I had the privilege of meeting a wonderful young Ethiopian family recently. This beautiful young couple and their 2 boys have been looking for a home with me. The first day I met them, the wife hooked her arm into mine and said, "You are my mother." To say I was thrilled is an understatement! I love this young family and we have adopted each other.
We have been looking at a home on some beautiful acreage. This afternoon we walked the property and talked about all the pros and cons. Their oldest son, Ethan, was having a ball just playing outside, climbing a tree, looking for rabbits in the rabbit holes, etc.
After we had looked at absolutely everything, his mom and little brother had gotten into the car but his dad was taking one last look around the house. As Ethan and I walked over to him, Ethan said to me, "Do you know why I like to be outside?"
"No" I answered. "Why?"
"Because, when I'm outside I can dream."
Wow! What a profound statement from an incredible young boy! Of course, this vast creation frees us to dream! After all, it was created by the biggest dreamer ever, our heavenly Father!
It makes me think of all the times I have sat and watched a sunset...and dreamed.
Or sat on a beach and watched the waves rolling in...and dreamed.
Of times taking in the grandeur of the mountains...and dreamed.
Staring at the chasm of the Grand Canyon...and dreamed.
Riding on the sailboat with my Dad and the dolphins swimming alongside us...and dreamed.
As a kid, wading along the beach on Guam before the tide rolled in with my family, picking up shells...and dreamed.
Sitting in the tree house my brothers and I built...and dreamed.
This Labor Day weekend is in the middle of my Dad's birthday and my parents wedding anniversary so, of course, they have been on my mind. I am so grateful that they raised us with a huge dose of outdoor fun. Camping trips. Weekends at the lake. Living in the country with horses to ride and woods to explore. Traveling across the country and taking in so much of God's exquisite creation. Crossing the Pacific by cargo ship and watching the stars at night with absolutely no "light pollution" to dim the view. Even the simple wonder of planting a seed and watching it grow.
I want to challenge you this long weekend to put down your electronic devices, get outside and take your family with you. Enjoy the outdoors.
And dream.
Psalm 19:1 The Passion Translation
"God's splendor is a tale that is told; His testament is written in the stars. Space it self speaks his story every day through the marvels of the heavens. His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky showing his skill in creation's craftsmanship."
Colossians 1:15-17 New Living Translation
"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see-such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together."
