Be encouraged in the LORD.

Yesterday, I found myself facing those feelings of discouragement that so often creep in when we are going head-strong after a dream that we have been running long and hard after.

Isn’t it odd that none can escape discouragement, not even the brightest eyed, most passionate idealist that treasures their dream that seems to be on the brink of coming to pass. No, we all find ourselves here.

Those great ideas that make up a dream and

that big heart that aches to see it come true can

in an instant

 be clouded out by the big, heavy discouragement that seeks

 to take your dream’s place.

The discouragement that laughs in the disbelief that people still actually dream your dream…that mocks, more specifically, that you still dream your dream.

How funny is it that at first we respond shocked at the discouragement that can come from others, words, emails, or situations as if it were poking fun at our child. Dreams can feel that precious.

Then when it comes in waves, our posture changes and the discouragement begins to come from us as we say, “how stupid am I…

it’s not worth it…
          there is no possible way…
                                     it is just costing too much…”

Have you ever been there?

Today I briefly began to feel this way. I excused myself to find a minute alone and in such a sweet whisper the Holy Spirit said, “Be encouraged in the LORD”. I stopped and listened and again felt the words,

“Be encouraged in the LORD”.

I began to think how wonderful it is that I can be encouraged in the LORD.

Not in myself, I am weak on my own.

Not in my knowledge, I am still learning.

Not in my situation, it surely is hopeless.

Not in my planning, my best plans fall short.

But my encouragement is in the LORD.

The LORD who formed, knew me, and placed this very dream inside of me.

The LORD who has moved mightily in my life before, is now, and will again.

The LORD who so clearly has been ordering my steps and carefully fixed the foolish oversights in my best planning efforts.

The LORD who gave a friend the heart for giving my precious Silas the greatest learning and loving environment I could ask for.

The LORD who has parted seas, opened barren wombs, and raised the dead.

The LORD who has done all that and still cares for me…that is where my encouragement lies.

“Be encouraged in the LORD”.

How He must gently smile at my foolish cares and my lack of faith. How He must feel that loving frustration a parent feels when they are ready for their child to just get it.

Well today God, I get it…and I’m encouraged in who you are and who I am in you.

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This is in no way a reflection of my student teaching experience thus far! Just a lesson, I learned this week and a current meditation of my heart. :)