At my house, writing is a natural part of life. I write for a living. My husband is also a writer, though his is usually more policy-oriented, legal mumbo jumbo, and business-focused. As a result, our children have picked up our passion for writing, so it's no strange thing on any given evening, for all of us to be engrossed in writing projects.
The kids love making their own books and they always seem to get a special kick out of seeing me read aloud the fictional stories they write & illustrate for the family's enjoyment. Well, I think 3 year old Kaleb has finally gotten bit with the "writing bug." Over the past week, he's been bringing me sheets of paper, folded crookedly, with colorful circles all over them, requesting that I read the "book" he made for me.
The challenge? Uh, making a complete story out of oddly constructed shapes and no words.
Today, he handed me his "story," and said: "I make a book for you mommy. I make the boy and his muyur (mother) and the tookies (cookies) in the stove. Read it."
As I looked down at those pages without even a remote resemblance to a boy, mother, a stove, or some cookies, I thought to myself, "Wow, now that's being imaginative." For Kaleb, those people and objects were very real and very clear.
He could see it, even though I couldn't.
I wonder; what do you see that others can't? Do you have a vision in your heart that's clear to you, but seemingly unclear to most everyone else? Do naysayers and critics ever make you feel like your vision is much too ambiguous, ambitious, or unrealistic? Do you allow the lack of understanding of, support for, and enthusiasm about your vision to stop you from doing what you feel passionate about, and what you believe you're called to do and be?
If so, I've written this post especially for you today. There comes a time when you simply have to accept the fact that, everyone won't always rally around your vision. There will be occasions when you'll have to be your own cheerleader and encourage yourself in the Lord.
But that's alright. As I always say, if God called you, He's already equipped you to complete the task. Believe in the word of the Lord first... then believe in yourself.
Listen. I want to challenge you to be like my youngest son, Kaleb, and believe in your vision. If you see a boy, a mother, cookies, and a stove when all others see are circles, so what. Be matter of fact about what you see and don't waver. Don't be double-minded which will lead you to constantly second-guess yourself. James 1:8 says, "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."
So what if no one "gets" it. What did God place in your heart to do? What do you see? Because at the end of the day, if God revealed it and you can see it, that's enough.
All that's left to do now is begin moving full speed ahead and trusting God every step of the way. As the old saying goes, "If you'll take one step, He'll take two."
As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
