Should we settle?

Part 1

There was a defining moment in Abram's life.
He was with his father, Terah, and a few others who had set out for Canaan. When they arrived in Haran, "they settled there." (Gen 11:31).
The goal was Canaan. They stopped in Haran. And settled.

We do this in life.
In school...I did the required work, a C is average, good.
In dating...well, he's not great but he's good enough.
In marriage...she drives me nuts but it's too much work to try to improve it.
In a career...well, at least I get a paycheck, even though it's not what I'm worth.

Then at the age of 75 years old, God said to Abram, "leave your country...and go to the land I will show you." He did not go in blind faith, but in complete confidence in God's trustworthiness.
Abram had to leave the settled world and begin a pilgrimage with God to a better world of God's making.
And God promised that when he obeyed, he would be blessed. Sevenfold (Gen 12:2).
And so the adventure begins. The dream begins.

Do you have dreams?
The reason you are still alive is that God still has something for you to do. We all plateau, but if we stay the course and push toward the goal, there is much blessing at the end.
Perhaps, if we all plateau, the issue is how long will we let it last before we push through and move on.

How do we push through?
1. Begin to dream again. You will need to do this several times in your life. It requires you to imagine what you can get to, what you can yet become.
2. It is never too late. If Abram can begin fulfilling his dream at 75 yrs old, you can certainly do it now. Look at those who became successful as senior citizens: Mary Kay. You may not become everything you dream of, but you'll never be anything if you don't dream.
3. The bigger people dream, the bigger they live. We all have potential. When we dream, our potential comes to the surface. Our faith is then developed. Faith is the evidence of things unseen (Heb 11:1). Imagine what yet can be done.

What is it that propels you? What motivates you? Without fantasizing, what do you dream of doing, of becoming?

Dreaming compels us to start learning again. I have been a stay at home mom for many years. I have rekindled some of my dreams. I am exploring photography. I am writing. I am taking classes and joining groups. I am asking questions and pursuing knowledge.

It stirs my heart again....

From Living Out Loud

We lie
when there is too much pain

We pretend
when it is easier

We wish
so we don't run out of hope

We turn on noise
to tune out the voice in our head

We create illusions
to make sense of the world

We cry
because it hurts

All these years
the one person who I counted on
to fight for me
to be on my side
to protect me
was me.
And I failed.

I left me long before you did.

I'm going back
and I'm going to finish this time.

Give it up

Here is a warning to those who sit around on the night before Ash Wednesday and decide what to give up for Lent:

Pick chocolate, not alcohol!

(for those who do not normally participate in Lent, this is a 40 day period beginning Ash Wednesday and ending at Easter).

I opted for alcohol for this year.
For 40 days.
Shouldn't be a big deal.
It has become, however the most trying of times: My children have decided to push ALL my buttons at the same time. The dog dug down to the PVC piping to chew on it...quite a feat given the ground is still frozen. My friends have suddenly become busy with their families and activities. My work, despite this economy, has become busier and more demanding. My personal trainer is bringing a new definition to the word pain, and Aleeve is not as effective as I remember. The toxic relationships that I thought were behind me have been creeping back into my life and the need for escape is upon me.

Until now I didn't realize that Merlot had become such a good friend. BBQing steaks and roasting veggies isn't the same without that cold beer to hold while I laugh with good friends and the Martini Bar just wasn't the same without those yummy lemon drops.

I am big on commitments. When you start something you finish it. It has been suggested that I simply substitute alcohol for something else. I guess that would make it easier but when you join the soccer team and it gets hard you don't just switch to lacrosse mid season.
The whole point of Lent is to experience something slightly difficult...to persevere.... to endure.
And I will. I will stay committed. Every day until Easter.

And next year, I'll try to remember not to give up coffee!!