“God’s gifts put man’s best dreams to shame.”
As we find ourselves in the final days of Advent I really like this quote from Elizabeth Barret Browning.
A few days ago I was reading my Advent devotional, the author used the quote in reference to Zachariah and Elizabeth. Never could they have dreamed that God would use their years of bareness to give birth to the forerunner of Christ.
I’m sure their dreams were for a household of children and grandchildren, but God (those are two powerful words don’t you think?) had other plans. He chose them to be the parents of one special child, John the Baptist.
God had bigger dreams than they could possibly imagine. Zachariah’s response more than clearly shows that he could never have dreamed of such a great gift, that he didn’t understand even when an angel was there telling him!
I would be the first to admit that I have gone through seasons of feeling barren, thinking that God’s gifts and plans couldn’t possibly be better than what I had imagined.
Time after time he proves me wrong. It may take me a few months or even years to see that but in the end, I see that my dreams are nothing in compare to what God’s gifts are.
Even now I don’t always see it but I continually get a glimpse of what I wanted and what God gave in different seasons of life instead.
I’ll be honest, I’m struggling with it again, but God has gifts that he wants me to open that I can’t even begin to imagine. For me, the struggle is generally the desire to marry and have a family.
Being single at 30 isn’t easy but then I look at the faces of the girls he gave me to raise for 10 years and I remind myself that these gifts of mine were so worth it. I wouldn’t wish the chance to raise one of these girls away, how could I?
What dreams are you clinging to?
Is is marriage?
Is it the desire to finally hold a baby of your own in your arms?
A home of your own?
That promotion at work?
Don’t let go of those dreams, keep praying for them but hold them loosely beloved ladies.
The wait is excruciating and heartwrenching at times. It is so hard when we don’t see the bigger picture; when we don’t have God’s lenses to look through.
It is okay to grieve but don’t let it eclipse what God is doing. Take time in the here and now to embrace the life he is giving you to live now, even when it doesn’t make sense. God’s gifts and our dreams may not be the same, but those gifts will be worth it!
What devotional am I using right now? Ann Voskamp’s “The Greatest Gift“.
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What gifts has God given you?
Dear Katie,
Your words are so incredibly inspiring, this evening. You put into words the thoughts that are working in my heart, these days. Thank you so dearly for sharing.
I absolutely love your blog and the philosophy you are so kindly sharing through it. Please keep up your wonderful work. I love reading your posts and truly enjoyed your pantry tour video!
Thank you so much, Anne, for your kind comment! That alone has blessed my morning. I’m grateful that what God put on my heart was a blessing for you as well.