A Dream that Carries You

Dreams carry one on towards who they want to become and what they want to do in their life, future, and before they pass on. According to Anne Ortlund a Christian book writer,“A dream is a precious exciting thing that carries you forward from day to day; a goal down the way that keep you on the straight road to get there, a purpose just for you alone, exhilarating enough to give you momentum for a long time to come” (Ortlund). I have many dreams and have found that one must have a intent, purpose and plan behind those dreams to carry them forward and make them a reality.

My dreams ultimately sit under the umbrella of one big dream: The person I want to become, represent, and the things that I do to make that possible.  I desire to be known as a girl who genuinely loved people.  Not with a love of that comes from a desire to be loved; however, a love that that stems from being loved first by a perfect love.  Love is displayed through actions in ways that words cannot attain to. The Perfect Love was demonstrated to me in a way that overtakes all acts of love in history.  Actions of love from a genuine heart of love prove that it is real.

Surrounding my ultimate goal are the dreams I have to complete that goal.  Many of them seem small while others appear impossible to attain.  However behind each desire is a want to show others what Perfect love is.  In the past I have tried to attain love by means of earning it.  I had to do things to earn the love of another.  The powerful thing about the Perfect love is that it was displayed when who I was did everything possible to crush it.  Daily, from the moment of birth, I have performed many actions out of self-love, actions labeled both 'good' and 'bad'. Love from a mere want to be loved is not complete love.  The Perfect love was given when I did not love, nor did anything to deserve love.  I desire to proclaim the name of He who is true love and have others know His love that fulfills every desire to be loved.

But what is my intent and purpose behind such goals and dreams?  Why do I desire to genuinely love people and show them the One who filled me with his love?  Because He has made me to love Him. The point behind it all is to show Him my complete adoration. The purpose is to follow what He desires, which is that I serve Him with a complete and pure heart. By doing this every desire and dream of my heart is fulfilled.

Footprints on my Heart

Dust encircles the footprints left behind on the roads of Mezcales, Mexico. Thin air allows the scents of livestock, stucco, and sewage to wander.  A colauge of debris grows wherever it was last left. Lining the soggy, uneven roads are the homes of people living as though they are standing still. Despite the surrounding filth and poverty, I left behind in Mexico some of the most beautiful sights ever created: the faces of Mezcales I came to know. The sight of children in the streets made my heart soar, I was excited to meet them, while the sound of their laughter made me want to dance, I was going to share God's love with them .
For three days I lived where they live and played where they play. While immersed in living where they live, we shared also in their fun. A soccer field on the edge of town was the place to be for jubilee and laughter.  With objects such as a baby doll, a kitten, the Sunday bell, or a ball the imaginations of the kids ran wild. Love was shared in many moments with flannel graph stories, pet frog rocks, silent skits, pictures, and treats.

Without words our love was shared. Hugs, “pony” rides, and tears from laughter abounded in every direction one looked. The world came alive with colors of children sprinkling their confetti and joy. With music, the barriers of language were crossed and a common ground was found. Dancing, laughing, singing, and shouting, the sounds were a joy to any ear. At the end of each day the dissapointment was seen on the faces of those saying good-bye till tomorrow. Each child filled with anticipation for the next day when they could be with their, “maestros,” again. Not many could describe the love that was shown without words and through actions in the streets of Mezcales.

Love is universal. It is shared beyond what words are able to describe. If one could catch every tear that fell from the eyes of those saying farewell on the last day, one could start a light drizzle of rain in the skies of Mexico. On my cheeks are stained the tears I cried and the kisses from the little treasures I left behind. On my heart each name is inscribed. Over and over the words, “te amo” reached my ears and still ring. “I love you, I love you,” is what was proclaimed, “Because God first loved me and sent me to show His love to you.”

In the dusty streets of Mezcales, many little feet walk. God sees each footprint made in the ground and each tear that drops from each eye. He holds each little hand, calling their souls to Himself. Not every one will run to Him, not every one will see. But love has been proclaimed and the God who intricately created each child  knows each little heart He wove together. My prayer remains that someday their feet will run straight into the arms of love.