Category: Uncategorized

Musing on Isaiah 42:16 Blurred Vision

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Ever feel like you need your eyes adjusted? Things in life seem so blurry. Uncertain. Me too. But we have the hope of One who gives sight to the blind. Who brings clarity to blurry circumstances. 

Wednesday, we’ll be talking about a man who saw blurry. But in an instant, Jesus miraculously re-calibrated his brain. So come by and be encouraged, blind one. God shows no partiality. 

Musings/Meditation Prompts: Remember times when you’ve walked blindly. Muse on the sight God gave you, even if it was hindsight. You made it out. God can be trusted. He’s a tender remedy for blinded eyes. A soothing balm for irritated vision. 

If you could see one wonder before you die, what would it be? 


Story Tellers

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

Let’s play a game. 

Ah, don’t say it’s too early! Or your brain is fried. I know better. Come on! Pleeease!

We’re going to write a little story together. Come on! 

Genre: Romantic Comedy

I’ll start with one sentence and then the next person pick up where I left off. One sentence or two but no more! Then the next and next. It’ll be fun. You know it will. I’ll post the final product on my facebook page on Monday. 

Jane clomped down the hall in heels she hated, but right now all she had over Amber Donaldson was the three extra inches. Not that height would get her the promotion, but at this point in the game she’d stoop–well not so much stoop– but tower to get any recognition she could. She swung open Jeremy’s door and… (your turn)

Oh and this isn’t for publication so don’t sweat the editing or perfect word choice. Notice, I didn’t. Have fun!

What is the Peace Offering?

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

 

 
At some time or
other you’ve been restless. Would you say that is true? I know in my life it
is. I wrestle with doubts, fears, confusions, decisions that need to be made,
direction for my life, hard questions and so much more.
 
I’ve had sleepless
nights. Worrisome days.
 
But there is peace
to be had. For every single issue that you wrestle with. Every circumstance,
every horrendous event. Peace is attainable.
 
Leviticus Chapter 3.
Don’t click off the page yet! Leviticus is a beautiful book.  In these pages you’ll discover God setting up
a system of holy living for His people, including how-to instructions for
sacrifices, the ordination of priests, laws concerning unclean/clean,
atonement, morality, other laws for holy living). They were set in place for a
reason and we can learn from them today. 
 
Though they were
temporarily put in place. They foreshadowed something permanent. And that’s the
fun treasure we get to dig out of it! Yes, yes it can be fun!
 
“The law is only an unclear picture of the good things
coming in the future; it is not the real thing. The people under the law offer
the same sacrifices every year, but these sacrifices can never make perfect
those who come near to worship God. If the law could make them
perfect, the sacrifices would have already stopped. The worshipers would be
made clean, and they would no longer have a sense of sin. But
these sacrifices remind them of their sins every year, because
it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
Hebrews 10:1-4 NCV
 
Now, back to Chapter
3 of Leviticus: The Peace Offering
 
The Hebrew word for
the peace offering is, “shelem” which means, “to sacrifice to be
in an alliance or friendship with.” “a voluntary sacrifice of
thanks.” “a requital” (which is something given or done as
repayment for kindness or a friendly act).
 
This word,
“shelem” comes from the root word, “shalam” and it’s a
verb. Yeah, how bout that. It means, “to be in covenant of peace, to be at
peace, to be complete, whole, sound, finished, sealed, uninjured.”
 
Uh, yes, please!
I’ll have some of that.
 
The peace offering
was given willingly.
 

In essence it was like the person was saying, “Thank
you, God, for your acts of kindness and friendship. Thank you for this covenant
of peace. I’m bringing you this sacrifice in the way you’ve asked me to. May it
be a sweet aroma to you. Let it waft around you sweeter than honeysuckle,
sweeter than lilacs. Thank you for making me complete and whole, and sealed.
Your friendship means everything to me. It was worth the time it took to bring
this animal without any spot or blemish–because you are holy Lord and I can
bring nothing else– lay my hands upon it, kill it at the door of the
tabernacle, where you meet with me. Bless your name, LORD!”

 
Then the priests
would sprinkle the blood all around the altar. Blood offends us and has become
synonymous with death thanks to TV and movies and Bram Stoker. But blood was
never meant to be dark or represent death. Blood has always been about life.
Life is in the blood. Blood cries out when it’s been taken, cries for avenging.
And God hears. God avenges. Blood is… I’m about to chase a rabbit here.
 
The priests, who
were the only ones who could minister to God–thank you, Jesus for your
life-giving blood that tore the veil in two and made us a royal priesthood (1
Peter 2:9)! We now have direct access to your throne. No longer do we have to
stand outside the door and let the priests do what we could not! We come all
the way in. And we get to stay!
 
 
Somebody get excited
over that! Somebody lift a praise! A shout!
 
Now back to
Leviticus 3. The priest would arrange the wood on the fire. Then the peace
offering was to be laid over the burnt sacrifice (offering), which was the only
sacrifice that was entirely consumed on the altar. I believe another sacrifice
was wholly laid on wood in the form of cross and went through fire for us. So
the specifics here aren’t incidental. The arrangement of the sacrifices pointed
to the ultimate sacrifice. The Lamb of God. Pure and spotless. Because of Jesus
we have peace, soundness, wholeness, we’re sealed. We offer him our sacrifice
because of his great act of kindness toward us.
 
But wait, there’s
more! Yes, I said that just like an infomercial.
 
Look at the organs
that were required in the Peace Offering (if from the herd, a lamb also required
the fatty tail which is by the backbone):
 
The fat–because fat is the best. (I know we’re
in a whole generation of non-fat lovers, but then it was the most prized
portion.)
 
The two kidneys.
 
The
fatty lobe attached to the liver.
 
Why these parts? I
mean did God flippantly say, “Hey, just toss in the kidney and liver. Meh,
while your at it chunk the fat too.”
 
No.
 
In ancient times,
the kidneys were considered the seat of your
emotions (not the heart like today which I like better by the way) Let’s
talk about our emotions, when they get in the way and we let them lead, what
happens to our peace? God says, give me your emotions. I will give you
soundness. Wholeness.
 
The fat–the best part. The part they wanted to keep,
to hold onto. “Yes,” says the Lord, “I’ll take all the
parts you think you need to hang onto. I’ll take the part you treasure most,
the part you think you can control. I like to call it your own strength, talent
and abilities, which by the way I’ve given you. I’d like those for my glory,
thank you very much.”
 
And the liver. Which was used by diviners to
tell the future. The uncertain future.
How it steals our peace. But God says, “I hold your future. I guide you
with my eye. I have plans for you. You don’t need to know everything. I do and
isn’t that enough, insert name here?” Also, the liver is what filters out
impurities in our life. So we could say, time to burn up the sins and
impurities in our life on the consuming fire, on the burnt sacrifice of Jesus
Christ so that we can live in peace. God knows our sins and impurities will rob
us of our peace. Keep us in turmoil and bondage.
 
And if it was a lamb
or goat, the same thing was required but of the lamb, the fatty tail which is
connected to the backbone. I’d like to
say we need to offer God our fear. Ever heard, “Get
a backbone!” How you ask? Place your fear on the altar.
 
But when we give all
these things back to the One who drew us with kindness into a relationship–a
covenant of peace, who removed our guilt, it’s an offering from us to Him for
all of that! Thank you for your sacrifice, Jesus. Thank you that you are my friend.
You call me friend. You are mindful of me and I offer you everything I have. I
trust you. Lord consume it all on your altar. Every part. For your glory. Burn away what doesn’t belong and refine me. The consuming fire is a place of change. A time to be rearranged. 
 
May it be a sweet
aroma to you, God.
 
Do
you have hard time laying these things down on the altar? And what else would
you say robs you of peace? 
 

Musing on Hebrews 13:20-21 God of Peace and Power!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

The God of peace. I love that the author of Hebrews starts off with this. Why do you think that is? I think because all those works planned for us won’t be easy. I think they’ll come with questions and statements like:

“God, is this really what you want me to do?”

“God, what do you want me to do?” 

“God, I can’t do that.”

“This seems hard. Too hard.”

“I’m confused.”

“I’m scared.”

“This isn’t working out like I thought.”

“How can this be good or pleasing to you? You do see this, right?”

“Am I in your will? I don’t even think I know what your will is!”

“Oh for the love, Jesus, talk to me!!”

I think it’s a right-off-the-bat reminder that the God of peace is working and if he’s our God, then he’s also our peace. No matter what what questions we have or statements we declare.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to blog about this week until my good friend, Melissa Tagg wrote a guest post about Leviticus on Jenny Hale’s blog. So join me Wednesday, don’t be scared!, while we dive into Leviticus and the peace offering and what significance it has on us today. I promise to guide you to some fascinating treasure pulled from what some might consider dry places (including myself once upon a time). 

But for today…

Musing/Meditation Prompt: The God of all peace…are you at peace right now? Why or why not. Think on the amazing power it took to raise our Lord Jesus from the dead! That same power resides in you? Think of that everlasting covenant. You belong to him! Forever. God has marvelous plans for you. Think of occasions when you fulfilled some of those plans. Trust God today with them.

What would you say robs you of peace most quickly? What is one thing you can do today to change that?

Wishing On Willows: Faith Readers Group Review

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Thanks, Katie, for being here all week–although you’re really in Africa. 🙂 This past Monday, the Faith Readers book club got together for delicious vanilla and chocolate swirled cupcakes with chocolate icing and I made the homemade peppermint hot chocolate, which is a fave in Robin’s cafe from the book. You can get the recipe on Katie’s book club page along with discussion questions. We missed several who couldn’t be there and I know they missed us, you did didn’t you? 

We had a short devo from on of our ladies and then we drank the deliciousness and enjoyed the yummy cupcakes while discussing the book. Katie skyped with us about her debut novel, but since she couldn’t be with us this time, she prepared a video for us to watch! How cool is Katie? Yeah. I think she’s that cool too.

So here’s what we said:

“I liked it better than Wildflowers from Winter.”

“I liked Wildflowers better.”

“As a single mom for the whole time, I wanted to tell Robin, ‘Suck it up!'”

“I was emotionally engaged because I have a son and I saw myself in Robin–I say some of

This takes an entire bag of
Peppermint Patties! Uh, delish!

those same things and my son played with those same toys.”

“I loved the first person vignettes. It helped me relate more to Robin.”

“I loved when she tossed her ring in the pond! That’s something I would do. And then regret it later.”

“I think it would be hard to give up a dream you shared with your spouse.”

“God has other plans. They’re always good even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time. I can relate to that.” (So could everyone else.)

“I’ll read more of Katie’s books.” (Everyone agreed on that too)

Out of 5 stars.
Rating: 4


What are you reading this weekend? 

Here’s a sneak peek:
Does a second chance at life and love always involve surrender?


A three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small town Peaks, Iowa,  she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.

                                      
So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a fight.
As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won’t give up easily. His family’s business depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match. Robin’s gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own.
With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of Second Chances. 

Katie Ganshert Contemplates God’s Grace

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Katie Ganshert is back with us today sharing a devotion that touches on one of the themes her heroine, Robin has to contemplate on–one we all do! I hope you’ll join us Friday for our group review of Wishing on Willows! 


When I
contemplate God’s grace, I often think about good things. Forgiveness,
obviously. Restored relationships. Healing and freedom. Sometimes I even equate
God’s grace with finding a spouse or getting a promotion at work or populating
a big house with healthy children or fulfilling a dream.
But what if
that’s only one side of the coin?
What if God’s
grace comes wrapped in deferred dreams? Or broken relationships or scary
prognoses from doctors or unemployment or infertility or any thorn that pierces
our flesh?
As much as that
empty tomb shouts “Grace! Grace!”, let’s not forget that the cross does too.
With those nails and on that tree, grace and suffering are so tightly woven,
the two are indecipherable.
I read the red
words of Jesus—blessed are the poor in
spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for
they shall be comforted (Mt 5:3-4) and I’m reminded of a woman I met in
Africa. A woman, who by America’s standards, had nothing. Abandoned by her
husband, sick with AIDS, six children in a squalid shack and somehow, she
radiated joy. This woman didn’t have to wonder if God was enough, she knew it
in the marrow of her bones.
There is a
special blessing that comes in the midst of hardship. It’s in those moments,
when we fall on our faces with nothing, our dreams dashed, our plans and our
goals no longer, that we cling to Him with a ferocity we don’t find in the
midst of prosperity. God’s presence is magnified in the hard. We don’t just
have an intellectual knowledge about His strength, we experience it. It holds
us together. It keeps us breathing.
And Paul’s
nonsensical words—when I am weak, then I
am strong? They make sense and our definition of grace expands.
Scripture:
The Lord is
close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
~Psalm 34:18
(NIV)
Prayer:
Father God,
would your grace rain down, no matter what season or circumstance we find
ourselves in. Hold us as we cling to You.
Have you found that special blessings come in the midst of hardship?
Does a second chance at life and love always involve surrender?
A
three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price
has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small
town Peaks, Iowa,  she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and
espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work
provides.
                                      
So when
developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café
and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a
fight.
As
stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won’t give up easily. His family’s business
depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders
if he has met his match. Robin’s gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve,
especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates
with his own.
With
polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal
and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender
their plans to the God of Second Chances. 

Would You Rather? With Katie Ganshert

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Hey everyone today we’re playing Would You Rather? with author, Katie Ganshert! Wednesday she’ll be back here with a devotional that ties in with her newest release, Wishing on Willows! And on Friday, the Faith Readers (my book club) will be giving you our group review of the novel. So don’t miss out!


Ready, Katie? Here’s your questions:

Would You Rather spend a day on the
beach or hiking in the woods? Why?
I’d
rather spend a day hiking in the woods. Two reasons. The first, every time I go
to the dermatologist, the doctor makes a point of reminding me how very
fair-skinned I am and prone to skin cancer. The second? Hiking in the woods is
a great idea stimulator and it’s something my husband loves. So we could bond. J
Would You Rather have your first kiss
in a rainstorm or snowstorm? Why?
Rainstorm!
Probably because I’m so tired of the cold weather that the thought of anything
in a snowstorm sounds miserable.
Would You Rather order dinner in or go
out? Why?
That’s
a tough one, because it really depends on my mood. But probably the majority of
the time, it’s go out. No dishes to clean that way and there’s something
intimate about a cozy booth. 
Okay everyone, what about you? Pick one or all of these questions and answer them in the comments!

Does a second chance at life and love always involve surrender?
Buy the book!
A
three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price
has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small
town Peaks, Iowa,  she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and
espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work
provides.

                                      
So when
developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café
and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a
fight.
As
stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won’t give up easily. His family’s business
depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders
if he has met his match. Robin’s gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve,
especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates
with his own.
With
polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal
and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender
their plans to the God of Second Chances. 


Diamond Rings, Surfing, and Heaven in the form of Ice Cream with Sherry Kyle!

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

Today, I’m thrilled to have agent-mate, Sherry Kyle, hanging
out! Sherry is super sweet and I had the privilege of reading her newest book, The Heart Stone–so warming and
wonderful!
Sherry Kyle writes ReConnecting Faith and Fiction, including
books for 8-12 year old girls, as well as novels for women. Sherry is the
recipient of a Gold Mom’s Choice Award for her tween book, The
Christian Girl’s Guide to Style. Abingdon Press released her debut
novel, Delivered with Love, in 2011.The Heart Stone, her
second novel, released April 1st, 2013. Sherry and her husband Douglas have
four children and live by the ocean on California’s central coast. Readers
can connect with Sherry on her website at: www.sherrykyle.com
Okay, Sherry! Let’s chat:
Jessica, thank you so much for having me on your blog!
JP: You are so welcome! Thanks for being here. Tell everyone what
inspired the idea to write The Heart
Stone?
SK: The heart-shaped diamond ring. I thought it would be interesting if
a ring was offered to someone forty years ago, but now is worn by a single
mother to fend off any unwanted advances. This idea intrigued me and propelled
the rest of the story.
JP: I
thought it was intriguing too! Speaking of intriguing, Uncle George was a
missionary to the Philippines. Have you been on a missions trip there? Why did
you choose the Philippines?
SK: No, I’ve never been there. I chose the Philippines
because our adoptive daughter is Filipino and her birthparents were born there,
even though we adopted her from California. I thought it would be a fun tie-in
with our family.
JP: Oh
I love that, Sherry! George shows his niece, Jessica, a fan and shares with her
about the Philippine “fan” language. It reminded me a lot of Victorian “fan
talk.” Is that real or was that something you made up?
SK: The fan language is real. I wanted to include something
unique about the Philippines, and I thought the fan language was fun and
interesting to incorporate into the manuscript.
JP: How
cool! Can we expect to see future novels with any of the minor characters in The Heart Stone as main characters?
SK: I would love to write another story based on a minor
character from The

Heart Stone, but
at this point nothing is scheduled. Feel free to contact Abingdon Press,
however, and let them know! J I’m
currently writing a story set in La Selva Beach, California, about a woman who
discovers something in an old trunk.

JP: Sounds
mysterious! Let’s talk sweets. Ice cream seems to be a favorite of little Jacob
and Jessica (the main character). What is your favorite ice cream treat?
SK: The other day my husband and I went to Marianne’s Ice
Cream, the real shop in the story, and had a single scoop on a sugar cone. I
chose a flavor called Heaven and it’s my new favorite ice cream! It is vanilla
with walnuts, chocolate, peanut butter, and brownie bites. Doesn’t that sound
amazing? It was! I felt like I was living in my story because there was a woman
with her son sitting in the exact spot where Jessica and Jacob sat. It was
surreal.
JP: That
sounds well…like Heaven! Evelyn has many memories of her dates with George as
youngsters. Would you share where you went on your first date with your
husband?
SK: Sure! My husband and I went to church to hear Chuck
Swindoll, and then went out to A& V’s pizza in Fullerton, CA, on September
9th my freshman year in college. It was the first of many fun dates.
JP: I
love that your first date was centered on Jesus! Going to hear Chuck Swindoll! I
read on your website that your husband is a surfer? What about you? Do you
surf?
SK: I tried surfing once in college, but it’s definitely not
my sport. I don’t have the swimming skills and balance my husband has, and I’m
not fond of salt water. Plus, the water is chilly where we live. Brrr! I’ll
leave the surfing to him!
JP: And also sharks. Just sayin.
*Photos of beach and ice cream came from morgue file
Here’s a sneak peek at The Heart Stone:
When
the biological father of Jessica MacAllister’s son decides to break

their
custody agreement, Jessica and her son visit her Uncle George for advice and
refuge…

Following a year of grief, Evelyn Sweeney is finally ready to move on.
Pondering her new path in life, her mind drifts to her first love, George
MacAllister…

When the lives of these two women cross, they discover that one heart-shaped
ring binds their stories together. But will the results be a rekindled faith
and new hope, or will it lead them both back into the darkness they’ve fought
for so long?

In Justice For All

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

I know, I don’t normally post on Thursdays but I finished a novel and you need to know about it. Like today.

I’m a fan of Robin Caroll. I am. She stood two feet from me at registration for the ACFW, looked right in my face and I choked. I said nothing. I might have given her a goofy grin. Not sure. 

I enjoy her books. I love her characters and I especially loved her hero and heroine in Injustice For All the first book in her Justice Seekers series. I’ve read the first two backwards, but it didn’t really effect anything. I prefer to read a series in order, personal choice, but you don’t have to. I’m itching to get my hands on her newest, Strand of Deception!

A heroine running for her life to stay alive, an FBI agent trying to prove himself by solving a cold case that involves her. That makes for lots of high impact action, swooning romantic scenes and lots of witty and fun dialogue!

Her characters aren’t just well-crafted, they’re real. I could relate to several of them in different areas of my own life. 

The spiritual threads are relatable (is that a word?)–even if you aren’t running from bad guys who can crush you like a cigarette. 

 I know what to expect when I pick up a novel written by Caroll. Southern heat and phrases, twists and turns, and a lovely romance with plenty of tension all laced with a journey of faith or to find faith.

*Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions are mine and honest!

Visit Robin Caroll at her
website! 
facebook page!

Here’s a sneak peek:
A federal judge lies bleeding
on his office floor, betrayed by a most unlikely source—people who helped him
bring criminals to justice. Now, why would someone working for the FBI need to
disappear after witnessing this crime?

When Remington Wyatt sees her godfather’s murder, she
recognizes the killers and knows it’s only a matter of time before they come to
silence her. She must do the only thing possible to stay alive . . . run.

FBI agent Rafe Baxter is serious about his career, and
solving a cold case involving a federal judge’s death puts him in line for the
promotion he so desires. But the case leads him to the small town of Hopewell,
Louisiana, where some secrets seem inextricably hidden deep within the bayou.

Injustice for All explores what
happens when everything a person believes in is utterly destroyed. Who can you
trust?


If you had to run for your life and settle down in a new town, what you change your name to and where would you settle?

If You Keep On Believing…

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

 

 
“Then they said to one another, “Look, this dreamer is coming!” Genesis 37:19
 
These are the words Joseph’s brothers said as they saw him coming toward them in a field. Words said in a snide way, dripping with contempt and envy.
 
Joseph made a mistake sharing his seemingly impossible i.e. God sized dreams with his brothers. Not everyone will celebrate our big dreams and there is a lesson to be learned in that.
 
But I love the statement, even if it came from bitter hearts.
 
Look! This dreamer is coming!
 
I want to be known as a dreamer. I want to always dream and dream big.
 
I just finished one of the most incredible books by Mark Batterson–The 

Purchase your copy
HERE!

Circle Maker. I’ve been begging friends and family to purchase and read it.

 
Batterson says, “There is nothing God loves more than keeping promises, answering prayers, performing miracles, and fulfilling dreams. That is who He is. That is what He does. And the bigger the circle we draw, the better, because God gets more glory.”
 
This morning I was praying scripture over my circles, my big dreams and a song popped into my head. Cinderella sang it.
 

“A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you’re fast asleep…”  In the context of God planting dreams within us, they aren’t wishes, but promises. If we don’t believe–it truly is a wish our heart makes. A wish lacks faith.
 
But dreams do come from our heart. (Not all are God-given and it’s important for us to daily spend time with Him so we can let Him establish which ones are and are not.)
 
I do get what Cinderella is singing about. And on some level I agree with her.
 
 Our hearts dream and sometimes it happens in sleep–when the busyness of the day and what we consider hopeless reality consumes our thoughts. Sometimes it’s in that quiet place of sleep or nodding off or when we first wake…God can whisper endless possibilities into our hearts.
 
It kindles and burns.
 
It causes us, like Cinderella, to put one foot in front of the other. To look out with longing and dream of what could be. Something much bigger than us.
 
 

The clock–a killjoy–ticks, robbing her of her dreams. I don’t think time itself robs us of our dreams (God uses time to fulfill our dreams), but I think it represents day to day activities and all the troubles that tick by that hinder us from dreaming.

 
“In dreams you will lose your heartache, whatever you wish for you keep…”
 
If they’re God-given dreams it’s true! God never changes His mind about us. He never revokes our calling and purposes. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29
 
“Have faith in your dreams and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through, No matter how your heart is grieving if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.” Rainbows are a sign of promise!
 
And our hearts do grieve us, don’t they? “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.”(Proverbs 13:12) That blasted Grandfather clock ticking!
 
The key: Have faith. Believe. The grandest dreams, the impossible, the scariest in a sense, dreams do come true.
 
Look at Cinderella. She wanted out from under the bondage she lived in,

 

enslaved to people who used and abused her. She wanted to feel beautiful, cherished, loved. She was made to be more than a slave. Like Joseph. Thrown into circumstances he couldn’t control.

 
She had faith. She kept dreaming even when “reality” told her it was impossible. When her heart was grieved. When the killjoy clock ticked and forced her into a day she would not have normally chosen for herself.
 
And things began to click into place. Unexpectedly. A ball. Resources and people who were put in her path to help her succeed. When God has a plan for you, and He does, He will go far beyond your expectations. You won’t have a simple carriage, you’ll have the best carriage–made from the impossible! A pumpkin! Miracles happen.
 
You won’t have a nice dress. You’ll have the best dress.
 
It won’t come without some troubles, stumbles, and opposition along the way.
 
But in the end…
 
If you keep on believing. The dreams, that you prayed will come true.
 

 

How big have you been praying? Has fear been holding you back? How can you change that today?