Go on ahead... Hope

We are quick to stop hoping and stop dreaming.  I ask my students what they want and they have trouble telling me.  What do you want to be?  What do you dream about?  I'm finding that people have trouble dreaming.  When my son was in kindergarten, he wanted to be a cowboy.  He was so decisive about it.  Now, when I ask him, he's less decisive.  My daughter also has no idea.  Is it fear? Why should I even allow myself to dream?

I had a dream when I was younger.  I wanted to be a singer.  I went on auditions.  My friend, Abby from high school thought I was obsessed.  I was.  One day I remember waking up and thinking (maybe hearing) that I was never meant to be a singer.  Okay.  Now what?  I don't know how but God led me to become an educator, and there I found my purpose.  Those of you that once knew me as a singer sometimes ask me (they always ask me), "Do you still sing?"  Yes.  God in his infinite mercy still allows me to sing every once in a while.  I am blessed to be able to sing in His service.  I am so thankful for the opportunity.  Praise the Lord!!!

I was with my Bible Study Group (Bible Study Babes) on Monday and we talked about how scary it is to hope.  Should we hope?  Yes.  We should hope.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Isaiah 40:31
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Romans 15:4
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

It should be okay to hope in something.  I can hope and ask God for something and see what ends up happening.  I praise God for the option of having the all scary hope.  My advice to you is to hope, go on ahead and see what happens.  Maybe, just maybe, you will get what you hoped for.  Wait on the Lord.