Beware of the dream, Writer.
At the beginning of this writing journey, I remember sitting around with my aspiring author friends and sharing our "dream publisher", our "dream contest win", our "dream career". Like when we were in high school crushing on the cutest guy, we'd crush on the possibilities for our stories. Kinda thrilling, actually. Declaring our very specific "dream" stepping stones would stir up anticipation for a dream-come-true, yet solidify a very stubborn expectation that the dream could only look a certain way.
The thing is, this narrow focus on a specific something (or someone) distracted me from my unique path. I ignored places that offered potential growth, and I grew weary of the dead ends that cropped up because they looked different than what I expected. But, God's timing has been ever present, and I could only appreciate it once I finally surrendered the idolized "onlys" in my head.
Remember, Writer, that the dream you create in your mind is not necessarily the dream God has already laid out for you. Take each step as it comes and don't ignore opportunity because it's not what you declared for yourself.
The dream is much more thrilling when I am expectant for the next step and not stepping into self-prescribed expectations and crushing on a pipe dream that's just as likely to burst as it is to come true.
Angie Dicken- Angie Dicken credits her love of story to reading British literature during life as a military kid in England. Now living in the U.S. heartland, she's a member of ACFW, sharing about author life with her fellow Alley Cats on The Writer's Alley blog and Facebook page. Besides writing, she is a busy mom of four and works in Adult Ministry. Angie enjoys eclectic new restaurants, authentic conversation with friends, and date nights with her Texas Aggie husband.
Visit Angie online at angiedicken.com
At the beginning of this writing journey, I remember sitting around with my aspiring author friends and sharing our "dream publisher", our "dream contest win", our "dream career". Like when we were in high school crushing on the cutest guy, we'd crush on the possibilities for our stories. Kinda thrilling, actually. Declaring our very specific "dream" stepping stones would stir up anticipation for a dream-come-true, yet solidify a very stubborn expectation that the dream could only look a certain way.
The thing is, this narrow focus on a specific something (or someone) distracted me from my unique path. I ignored places that offered potential growth, and I grew weary of the dead ends that cropped up because they looked different than what I expected. But, God's timing has been ever present, and I could only appreciate it once I finally surrendered the idolized "onlys" in my head.
Remember, Writer, that the dream you create in your mind is not necessarily the dream God has already laid out for you. Take each step as it comes and don't ignore opportunity because it's not what you declared for yourself.
The dream is much more thrilling when I am expectant for the next step and not stepping into self-prescribed expectations and crushing on a pipe dream that's just as likely to burst as it is to come true.
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Visit Angie online at angiedicken.com
2 comments:
Hey Ange, this is so true and so good for Holy Week. It's okay to have "dreams," but we have to be flexible, and so often (more often than not) God has something better for us. Good to remember.
Kathy Bailey
That's so true! Thank you, Kathy! Hope you have a blessed Easter!
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