eternal life we receive through Jesus Christ. Some people believe we should stop dreaming until then. I don't. We can make our lives worth living if we step back, put it into perspective, and prioritize.
First and foremost, I propose that we stop putting things off for the future, all that we hope to accomplish in our old age. What if that day never comes? I would like for you to visualize the following scenario. One day you are driving and you audibly hear the voice of God. He briefly states that you have 6 months to live and advises that you get your affairs in order before then. Do you think your perspective would change? Would you prioritize your life a little differently? I'm sure none of us would say, "Wow, I really need to be putting in more hours at work!". On the contrary, I believe that most of us would invest our time wisely. How would you choose to live your life?
I might show my son how much I love him without saying a thing. We would ride bikes around the neighborhood and play with his matchbox car set without a care about where I should be or what work I need to complete. I might spend lunches in my sisters' school cafeteria and show up to every game. I might have dinner prepared for my parents before they step foot in the house, a simple gesture of thanks for all they have done. I might complete that project that is now buried under the rubble of fear and distractions. I might finally live!
As for my dream, I picture my life as six months and counting. I am working towards a legacy that is not defined by social status or material gain. It is an imprint left behind on the hearts of those whose lives I have touched, turning their attention and affection to the only One worthy of a legacy--Jesus Christ.
Please stay tuned to the sequel regarding our divine purpose and what scripture states about the fruition of dreams. Also, please take the time out to view a video I have recently posted entitled "Seize the Day" at the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvNcXP4gDZU
Until next time, be encouraged! God bless!
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