“The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” ~ Unknown
“This is an invitation to come alive and live the life you were designed to live. And when you do, you can’t help but encounter the wonder of God—those moments of spiritual awakening that make you long to know God more.”
After I wrote the paragraph above, I felt a twinge cold piercing stab of fear. Did I really mean that, Lord? What have I committed myself to? Oh yeah, I handed my heart and will over to the One and Almighty God, the Creator and Protector of the Universe. That is not bad company to travel with….
Choosing a God-sized dream = No Regrets.
There’s a little fable about a Mr. Jones who dies and goes to heaven. Peter is waiting at the gates to give him a tour.
Amid the splendor of golden streets, beautiful mansions, and choirs of angels that Peter shows him, Mr. Jones notices and odd-looking building. He thinks it looks like an enormous warehouse – it has no windows and only one door. But when he asks to see inside, Peter hesitates. “You really don’t want to see what’s in there,” he tells the new arrival.
Why would there be any secrets in heaven? Jones wonders. What incredible surprise could be waiting for me in there? When the official tour is over he’s still wondering, so he asks again to see inside the structure. Finally Peter relents.
When the apostle opens the door, Mr. Jones almost knocks him over in the haste to enter. It turns out that the enormous building is filled with row after row of shelves, floor to ceiling, each stacked neatly with white boxes tied in red ribbons. “These boxes all have names on them,” Mr. Jones muses aloud. Then turning to Peter he asks, “Do I have one?” “Yes you do.”
Peter tries to guide Mr. Jones back outside. “Frankly,” Peter says, “if I were you… . ”
But Mr. Jones is already dashing toward the “J” aisle to find his box. Peter follows, shaking his head. He catches up with Mr. Jones just as he is slipping the red ribbon off his box and popping the lid.
Looking inside, Jones has a moment of instant recognition, and he lets out a deep sigh like the ones Peter has heard so may times before. Because there in Mr. Jones’s white box are all the blessings that God wanted to give to him while he was on earth… but Mr. Jones had never asked.”
Love your open and seeking heart, Jean. Praying with you this evening!
You know Jean, I sometimes feel like we limit our reach in life by looking through our worldly eyes, instead of trying to gaze through His at the infinite possibilities given us by Our Heavenly Father. What a wonderful freedom to dream a “God Sized” dream, and have the opportunity to see His hand at work…
Thank you for sharing this!
Have a Blessed Day!
How lovely to be called beautiful dreamer! you made my day! Please keep praying: I have hints of where He is leading but sense more to come.
Love the question you gave me about what makes you angry. I heard once be aware of what brings tears to your eyes – the same sort of sign.
Thanks for your love, prayers and helpful words, Cathy
Your words often speak to my heart too Clella. Thank you
You know how it is, Katharine, we write these posts never sure if they will appeal to others or not. This one has drawn some good comments. I guess open and honest writing is the way to go.
Oh Beautiful Dreamer – I lifted up a prayer for God to show you any specific dreams he has for you! But it sounds like you already choose to live this great adventure with a heart and eyes that are wide open to him, and living that way is beautiful!
One time, I was asked this question, and I’ve always remembered it. They said, ‘when you look around the world, what makes you angry?’ – You know that righteous anger – ‘what breaks your heart?’ – because perhaps that is where God is leading you to be light and hope and change in this world. Just something to think about as you consider your God-sized Dream.
Thanks for stopping by Christina. I know I planned my year goals out a few weeks ago and though they are still there I have let them go, listening to what God has deeply planted within me that is beyond my control and imagination. I am finding too much of my dreams are ego driven though. need to work through that yet…
Your post really got me thinking there. Oftentimes we do limit ourselves to only me-sized, more “possible” dreams instead of God-sized ones. It struck a chord in me when you mentioned about things that “could have, might have, should have” and it’s a good thing to remember when you’re deciding things. Thanks for the mega-dose of inspiration!