Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Dream Again!!

 In June 2010, my husband and I went back to the city where all our dreams as a married couple had begun. This city is also our birthplace, along with five of our six children.  This trip had many purposes... one was to celebrate 30 years of marriage and the other was to hear God's voice.  As we drove through the streets filled with past memories, we recalled where God had taken us.  As we finished up the weekend of memories, while shedding tears over disappointments where life hadn't taken all the turns we had hoped, and rejoicing over unexpected turns that brought complete joy, we started to drive back home.   We began to release the past dreams that had not occurred and we stopped, dried our tears, and cried out to God to manifest His dreams in our lives.  We rounded the curve on a six-lane road when this sign screamed at us from the field... it appeared as we finished our plea to God. Where old dreams were buried, new dreams must take their place.

I started screaming, "turn around, turn around...I have to get a picture!"  As we turned around and stopped to take this picture, I was laughing at the "coolness" of our God.

Months have passed since the billboard sign.  We have released old dreams but haven't heard a new direction.  As I entered 2011 and my 50th year....well, you guessed it, God is starting to rebuild His dream in my life.  Every book I pick up from interior decorating to my devotionals has been about dreaming.  The confirmation that something new is coming is just screaming at me.  New wine can not be put in an old wine skin.



Do I know what it is yet? No.  I just know that the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy.  I think he begins with bringing hopelessness into our life through circumstances.  If he convinces us that we are out of the game, then the Lord can't use us.


So my first seed to go into my new garden of life is a dream.  I am reading all I can on this restoration of a dream for my life.
 Allowing new vision into our lives can only come by first allowing ourselves to dream again.




    Quote from Fresh-Brewed Life (a book I read over 10 years ago and I am re-reading)
It is tempting to sleepwalk through life.  To tell half-truths, listen half-way, be half-asleep,
drive with half attention...Wake up! We need you as an active and awake woman,
listening and contributing.  Wake up your creative genius and let it out into the world.
Wake up your power and use it wisely. Wake up to your pain and investigate it.
Wake up the dull old parts that are hiding from the light.  Wake up to love
and let it flood through you.



There are many reasons you need a new dream, maybe there has been a death of a dream, completion of a dream, or a stolen dream...then join me in the City of Dreams. God has some work for us to do and He isn't finished yet.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works with us. Eph. 3:20

32 Joining in with more words:

Vickie said...

Such a great post, Janette! I think alot of us are at a crossroads in our lives at this age. I know my husband and I are, too. I think I shall look for this book - it looks good, and I believe that it might do both of us some good. We are in that sandwich time of our lives between aging and ill parents and the empty-nest (well, almost) with 2 1/2 kids gone. And we're left to wonder - what do we do now? We're in limbo and we're praying and waiting on God to show us the next step in our lives. We know what WE want, but we don't know yet what God wants. My hubby is facing a job change situation soon, and it's scary out there when you've had the same job for 30 years! Seems like everything happens all at once! Thanks for putting this book out there - I'm gonna check it out! I need all the help I can get, too!

Vickie said...

Oh, yes, I forgot to mention - LOVE the billboard sign - God DOES have a sense of humor, doesn't He!

Sue said...

Wonderful inspiring post Janette, we dreamers are in good company, I remember Joseph and how he was a dreamer and had ridicule thrown at him, but who had the last word. I so related to this post, and am so thankful for the renewed hope given to me by God through you. We too are standing still and waiting on God to fulfill the dreams He has given to us.
Hugs,
Sue

Sandy said...

Oh, thanks for such an inspiring
word, Janette. I needed it. Yes,
our God is so cool in every way!
His sense of humor, letting us
know everything will be ok is
always right on time. He isn't
worried about anything and has
it all under control.
"Wake up to love and let it flow
through you." I love that!
Good, good word today!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

I love dreams! I love goals! And I love your heart that expresses all of it even while some of them haven't happened ... that is HOPE, and that is exactly what God wants for us and gives to us, just like He gave you guys the sign on the road that day... awesome!! :)
I can't wait for your next chapters of life to 'unfold'!

Debbie said...

Oh Janette this post was inspiring and encouraging and I needed it so. I do think it is being the age many of us are, with the child rearing days behind us (not for you of course) and dealing with sick and elderly parents and wondering and hoping and dreaming of what we are to be doing now. I LOVE that God lined everything up that you finished that trip with the billboard. AWESOME....Have a wonderful day. HUGS

Unknown said...

Oh I loved the picture of the sign! So neat-I love it when God does things like that-little reminders to me that He is still in control of it all even when I think it has gone all wrong from what I thought was the plan.
Can't wait to see what He has planned next for you dear friend and I am praying that you are blessed beyond with whatever and where ever He directs you with blessing far beyond would you could have "dreamed" of.
Hugs
Jill

Cascia Talbert said...

That is beautiful, Janette! I bet you had a wonderful time. Cool Billboard.

Susannah said...

I love it when God does that.... shouts out truth when we've poured out our heart in prayer. Your billboard is fantastic. And perfect for "I have a dream" MLK week.

Farm Girl said...

A very good thing to think about. I am glad that you are dreaming again. I do hope the decade of your 50s will be one of renewal and celebration and of dreaming of the possibilities that God will continue to do in you and for you.

I have so far have enjoyed the two years of my 50 decade very much, because God has led me to a land I did not know.
I am glad for all of the things I thought that were gone that He has restored. So if there was a verse I would claim for me it would be that my 50s would be the years that
God restores to me all the years that the locust have eaten. Because one thing is true, no matter what He is still the God of impossibilities. The God who does great things. Who does not change.
Blessings
Janette,

Karen said...

What a great post Janette! I got goosebumps when you told the story about when you saw that sign. God is amazing and his timing is always perfect!

I'll be praying that God would reveal the dream he has in store for you . In the meantime you can know that even now he is preparing you and equipping you for that dream.

Blessings!

Rebecca said...

How well you explained and expressed your heart, Janette. Many of us stand with you at the "crossroads". I am learning that faithfulness in the present is the "secret" of new opportunities in the future. It's so easy for me to overlook what is "right under my nose" while longing for something more obvious and "significant" to do.....

I join my prayers with yours for your dream to take shape and doors to open for the glory of God and His eternal purposes.

BECKY said...

How fun and exciting! This is the great adventure isn't it...this Christian life we live??? I love what Rebecca commented! As we live for Him He sows the seeds of our dreams!!! How delightful!! Can't wait to see where your home in Dream City is!! He fulfilled one of my lifelong dreams with the opening of my shop! OH JOY!! The sign is sooo awesome....He is one amazing God!!

Have a joyful evening,
Becky

Karen said...

Just sharing the heart!
It shines with HIM!

Theresa said...

As usual, another great post Janette. I am dreaming along with you!

Lorie said...

I'm in! I want to go to Dream City too.

As you know, I am also waiting for my new dreams to be revealed.

This is all so exciting!

Stacy@hiswaynotmine said...

We serve an awesome God. "Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know!" Jeremiah 33:3 Looking with excitement and anticipation at those "great and mighty" things that God has for you and your family.

That God story is so inspiring. I love the billboard, what He did in your hearts leading up to it and what He continues to put before you. He is so faithful.

Keep dreaming, sweet friend, letting His dreams for you become reality. :)

Thanks for encouraging my heart today.

Much love,
Stacy

Debi said...

Oh, I LOVE your new look!! I've been gone for way too long. I've missed stopping by ... always so refreshing.
Very, very cute!! Keep it up. Dreamin' with 'ya.

Anonymous said...

I love the billboard! The verse you closed your post with is one of my favorites too. We seem to be in the same spot as you and your husband. Patience is hard sometimes, but I know God is working behind the scenes on something grander than we can imagine! God bless.

Pamela said...

I need to dig out my Fresh Brewed Life and read it again. Crossroads seems to be a theme for me...which way to go--or more correctly, which way god wants me to go. I'm Dreaming--and waiting.

Ginny Marie said...

You are so inspiring, Janette! Every time I read your blog, I come away with Something Good!

A multi-dimensional life said...

I love it...and the billboards are such a great image. There is a quote from "Waking the Dead" (you may already know this book) by John Eldredge which says, "But for most of us, life seems more like driving along with a dirty windshield, and then turning into the sun. I can sort of make out the shapes ahead, and I think the light is green." We are at war from the day we are born. The enemy wants to rob us of Life...any chance of the "sacred romance" -(another Eldredge book all about being wooed by God in our hearts search for life). Your quote from "Freshed brewed life" reminded me of these books.

I'll definitely read it...and if you haven't read these I mentioned, I believe you will love them if you do.

Sweet Dreams :) xo
Lorraine

Finding Joy said...

What a wonderful post and I do love that sign. My life has turned out quite different to my dreams as a teenager - some not good, others very good - it shows that one can not plan the future, if we could we would skip all the yucky bits!!! No idea what might happen next, I will leave that in Gods hands - He is likely to surprise me for sure.

myletterstoemily said...

i pray for your dreams to increase and His
favor, too! what an amazing "sign" of HIs
confirmation.

this may be my favorite post of all, because
i have such a resounding 'amen' in my
spirit!

also, don't laugh, but i frequently have
interpretation for dreams. my kids, husband,
and friends are always telling me theirs.

Debbie said...

LOVE THIS!!

For some reason, I didn't see this post on my blogger homepage. This is not the first blog that I've missed this week, either. I'm seriously miffed.

Anyway, I love this. You have no idea how much I needed to read it. I'm writing down the names of both of those books to see if I can find them.

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Oh, Janette, what a beautiful entry! And, I so love that sign! I don't think any of us want to wake up one day and think that life just passed us by. Turning 50 is a big event for sure, but life just gets sweeter with each passing year and you are better prepared to follow your dreams than ever before.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Blessings!

Debbie said...

Hi Janette,
I am visiting your blog through a link on Lorie's - 'Midlife House Wife' blog.

I really enjoyed this post - I can relate.

I am looking forward to visiting again. I am now one of your followers.

Debbie

Sharon said...

Such great words, Janette. How I needed to hear this. It takes courage to have a dream - and that is why the enemy fights against it so much. Look how he stole Eden.

God used many...ahem..."older" people in the Bible. So, at almost 57, I'm choosing to believe that as long as I wake up each morning, God still has work for me to do.

And it's NEW work - fashioned for JUST this time in my life.

Keep dreaming, Janette - I will too.

GOD BLESS!

Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun said...

I have so enjoyed my visit catching up here and am invigorated to go work more on my own dreams right now. I pray this new decade of your life leads you down many happy and fulfilling paths! I can't wait to see your dreams blossom!
xoxo
Leslie

Debbie Petras said...

Janette, thank you for this amazing post. How timely it is for me! I love that God spoke to you in such an amazing way; through a billboard sign. How cool is that? So glad you were paying attention.

I had dreams too. Right now, I've been focusing on surviving. And I've tried to rest in the Lord as I navigate the path ahead. But there was something in your words that hit my heart. I haven't been dreaming about the future. I guess I am afraid to do so.

You have stirred something in my soul Janette. How wonderful that the Lord used you to do that too.

Love you and thank you,
Debbie

lioneagle said...

Hi Janette -

Thank you

I enjoyed this especially when our Lord showed you and your husband the dream sign!

myletterstoemily said...

hi janette!

everyone loves your bubbles post at my place.
thank you again for your friendship and deposit
into my life!

love,
lea

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