@bethvogt
My son-in-love David was offered his dream job last weekend – the opportunity he’s wanted since he stepped into his chosen career field seven years ago.
He wasn’t floating his resume around, looking for a new job. Now wouldn’t be the time to do that, not when he and my daughter, Amy, have a newborn daughter.
Saying yes to this amazing job wasn’t immediate. Along with the “all I ever wanted and more” details came risks that couldn’t be ignored.
Sometimes the long-awaited chance to pursue our dream shows up when we least expect it … and at the most inconvenient time.
Thinking about our dreams is one thing. Working toward our dreams can often seem to be an endless time of toil and waiting. And then – surprise! – the long-closed door swings open and we’re invited to step into all we’ve ever dreamed of.
But then you find yourself hesitating because the yes isn’t as simple as you expected.
Maybe, like my daughter and son-in-love, the timing seems off. The dream is inopportune. You’ve already committed to so many other things, how can you say yes to this, no matter how long you’ve waited? But if you say no, when will the opportunity come ‘round again?
Maybe the dream is costly. Most dreams are. Your finances are tight. Can you afford to step through the open door and embrace your dream, knowing what you have in the bank doesn’t equal what you’ll need? Do you shut the door on the dream because the dollars and cents don’t add up?
Maybe the dream is risky, not just for you, but for people you care about. You say yes, and they have to say no to something important to them. They have to put their dreams on the backburner. Or they’ll see you less, because let’s face it, the hard work doesn’t stop with achieving a dream. It’s just a different type of work – the kind of work you’ve been waiting for.
What if the dream doesn’t end up looking like what you thought it would? Sometimes dreams come with disappointments … even, dare I say it, failure. You watch your dream crumble and you have to start over. Look for another opportunity. Another open door.
Amy and David said yes to this inconvenient, risky amazing dream. But first they talked it out. Sought counsel. Prayed. Then together they decided that, as crazy as this all is, yes was the right answer for them.
Dreams are rarely convenient … but sometimes you recognize life’s going to get uncomfortable and wildly crazy, and you go for it.
Has a dream come true ever inconvenienced you?
When a Dream is Inconvenient https://bit.ly/3dN5s3f #perspective #choices Share on X 'Dream big. Start small. But most of all, start.' Quote by Simon Sinek https://bit.ly/3dN5s3f #dreams #goals Share on X
Comments 15
This sounds scary and exciting! Yay, Amy and David for going for it! Prayers that God guides each step and blessings are abundant.
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Thank you for the prayers and encouragement for Amy and David, Karen. We’re all cheering them on in this new adventure.
Interesting thoughts and I’m so glad David is going ahead. It was stretching but expanding as an Amer. to marry a Canadian and move to his country, which I grew to love. I eventually also received Cdn. citizenship and didn’t expect to move back to U.S., but did and that was as much an overhaul as the initial move north. Each time there was expansion and blessing involved although many of the adjustments required could genuinely be called fairly uncomfortable growing pains.
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Dee: So interesting to hear some of your stories — I so love how stories connect us. And yes, growing pains are uncomfortable, but we need to grow. It’s interesting, too, because during my recent walks I’ve been noticing the growth on the evergreens, how they add such beauty to the trees. Hmmm, there’s a lesson there, don’t you think?
Congratulations to Amy and David for being brave and saying yes.
For years we dreamed of living at the beach, but we knew it’d never happen. We never planned to leave Kentucky. Then a few weeks after our youngest son got married, my husband was offered a job. It was at the beach! We knew we couldn’t leave our family. Our oldset son, wife, and grandkids lived around the corner. Our parents live in Kentucky. We prayed, and God gave us signs that we needed to say yes. We learned it wasn’t easy to say yes, but God has been faithful through the hard times. And we’re delighted to live less than a five-minute drive to the beach.
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Jackie: Isn’t it funny how some of our “nevers” surprise us by turning into some of our most unexpected blessings? And yes, at the most unexpected times …
They came to me, and their only dream, so hopelessly shared, was for a warm and safe place to sleep, some food and water, and perhaps a bit of love.
My dreams were as nothing compared to those of my dogs.
No regrets.
Beth, if I may add a PS, this is for Amy and David, and for you.
Dream out loud!
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Andrew, Sometimes what we might consider the smallest, most insignificant dreams can mean the world to someone else.
Thanks for helping me realize that.
Praying for you, friend.
Out of the comfort zone, stepping into dreams do take us! And congratulations to Amy and David. They took the wise path of praying and talking first too, before saying the full yes. Reminds me of Nehemiah!
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Lynn: Taking time for wise counsel is always important, no matter how big the dream.
Those dreams coming true are God’s way of putting the opportunity in front of us. It’s up to us to seize or pass depending on the circumstances. Either way, He’s there for us. Taking the leap may sound crazy, but we’re never alone. And, it might just be the best thing!
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Denise: Such encouraging words — and yes, it’s good to remember we’re never alone. Not one single day along the way.
Congratulations to David and Amy! I’m so happy for them on so many fronts! And yes, every dream-come-true has meant work-work-work! I think dreams that come true are gateways, not destinations. Marrying your true love, taking that perfect job, even signing with that perfect agent, means the start of a new life with a new set of obstacles. Dreams aren’t the end, but the beginning. As Lao Tsu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” And sometimes we have to take that step over and over.
Thanks so much for your encouragement on my dream-come-true journey!
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Angie: I like your perspective. We need to savor the dream-come-true moments, and also learn to realize the journey is to be enjoyed too. For me? I’m still learning this part. Thanks for encouraging me, too, friend.