Waiting any longer may leave you exposed to many unresolved issues of past failures in your life. What you thought was a dream might have been extreme fantasy, ready to be brought into proper recognition a far greater reality—understanding the bigger picture of wonderworking power behind the scenes of universal integrity. A little older, a little wiser, the time passed has informed.
Becoming excited about achieving your most significant outcome will attract other things into your life to make that happen. It is never too late to begin a journey. It is never too late to create a dream and plan with detail to see it come to fruition. Most encouragingly, receiving unexpected queues, guiding, withholding, and times promoting. Along the way, you are protecting, like a treasure for good measure.
So choose to move forward with optimism and growth, realize your future with hope, courage, and determination.
Twenty-two years ago, my husband and I decided to sell all we had to be debt-free. To keep only that which was necessary. It was a magnificent idea born from conviction, over-commitment, threatening burden of debt overflow, and mental attitude. As many observations could have kept our stability, incredible confrontation of sensibility is human reasoning for comfortability. The only true peace to prove right every time and always is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In hindsight, God's goodness and grace gave us the best of years together, constantly perfecting that which concerned us. Our most significant convictions, the privacy of our calling, directing our path, husband, and wife. Like dead branches removed, allow for optimal spiritual growth. It was time again to way the balance and deep dive into reality, take a long look ahead and make the best choices now. It does not matter how big and bold our plans, how detailed and tremendous, always be aware of the unexpected, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth. It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:8-11
I share this snippet from my opinion and what it meant to me. When I first heard this magnificent announcement ( being debt-free was not a new concept for us to behold), on this particular day when I entered our newly completed glorious dream home, a nursing baby in my arms. The moment of incredulous joy reserved for a time so special, my husband breathed out, "we won't be here very much longer," distorted my perception of this our forever home. Already as brick went upon brick with the building process, new ways of thinking kept penetrating. We were suspended in time, waiting to appreciate, comprehend the magnitude of a decision. Already our many life experiences had been astounding and would continue so. Living in the moment has always been important - not missing the unexpected treasures that show up, an attitude of gratitude to ensue. Still at the ready to move to action - over the years, understanding the fine print of choices for new information arrives when being transformed by the renewing of your mind.
We were asking questions, gaining perspective, trying to understand eventually unraveled the unexpected plan. When I overlooked the hills and grand expanse of land, a still small voice inside prepared me as each new day revealed an upgraded download to instill. Sounds absurd, right! How crazy, we had barely been in our new place when this revelation jolted my nerve. "You will one day live in a bus, sell all you have and follow me''. What did that mean, investigate, can not procrastinate? I kept it to myself, guarded close to heart, yet everything from that day forward connected like lego—a light in the dark—a progressive ideal worthy of pursuit as unexpected revealings continued. Slow and steady day by day, moving forward, we did not stray. We were responsible and accountable, taking a thorough look at how we're living, our spiritual wellbeing of utmost importance—always guiding, directing our path. At this time, I must interject; my thoughts were such, if this were to happen, it would have to be by supernatural means to move me. I was finally in our forever dream home, remember. And so it began, the continued journey.
All our beautiful and treasured things accumulated now became excess. Cupboards and drawers filled with stuff, for what? It is like a light went on, and each day got brighter to shine the light on places that were an utter disaster—sifting and sorting, adjusting, creating, exploring all possibilities. To the rest of the world, we were sitting beautifully. Yet something far more significant was beginning to stir. We wanted more meaning, more purpose to activate.
If we stayed where we were to raise our family, it would have been tremendous and incredible, still with inflections., joy and adversity. Our dream of this forever home, dissolving, as the journey was an altogether other experience that I have no regret—always preparing us to extend our reach. Adding to who I am today.
Of course, our family and friends thought us crazy, and folk did not understand, but that did not matter, for this was our journey, and there was always a much grander plan. No one else knows the hidden things in man's heart, except for God. Therefore judge no man according to the flesh. It can be very confronting to others when you make a bold and audacious move. It's no about them, this was about us, our life, our family, our walk, our talk our calling.
We sell the house, give away and sell our things, were brutal with decisions, like no turning back, it's now or never! Be bold, be brave, believe. The process took a while, from announcement to get-go.
It was exciting, enthralling, frightening, and revealing. What were we capable of achieving? We were about to discover our first night on the bus like dreaming, wide-eyed - next morning came reality, we laughed out loud. A severe contrast from what was to what is, was a bold adventure of faith and curiosity, a complex tapestry of unique perplexity, revealing an everlasting memory of lessons for life to live. It took two years, gaining perspective, selling the dream home in the country, leasing a house closer to the city, then moving again nearer to the coast, wrapping up business before we ventured out. Whenever we attempted to digress, divine provision, supernatural prompting maneuvered into position whenever we knew better. Constant growth and learning, sifting and sorting, the bus won in the end, a representation of trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.
My friends thought it curious when I became a country girl, embracing all the news; whatever happened was no great surprise; we always thought outside the square to be fair. Ours was a more profound conviction, each day, the picture becoming more transparent as we drew nearer. A seed was planted, revealing the tree's fruit and strength and learning the truth of all far exceeding.
More resolve, more resiliency; adapt more, adjust more, and pray more fervently. I made that bus home; it became our sanctuary. It was the beginning of another journey—one of the most incredible years of untold lessons, of unexpected lifelong instilled valuable treasures to measure—a precious freeze-frame time of 33 months living in a bus traveling around Australia, with our son and then five daughters (13, 10, 7, 4, 3 &1 ). Number seven arrived in 2006. Before and after that, continued cultivating faith, a process of responsibility, as reliance on self, possessions, income, and things properly perceived is liberating. Adding value with meaningful connections, being available, living by faith, making a difference, being enriched beyond measure. You will have clarity and comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of God's love one day. (Ephesians 3:14-21)
Push yourself beyond your capabilities that you have set in your mind. Aspire to extend yourself in all areas of your life that you may grow and bear fruit. We all have a story or two or three or more to tell.
We can be sure to be inspired by the people we meet, the family members we know and love, the books we read, even past successes we may have had. However, only you alone can move forward with optimism when you decide.
You will require courage and determination to keep going when others may challenge you. It is that moment you regain your power of enthusiasm when you choose the life balance you desire. Along the way, you'll change your mind, unlearn some things, learn some new, with personal convictions to follow through.
If you have had several failed attempts at making a fresh start, never give up! Stay curious and know there is much more excellent work to be done for your highest and best outcome. Start here, right now, as you are, with what you have.
Today aspire to greatness and see what you create; life is like a blink, therefore choose to do what matters most, what is right and true for you.
* "True greatness is not measured by the headlines a person commands or the wealth he or she accumulates. The inner character of a person - the undergirding moral and spiritual values and commitments - is the true measure of lasting greatness." - Billy Graham
Remember, Relax, Dream Big, Stay Curious!
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