Dreams

"When your heart is intent on living your dream, you will gladly let go of everything that is unlike the dream in order to manifest your vision."  Alan Cohen


Cohen tells the story of being deeply moved by a violinist who played a Stradivarius.  In order for her to afford to buy it she sold her house!  Here is some music played on a Stradivarius violin you can listen to while you read the rest of my post:  "The Antonius" played by Eric Grossman

Cohen said, "The breadth of passion, joy, and beauty she brought into the world through playing that violin far exceeded any gifts she might have offered by inviting friends to her house for tea."  His story made me think of my dream to be a mother and what I let go of to fulfill it.  For me it meant letting go of having a career because I knew I didn't want to let someone else raise my children while I was at work.  It meant not going on fancy vacations because we were saving money for a downpayment on a house so our children would have a yard to play in.  It meant giving up my two-seater sports car!  But this is what I got instead:

My first born (that's my sports car in the background we had to sell soon afterwards)

My second born (I gave up sleep for him)

My third born (I gave up my figure for him)

My three sons are like my Stradivarius.  None of the things I gave up felt like sacrifices to me.  Everything that was "unlike my dream" fell to the side because my "heart was intent on living my dream." 


Do you have a dream that feels as though you're not any closer to achieving than when you first dreamed it?  First, check that your heart's desire is in line with God's desire for you.  While that may not always be clear, you can be certain He'll make it clear if your heart is obedient to desiring to do His Will.  If we stand before Him insistent that what we want has to be right, we will not see the clear signs that He has something else for us.  Then you must let anything that doesn't help fulfill your dream fall to the side.  In other words, you can't have (keep) your cake and eat it too!


The interesting thing to me is that now that our sons are grown and on their own, the things I gave up to have them are coming into my life once again.  We have another 2-seater sports car, the time and money to travel if we wish, and if my new dream to become a published author comes true, then I'll have that career I never thought I would have.  The only thing I may never regain, however, is a good night's sleep....something about growing older it seems....


Father, thank You for giving me the desires of my heart.  May I handle them with care.


Link to scripture:  Psalm 37:4

Here is more information on the Stradivarius violin:  Stradivarius Violin