The Gift of Experience: Hope Prevails

Dreams of the Heart

"If you want to have a life that is worth living, a life that expresses your deepest feelings and emotions and cares and dreams, you have to fight for it." -Alice Walker

I heard a story of hope about about a stubborn old mule. One day he was grazing in a lush pasture. He was enjoying the scrumptious vegetation so much that he didn't notice the pit before him. He fell blindly into the deep pit and was stuck there for quite some time. Finally, one of the farmer's hands found the mule and ran quickly to tell the farmer of the tragedy. The men realized there was no way to get him out so they decided to bury him. They began to shovel dirt on top of him to the dismay of the mule. Each time they threw in a shovel full of dirt, the mule shook it off his back and stomped on it. Eventually, he was level enough with the ground to walk right out!
The moral of the story? When life throws you dirt, shake it off!!



I was thinking today about hope. Sometimes, when we are buried in our daily routines with all the things that monopolize our time, we may forget about the dreams of our hearts. It's important to remember the hopes that once drove us. Believing that good things will happen puts pep in the step and a sparkle in the eye.

We may have fulfilled some of our dreams when we got married, had children, and/or bought a home, but what is in your heart that you have yet to bring to fruition?

For some here at WDC, it may be to publish that novel. It may be that running in a marathon will exhilarate and challenge you physically. Perhaps you would like to serve in some manner at your church. In order for our dreams to come to pass we must step out and try.

Alice Walker also said, "Women have to summon up courage to fulfill dormant dreams." I believe that is true for men as well.

Dreams often stem from our natural gifts and talents. When our dreams correlate with our talents, we are most certainly in for a win-win conclusion. There may (probably will) be some setbacks, but we must press on toward the purpose for which we were prepared.

God Bless You as you follow your dreams. May you always first seek His will.