Research shows that how one views the future will guide what one does today.

While doing my graduate research at Penn State, I encountered two adults who saw barriers to the realization of their dreams.

First I met a woman with the life roles of wife and mother but she wanted to be a school teacher. It was difficult for her to see beyond her current circumstances. After some reflection, she was open to the possibility of taking some evening classes leading eventually to a degree. She realized her children would grow up, leave the nest and her life responsibilities would change. She also saw the possibility of getting experience by volunteering at her children’s school and investigating the possibility of serving as a teacher’s assistant. She saw practical steps toward the eventual realization of her dream!

Second, I met a gentleman with the life roles of husband, father, family bread-winner and science teacher but he wanted to be a surgeon. His life responsibilities seemed to present barriers for his dream achievement.   After some reflection, he saw the possibility of gaining an emergency medical technician license. He began investigating avenues for on-line and/or part time medical school classes.  He saw practical steps toward the eventual realization of his dream!

So where are you today? Do you have a dream?

What about your circumstances seem like barriers to your dream achievement?

Where you are is no mistake according to Ephesians 1:

⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will

Pour out your heart to Jesus Christ and ask His advice and direction. He loves you unconditionally and cares for you.

Psalms 32:

⁸I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

⁹ Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

¹⁰ Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

¹¹ Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Proverbs 3:

⁵Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Making it practical

What will be different in the future if your dream is your reality?

What must happen for your dream to become your reality?

What about your dream motivates you?

What about your dream energizes you?

What are your key strengths?

What do these words mean to you, Psalms 37:

⁴ Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

⁵ Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

⁶ And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

⁷ Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti