Dreams and Goals

I have spent a large part of my adult life making to-do lists and working towards the next big hurdle. I tuck childhood dreams back into my subconscious, focusing my energy on the urgent immediate need. This is not a bad thing. I have been blessed with success in my education and career, a supportive 40 year marriage, and 4 generous, smart adult children with families of their own. But what happens to these seemingly frivolous dreams? Should a responsible adult waste time on something without any obvious productive return?

I am slowly discovering that my Creator created me with dreams that do not have to produce something tangible to make them valuable. He has put them in my heart as a gift and will continue to nurture them if I allow it. What joy I have when a dream is fulfilled, whether it is a family vacation, a walk in my favorite park with my granddaughters, or an unexpected trip to the Arctic with my husband. I believe that God gives us our dreams and delights to give us these gifts. He is waiting for us to open our arms and accept them. Sometimes it takes years to happen. Sometimes, only a minute. Recognizing these gifts brings hope to my life and for all the other dreams I still hold onto.

I am about to embark on a lifelong dream I truly thought would never happen. Walking 2200 miles along the Eastern Continental Divide was too foolish, frivolous, and irresponsible for any sane adult, not to mention a huge investment of time and money. I continued to ask God, “If this desire to hike the whole Appalachian Trail is a silly childhood dream, not given by You, why has my yearning only intensified over more than 50 years?” For example, other childhood dreams – like becoming an astronaut – faded away and morphed into other pursuits.

The answer was an open door in family responsibilities and an encouraging question from my husband in October, “What is preventing from you doing it this year?” Then, he began researching and planning with me. When I began to doubt and get discouraged he redirected my focus. I don’t deserve his love and sacrifice for my dream or my Father’s amazing gift of the time, my health, and support crew (many family and friends)! However, I step onto the white-blazed footpath in 24 hours!