Picking the Dream Back Up

So my wife and I often end the day cuddled together on one end of the sofa letting go of all the busyness and demands of life and just enjoying moments of togetherness.  Typically we watch an episode of a recorded drama or a favorite reality show.  Right now we've been watching the latest episodes of America's Got Talent.  We've never voted, we know the results will not change our lives, but we do enjoy watching.

This last week, I have to admit, that I was pleased with the outcome of

America's voting.  Angela Hoover, a middle aged housewife and mother, a comedienne and impressionist, had been voted through to the semifinals.  She had given up the pursuit of comedy and impressionism when life dictated that she focus on other things:  a job move for her husband, raising two children as a stay at home mother.  But this year was her chance to re-embrace her dream.  That night she was on the bubble, nearly eliminated but she got voted through.

 

I confess I emitted a girlish whoop of delight.  Why?  Because Angela exemplified to me and many others the determination to pick dreams back up that have been set aside for a period of time.  Sometimes life dictates setting certain things aside in order to find the balance to meet other obligations and challenges.  For some people, once the dream is set aside, it's never pursued again.

 

In my life, this last year has been one of finding new balance.  One year ago, in addition to all the other responsibilities and duties, I returned to school, picked back up the pursuit of my Master's.  For one year I have been a full time student again.  In order to do it, much of my schedule had to be redone.  No more easy Sunday afternoons and evenings (homework assignments were due).  Although more books were read, fewer of them were off my top ten list.  On vacations, I sought out Wi-Fi hotspots rather that tourist spots; I spent less time at trout streams and more time at a computer screen.

 

I found myself writing weekly and sometimes daily, but less and less for the simple joy of writing, sharing my thoughts and passions.  Man in the Window musings fell off from once a week to twice a month, then to once a month.

 

Now it's a year later, things that were laid down can be picked back up.  Grades are in, papers are finished, a thesis still looms, but now is the time to pick back up things that were laid down.

 

Once again my life verses speak to me, Phil. 3:12-14, those strong words of Paul, I press on.

 

So have you been meaning to pick something back up?  Is it time to reignite a passion, habit, a ministry, a project, a goal, a course of study?  It's time to press on.  Have you finished a project?  Do you know you've plateaued?  Press on to something new. Or is it to get back in the game?  Then rejoin the race, recommit.  Press on.

 

Life is filled with limited opportunities, limited days to chase the dreams, to glorify the Forgiver.  Press on.

 

Thanks for all who have read in the past.  Now let's press on.

 

The Man in the Window (pressing on)

Bruce D. Rzengota
Norwalk Alliance Church

"I have one passion: it is He, He alone." Count Zinzendorf