Gleaming

Dreams - those effervescent and gleaming hopes that give our futures meaning and purpose.  They must be both as fixed and unmoving as the solid rock, yet as flexible and adaptable as the gracious hostess who has the ultimate goal, not of making a picture perfect evening, but making a difference in the lives of those she ministers to.

Dreams are funny like that.  Sometimes I feel my spine stiffen with the age-old stubbornness of my Scottish ancestors when I see my dreams seemingly threatened, watch my plans dissolve into a larger picture that I cannot control.

There is a time to hold on, to grit your teeth and work long into the night to keep your dreams alive.  But it takes the wisdom to adapt, to accept, and to trust, too - to have the faith to both fight and follow.

Each of us has a road to walk.  A chart to map, and a future full of dreams and plans gleaming.

Yet in it all, the one thing that makes life sparkle for me is the knowledge that my future is in the safekeeping of the One I trust above all else in the universe.

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"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  

When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.  Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.  

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.  For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.  

And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.  Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.  When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.  

Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.  When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.  

Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.  Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.   I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

  

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

--Psalms 27