Aug. 2, 2010
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When a dream is broken
From the Pulpit Linda and I did all the right things when we seeded the back yard. We worked in fertilizer and other nutrients. We seeded the yard and worked it into the soil, covered the seed with wheat straw, and watered generously. For about six weeks we had beautiful green grass. But this heat we've been having finally did a number on my back yard. While we were away on vacation for a few days, and unable to water the grass, my back yard grass died. Today my back yard is covered with crab grass and lots of bare spots. Have you ever had a dream that turned sour? Perhaps you were in your dream job, but one day the company informed you that you would be laid off. Maybe you were in a dream marriage, but the marriage turned sour. Have you ever been a member of a dream church when conflict erupted and split the church? You may have had a stirring in your heart to start your own business, to get another degree, to follow God's call to be a missionary, or to purchase a larger home. But now years have passed and your dream hasn't come true. I know many parents who had great dreams for their kids, but their children's bad choices wrecked those dreams. Possibly someone who is reading these words dreamed of long and fulfilling years with your spouse, but your spouse's unexpected death destroyed that dream. If you've ever had a dream destroyed, you are not alone. All of us have had our fair share of broken dreams. What are we to do when life destroys our dreams? May I suggest some positive steps to take? First, acknowledge that ups and downs are a normal part of life. Sometimes you feel you are on a mountaintop and life could not be any better. But at other times you find yourself in a valley searching for the good times you once had. That's life, and we all have to learn to push through the hard times, the disappointments, and the broken dreams. Second, use a broken dream as an opportunity to develop yourself. When our dreams have not been fulfilled, our greatest temptation is to sit back, coast, and give less than our best. We need to fight that urge. Instead, learn a new skill, get your personal finances in order, develop a personal reading program, take a course, make better grades, keep on growing. Third, take time to evaluate. Why was my dream shattered? What can I learn from this time of disappointment in my life? What do I want to see happen in the days ahead? What should be my next steps? Four, fight the urge to blame and to become bitter. When a dream has been shattered we can blame God, blame our self, blame our circumstances, or blame someone else. Nothing productive, however, comes from playing the blame game. Feelings of bitterness and resentment are toxic. Fifth, anticipate what God can do. Find a promise from God in the Bible that applies to your dream situation, and believe that promise. Draw strength from God's presence in your life to help you move forward. Trust God's ability to take your broken dream and to work for good in your life. Gary Hardin is pastor of Enon Grove Baptist Church in Cedar Bluff. He and his wife, Linda, live in Centre. Comments can be sent to: garyhardin@tds.net. |