Most of the dreams that carried me forward and burned brightly in young adulthood have lost their luster years ago.
My twenty-something self would be mortified at the woman I’ve become.
I can imagine her indignant voice, hand on hip, eyes wide:
“What? No gym membership?”
“What is this shipwreck you’ve made of our resume?”
But then, for most of us, there is a dream or two that sticks around, still cherished and yet unfulfilled. It reminds us of its presence with a subtle pressure, like a pebble in the shoe.
Uprooting Bitterness and Planting Hope
Dreams with a long shelf life can light a spark in middle age, or… they can become the seedbed for bitterness and regret. Sarah (Old Testament wife of Abraham and matriarch of the Hebrews 11 “faith chapter”) knew well the taste of disappointment and frustrated dreams. Over and over she heard about The Promise, a major topic of Abraham’s heart-to-heart talks with God:
“The Father of a Great Nation,” God had promised.
“Children as innumerable as the stars in the sky,”
God had spoken, and Sarah had worked hard to believe.
“If Abraham’s the father, that makes me the mother. Doesn’t it? Couldn’t we get started with just one…?”
As the years wore down Sarah’s hope and her joints, she may have found remedies to ease arthritis, but nothing took the edge off yearning.
Then one day when Sarah was 90 years old, the promise came once again. Picture an arid landscape. Abraham, now a very old man, is resting in the doorway of his tent to escape the heat of the day. Three men approach, and the gracious old gent hops up to show lavish hospitality, Middle-Eastern style. (Genesis 18:1-16)
Is it possible that Abraham and Sarah recognized one of their visitors as the angel of the Lord? This pre-incarnate embodiment of God the Son carried news that made Sarah’s heart skip a beat as she listened through the tent wall:
“Abraham, when I see you again, your wife, Sarah, will have a son.”
Twenty-four years had passed since this promise was first spoken out loud, and for the first time, Sarah was hearing that her own DNA was also important to its fulfillment. And suddenly there was a time frame on the table! This was all too much for her heart to absorb, and the text goes on to record Sarah’s response there, in the privacy of her tent: She laughed.
Believing Over the Long Haul
And may I ask, tenderly:
How long have you been waiting for your dream to materialize?
While others have moved forward into solid futures that look crazily like the one you’ve imagined, you feel as if, somehow, you’ve been left standing still.
Tired, faith stretched thin, the idea that anything good could happen, that blessing could wash up on your personal shore…?
Do you feel a cynical chuckle coming on?
Time-bound and short-sighted, we need a sinewy faith to stave off bitterness when hope has been bleeding out for years.
Together, let’s join Sarah in pressing an ear against the tent wall to hear God’s words of choosing and commission.
Your DNA is needed in this family of God. Press hard against the Tent Wall of Scripture and hear God’s voice today saying that His ultimate plan is for fruitfulness and joy. Soak in the record of prophecy fulfilled, the promises kept, the hand of God at work in stunning intervention, and then read in Psalm 126 about the laughter of dreams fulfilled that follows the tears of sowing seed and long waiting.
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are GLAD!” (Psalm 126:3)
Can we trust the God who filled Sarah’s empty womb to fill our empty hearts? He longs to come to your tent, to lock eyes, and to share a meal with you. Listen carefully, and let the smile spread slowly over your incredulous face, for the truth is that He brings good news—and it’s for you.
Holding you in the light,
Your DNA is needed in the family of God. Hear His voice saying that His ultimate plan is for fruitfulness and joy. Soak in the record of prophecy fulfilled and stunning intervention. God brings good news—and it’s for you
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Living Our Days 
Michele, This post is well-done. “Press hard against the Tent Wall of Scripture and hear God’s voice today saying that His ultimate plan is for fruitfulness and joy.” This year my “word” is more than one. God gave me this, “Tethered to Joy”. So I have spent the year pondering what it means to be tethered to joy. He is giving me clarity as the year marches on and I can share more when we meet. 🥰 But this phrase is another step forward on this journey to joy everlasting. Thank you! Grateful for the way God uses you to expound deep truths that bring encouragement to so many, including me.
Blessings,
Debi
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Tethered to Joy is certainly an intriguing framework for your year. I look forward to hearing more! (Soon!)
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Michele, great post. Sometimes God’s answer is different than we imagine, but we can trust Him with our desires. I think of David wanting to build the temple. God said, your son, not you will build it. It was still David’s DNA. And David did all you could to help Solomon be ready.
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What a great observation! Yes, we have to trust God when the answer is no. Sometimes it’s just no, for now…
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I think I needed this reminder today, although I didn’t realize until I read it! God fulfilled my childhood dream to be a teacher even though I didn’t finish my Education degree – I had a 20+ year “career” homeschooling my children and tutoring many others. But now I’m wondering what my purpose is, because just going through my weekly routine of work and not much else doesn’t feel like I’m ‘livin’ the dream’ any more. I hope God still has something meaningful for me, but I need to be faithful in the few things.
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You are most definitely on the right track with this last sentence. As we are “faithful in the few things” we live our way into the NEXT thing. I hope you will let me know when it becomes clear to you!
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Yeah, it could be easy to lapse into bitterness mode if we focus on all the scenarios that have left us disappointed. You’re making me think of that phrase, ‘a bitter root yields bitter fruit.’ As we age, we don’t want our legacy to disintegrate. May God give us fresh re-fillings of the fruit of His Spirit day in and out as we lean into Him and His Word.
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Absolutely—we have really keep in close contact with the Source!
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This reminds me of the C. S. Lewis quote which says, “You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.” Sometimes we have to wait for His timing, but He’ll still work through as as long as we’re alive–even after in may cases.
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That’s a great quote! Perfect timing! Thanks for sharing it!
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Thank you for this, Michele. I don’t know if it’s my age or season of life or what, but “long haul” seems to be describing a lot of life for me right now. I want nothing more than to have faith for the long haul.
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Yes, we hold on to what we know is true because it has carried us well so far. The main thing is not to lose sight of our purpose and our identity in Christ.
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I have now read this post several times through. Funny to realize, I am not exactly sure I ever had a “dream.” I think life just sort of unfolded for me even when I was unaware. Marriage, my children, challenges, teaching Bible Study, becoming a Mimi, etc. So by the time I finished pondering your thoughts, I found myself praying for the Lord to continue to unfold my life as He wills for I truly have no idea what the remainder of my days would have in store for me.
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I’m grateful to have you reading once, so thank you for giving the post so much consideration. I am certain that you have come to just the right conclusion, Joanne, and your understanding of the ways of God is an example for me.
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