Dare to Dream BIG

Dad, I want to fly.

I want to soar high above the rest of the world. 

To fly and remember that no one can take away my wings. 

To see these people the way you see them and

To understand them in the beauty of the bigger picture. 

Dad, I want to fly. 

I want to jump and experience what it feels like to not land. 

To trust in the power that holds me up. 

To believe there are greater things out there for me and

To grasp a glimpse of what it means to be next to you. 

Dad, I want to fly. 

I want to rest because sometimes walking is just too hard. 

To experience the true joy of freedom. 

To feel the rush of fresh wind brush across my face and

To hold onto the hope of the promises embedded in the stars. 

Dad, I want to fly. 

.

My Child, close your eyes and remember that

in me you have HOPE,

through me you are STRENGTHENED,

and with me you will SOAR. 

—[isaiah 40:30-31]—

The undeniable cool floor directly brushed the tiny naked spot on the balls of my feet. There it was again. Although having hole-ly socks in undergrad is considered acceptable fashion, it never negated the slew of discomfort that accompanied it. 

Three pairs in one week - a new record of sorts. Beyond just the idea that a perfect sock was now tainted with an undesired tear, the discomfort that this mangled cloth offered, quickly added fuel to the frustration. Tempted by the need to fugalize even my footwear, this pair was going to be kept safe from the Can for the time-being.

But the focus was still constantly set on the hole in the sock. It was the most visibly tangible explanation for all my problems. When my feet grew cold, it was because the sock didn’t effectively contain the warmth. When my feet became wet, it was because the sock didn’t give complete covering. And when my feet started to hurt, it was because the hole took away the extra cushioning. The investigation stopped there. The problems were just the problems and there was nothing beyond that. 

Until, of course, 2 days ago. The tatter state of my shoes caused by the wear and tear of Michigan salty snow had created a less than ideal environment for my soles. It wasn’t until 2 days ago that I noticed the poor condition of these orthotics. The most pressing problem wasn’t the socks at all. “Three pairs in one week” was only a symptom of my torn and broken sole. 

Yes. I had let my guard down and allowed a full on assault of my soul. My problems weren’t the real problem. My soul was. It had been deteriorating and I was so focused on being frustrated by the holes that I didn’t even see beyond them.

It was the condition of my soul.

This will be an interesting journey. 

PROVERBS 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

WELLSPRING: A source of continual supply. [merriam-webster]

1 CORINTHIANS 13:13 - And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Have you ever wondered why our hearts and the concept of love are such important topics of discussion? What is it about our hearts that we have to guard it and why is it the continual supply for life? Why does love surpass the importance of faith and hope? 

source: http://eimilesimile.blogspot.com/2011/08/guard-your-heart.html

When you think about the things in your life that mean the most to you, what is the one thing that seems to remain constant? 

The things we’re passionate about, the things that makes our hearts sing, these are the things that we love. The things that matter and have an actual impact on who we are, these are the things we hold the closest to ourselves.

There are many things that we often “like,” but it’s those things that we love that truly define us. 

That is why our hearts matter so much. The things we allow ourselves to love - the things that enter into this wellspring of life - those are the things that define who we are. It’s why passion matters. It’s why the strongest bonds of friendship are founded in something deeper than sharing a favorite color (unless of course, that is what you love). And it’s why, when we unpackage John 3:16 - that God so loved us, that He would send His one and only Son to save us - it reveals a new identity.

Love defines. 

It defines not only who we are, but what we do and why we do what we do. Whether acknowledged or not, this often distorted concept says a lot about who we are as individuals. What we choose to love - not just “like” - gives us our unique character and demonstrates a lot about what makes us…us. And the ones that love us back reveal yet another layer of our identities. 

We guard our hearts, therefore, not so that we won’t make mistakes and not because we won’t get hurt, but because our hearts and its condition reflects us.

What do you love? Who do you love? Who loves you back? What defines you? 

Learning that falling flat on my face is God’s way of bringing me to my knees.

It’s a lesson in conquering the fear of failures.

Learn as you go starts with going, not waiting to be ready.