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I am a dreamer!
As a kid I was often told to get my head out of the clouds and my feet back on the ground. I had a vivid, creative imagination. I was told, the things I wanted to do and be weren’t practical. I needed to think logically, be practical about the job I would pursue and how it would provide a living for me and my future family.
Have you ever had God drop a dream into your heart, only to find out that it was going to look much different than you thought it would?
For the next several weeks, I am going to share lessons from the life of Joseph, everyone’s favorite dreamer.
Dreams …
We all have them, desire them and are excited to obtain them. Then there are the God Dreams … these are the dreams God plants in our hearts and no matter how difficult the road is, or how hard things get, we can’t shake them. For me, that dream was and still is, writing.
I am a story teller. From the time I was little, I loved to write creative stories. I would often have dreams at night which would translate into ideas for writing projects and school papers. I love stories that draw me in, move me, and captivate me and I wanted to do this with others.
Whenever anyone asked what my dream job would be and I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say: “A wife, a mother, and a writer!” These three things seemed simple enough and yet, they were not at the same time. My response would often illicit laughter with unsaid thoughts of, “oh she’s so cute and naïve.” The older I got, my answer remained the same, but people began to voice their opinions and make comments, followed by more questions. Comments like:
- “Those are all good things, but they don’t pay the bills.”
- “Being a writer isn’t a career.”
- “Being a wife and mother is good, but you have to have a real job.
- “What will you study in college?”
- “What career will you get to pay the bills?”
- “You can’t be a writer.”
I never wavered from wanting those three simple dreams when I grew up. That is, until I went to college.
My freshman year of college I took a creative writing class as an elective. It was not required for the degree I was pursing, but it was something I had always excelled in during school. I figured it would be an easy “A” and I would learn more about the “writing craft” I so desperately dreamed about. Sadly, that wasn’t the case. I won’t bore you with the details, but let’s suffice it to say, the college professor managed to embarrass me in front of the entire class, called into question my ability to write and wondered out loud why I thought I should even be in her class. I toughed it out for the remainder of the class, but as soon as it was over, I immediately marched to the registrar’s office and dropped the class. In my devastation and embarrassment, I vowed, to never write again, creatively or otherwise. I buried the dream of being a writer, slammed the door shut and did my best to move forward.
Hope postponed grieves the heart; but when a dream comes true, life is full and sweet. (Proverbs 13:12 The Voice)
I was a mess. I was hurt, wounded and turned my back on not just a wild fanciful dream I had concocted, but a dream God had placed within me.
Even the road to becoming a mother was a battle. It was wrought with loss, tears, and unbelief. I suffered the loss of my first pregnancy after the first trimester when it was considered to be safe. The whole ordeal was traumatic, followed only days later with devastating news from doctors who said, I needed surgery, but even then, they were unsure I would ever get pregnant.
I felt like God had abandoned me and the dreams I had as a child were now tormenting and taunting me. I began to question my dreams. Were these dreams from God or where they childish immature dreams from little girl fantasies?
I thank God for the people in our church and our families that walked through that season with us. I thank God for His proven faithfulness and His miracles. God was faithful and He indeed gave us children. The doctors called my son a miracle, they didn’t think I would be able to conceive after surgery, but God is a God of miracles. I have two healthy grown adult children. A dream and promise of God fulfilled.
However, it would be close to 20 years later when I got the courage and the healing to begin to write again. The courage to begin to dream again about being a writer. I will admit the road has not been easy. It has been filled with doubt, unbelief, insecurities, tears and anguish. Yet, I’ve come to realize the dream to be a writer is a God-given dream. It’s part of who He has called, created and gifted me to be! The road still isn’t easy and at times it’s an upward battle in my mind to overcome obstacles, the lies of the enemy, and the thoughts and opinions of others.
Joseph fought battles too and had to overcome many obstacles along the way to realizing his God given destiny and walking in the fulfillment of the God-dream he had been given. Joseph had a long hard journey from favored son, to the pit, to Potiphar’s house, to prison, and then finally arriving in the palace. However, even after arriving in the palace, his opposition and obstacles did not disappear.
The battle to walk out our God given dreams can be fierce. Many people give up and walk away – please don’t. The fight is worth it. I am here to encourage you to fight the good fight, keep the faith, and don’t give up. We fight from a position of victory not toward victory because Jesus already paid the price for us, fought the battle and came out victorious!
The battle to walk out our #dreams can be fierce,. but it's worth it Click To Tweet
Prayer:
God, thank you for the dreams you have put in my hearts. Dreams you have had for me since before the foundations of the world were even laid. God I trust You. Help me to dust off the dreams that You have put in my hearts. Give me hope and awaken me to dream again with You. I give You permission to heal the places in my life where hurt has settled in and held me back from walking fully in the dreams and plans you have for me.
Remember:
I am a dreamer! You’re a dreamer! Joseph was a dreamer. We are all dreamers! God is calling us all to open our hearts, trust Him and dream again.
#God is calling us to #dream again with Him. Click To Tweet
What God-dreams have you been given?
Where are you in your journey?
Are there dreams you have given up on?
Are you in a battle to see them realized?
Are you living out your dream?
Please share so we can be praying for one another.
Coming Soon
Yes, it’s true! The long wait, 2.5 years to be exact is almost over. I finally took the plunge, kicked fear to the curb and utilized all the equipment I have purchased to record a podcast. My first episode has been uploaded to iTunes and am waiting for final approval (2-10 days). I should have more information next week and will definitely post on my social media once the podcast is live. I sure hope you will consider subscribing and listening to: “Dare 2 Hear The Podcast” … My Co-host, Brandi Kitterman and I are extremely exciting for this new season.
Again Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!
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Debbie Kitterman is a natural born encourager who is on fire for God. She is passionate about equipping individuals, so they can go deeper in the relationship with God, reach their God-potential and claim their Kingdom inheritance. Debbie is a wife, mother, author, pastor, speaker and the founder of “Dare 2 Hear,” a ministry that trains individuals to hear the voice of God. She travels to churches internationally and is the founder and teacher of d2htraining.com, an online course designed to equip the believer in releasing God’s heart. Her writing and teachings inspire faith and build bridges for people to believe and expect the impossible. She is also an ordained Foursquare pastor, currently serving with her husband, John, as senior pastor of Restoration Church in Lacey, Washington. Learn more at: www.debbiekitterman.com
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We live in a time, where those around us are in desperate need of a real encounter with Jesus and in need of encouragement. We are called to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13), and to build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). My book will teach you how to step out and do just that.
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I love the lessons from the life of dreamer Joseph. He reminds me that God is so often behind those dreams that have a long shelf life!
Michele, I too love the lessons from Joseph, and I so agree with you about God behind the long shelf life of dreams. 🙂
God loves dreams! They can be hard for us because of all the stuff of the world, but I bet it made Him so happy to see you come back to your dreams!
Rebecca, I completely agree – God does love dreams – He the original dreamer!! Yes, I believe it made Him happy to see me come back to the dreams He had deposited in my heart. Thanks for sharing.
I saw somewhere on social media this week “You may not be able to quit your day job – but never quit your daydream!!!” I thought that was a good one.
Ooooh Susan, that is a good one.. I like that – I might have to put that one on my letter board! Thanks for sharing
Love this post, Debbie— you’re a great storyteller!!! I too am a dreamer, and God knows me. He has continually dropped unexpected dreams into my heart, and yes, they all look different than I thought they would? Thanks for hosting the link-up!
Thank you Patsy. Aren’t you glad God knows us and loves to drop unexpected dreams into our hearts… even if they look different than we thought they would, they still are amazing God dreams to be walking in. You are most welcome for the linkup – thanks for joining this week. 🙂
Debbie, I’m a dreamer too. And how wrong and insensitive of that teacher to abuse her position of authority and squash your dream. Perfect example of why James warns teachers to be careful. Keep writing. I enjoyed your post and always love the life of Joseph.
Thank you Debbie. It was wrong and insensitive but it took years for me to tell anyone about it or even see it was an abuse of her position. You are so right, it is a perfect example of Jame’s warning to teachers. Thank you also for your encouragement and kind words to keep writing.
Debbie,
This post resonates with me as you know because I am in the thick of pursuing my dream to be a working actor.
Unfortunately, like you, I’ve heard it all; get a real job, you can’t make a living as an actor etc etc etc yet it’s a dream that won’t leave me alone.
My life mirrors Joseph’s in every way, in every detail and that is why I’m excited to see how it will all come together for me. The journey has been brutal yet God is faithful. I look forward to coming back each week to read this series.
Blessings to you as you write…
Yvonne, Yes, I know you are boldly pursuing your acting dream!!!! I am so excited for you and praying for you too. Us dream pursuers, we need each other and need to have each others back.. Praying, encouraging, cheering and supporting one another. Thank you for sharing and thank you for not allowing those nay-sayers stop you from going after your dream!
Love this post, Debbie. I’ve learned that God’s the biggest dreamer of all. So thankful for the dreams He puts in my soul…the ones I can feel in my bones. Me and God dream big together! Blessings!
Thank you Karen! Yes, God is the biggest dreamer and I love that about Him! Amen — When we partner with God and dreaming Big together amazing things happen.
And by the way (forgot to say), glad you never gave up on your dream of writing. Your gift is a blessing to so many of us. Thank you.
Thank you 🙂 I am very glad that I didn’t completely walk away and give up all together. You words regarding my writing are such an encouragement and blessing to me.
Oh, Debbie, how could a college professor be so cruel, but I guess there are plenty of teachers like that. I know what it’s like to suffer a miscarriage after the first trimester. Two of mine were at about 12 weeks, but still God has given me lots of lovely children and grandchildren. I think I always wanted to be a writer, too, but that dream was squelched for so long. I was 60 years old when I actually started writing again. Now I’m seeing doors opened that I never thought would be. I don’t know if I’ll ever write a book, but I am enjoying the things I have been able to do. Blessings to you! Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing your stories, Debbie. xo
Gayl, I asked myself that questions oh so many times and never could come up with an answer to why she had to be so mean. I am so sorry for the loss of your two children in miscarriages as well. Yay for starting to write and walking out your dream at 60!!! You go girl! I love it. Keep moving forward and doors will keep opening just as they are… who knows what doors will open and where you will be this time next year. Blessings and hugs to you
I am a dreamer and storyteller too, Debbie. I was often told to get my head out of the clouds when I was a kid. I can’t imagine how a professor could say something like that to a young woman in her first year of college. Wasn’t it her job to instruct you? So sorry to read that you got a bum instructor!
Laurie – that is awesome -w e are 2 peas in a pod… Love it and love getting to know you more by your sharing. The experience with the college professor did shape much of my experience, insecurities and doubts around writing and yes, it was so her job to instruct me, she definitely didn’t full-fill her job duties.
Hey Debbie, I am a dreamer too. Been embarrassed at high school, told I didn’t have a “real ” job. Criticized because there was no great American novel, and hosts of other things. Looking forward to dreaming with you.
Hey Rebecca and fellow dreamer. I have had similar experiences. Thanks for sharing with me and I look forward to having you link up each week and dreaming along side me.
Debbie, I’m sorry to hear how your dream was crushed to the point of questioning but so glad God kept drawing you in and showing you his plan for you in his time! Great words of encouragement and teaching!
Thank you Crystal, is was an awful time for sure. BUT God. You are so right, He kept drawing me in and showing me His plan. I am grateful and blessed indeed.
My heart is saddened that this professor had such a negative impact in your life, but love how God resurrected the dream He’d placed in your heart. Looking forward to this series, Debbie!
Hugs,
Tammy
Thank you Tammy. I was devastated by this event and I am so very glad God resurrected my dreams and revived my heart too. Thanks for joining me for this series. Blessings
I’m glad God plants dreams in our hearts. I don’t tend to think of myself as much of a dreamer, but it probably depends on how I define the word. Keep dreaming big, Debbie!
I am glad God does too. I think we are all dreamers to some extent and it really does depend on how you define to word. Blessings to you.
This week I am sharing my Baked Spaghetti, 4 Cheese Stuffed Shells and Eggplant Parmigiana. Have a lovely evening! Thanks for hosting.
they all sound so delicious. thanks 🙂
Dreams create powerful things for us. It makes us better people and a world a better place. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful weekend
Patrick, you are so right – dreams can create powerful things in our lives. Thanks for being here to linkup each week.
Oh my, I wonder if that professor knows she will have to give an account for every word spoken? I’m glad your dream didn’t die and you fanned the flames to life! Keep going, sister!
Jarralea, I have no idea if she knows it or not, but the truth is she most certainly will. I am so glad that I didn’t let it completely die forever.. but I did for about 10 ish years or so. Thanks for your encouragement
I love this! So often those who make thoughtless remarks never know the damage that they are doing. So often I feel inferior to others b/c of the way I was raised. It makes it hard to identify dreams and fulfill them. But there are desires in my heart that I want to work toward for the glory of God. There is much doubt, but if it is God’s will it will happen. I pray that I can stay on the path even in the path of rejection!
Thank you for hosting!
Thanks for linking up @LiveLifeWell!
Blessings,
Amy
Thank you so much Amy! You are right, those thoughtless remarks cause more damage than we know. I can totally relate to feelings of inferiority too.. I am praying that God awakens those desires in your heart and shows you which one to begin with as you step out onto the path He has called you too. May doubt be silenced and a wall of protection surround you as rejection may come – may it be God’s voice of belonging that lights your path. Blessings
Thank you for this encouragement to pursue my God given dreams!
you are most welcome Elizabeth. 🙂
Congrats on the podcast! Like you, writing is a dream for me that I am doing, but not sure what it’s supposed to look like over all. This was very inspiring and I’m sharing to twitter. laurensparks.net
Thanks Lauren. It shouldbe ready to luanch next week with my very first Podcast! Woo Hoo!!! So excited. Thanks for sharing this post on twitter too.