Some of you may have known that for the past year our family has prepared for a year in Ethiopia. I was called to teach at a theological seminary there. Then the pandemic happened and our year was first postponed and then canceled altogether due to financial difficulties of the Mission organization. Perhaps needless to say, our family was shocked. All our dreams for a year in Africa came crashing down. How did we take it? And how do you continue after your dreams come crashing down anyway?

It is because of the Lord’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed,
Because His [tender] compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion and my inheritance,” says my soul;
“Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.”
(Lamentations 3:23-25, AMP,*)

So we were shocked, sad, and disappointed for sure but at the same time, we knew this was not a surprise for God. And we regularly pray for God to close the wrong doors and open the right ones. This was a very clear closed door, no question about it. So we thanked God for being clear on the issue. Guidance is not always fun but it will eventually lead to the ultimate best and that’s what we want, right?

When dreams come crashing down

What happened next? We surrendered the whole situation, ourselves, and the crashed dreams to God and asked him to use them as he forms something new and beautiful. And we asked what God wants us to do now and to guide us clearly as we move forward.

All this has happened just a couple of days ago so we don’t know the answers yet. The only thing I’ve understood so far is that I am not to rush to fill my life and now empty calendar but let God do it. So now we take it easy, enjoy summertime and wait for what God has for us. I know it is something good because God is good.

And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. (Romans 8:28, AMP,*)

Gracious God,
Thanks for being always in control, even when we feel totally lost.
We surrender ourselves, our plans, our crashed plans, our lives to you.
Use us for your glory and for the joy of our neighbors.
Heal us, nourish us, fill us with your Spirit.
Guide us clearly, Lord.
May your will happen in all of our lives.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Have you experienced dreams coming crashing down? How did you deal with it?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you embrace God even when dreams come crashing down!

Photo by Anna Auza on Unsplash. Linking up today with Five-minute Friday.