Dreams, most of us have them. What are yours? When was the last time that you did any work towards your dream? I remember as a child how I would dream, dream, dream.  I remember being around other children my age and we will get together and get excited about our dreams.  We would talk about them out loud, for example the conversation would go something like this: when I grow up I am going to be a teacher.  Then someone else would say I am going to be a doctor or lawyer and the dream list would go on and on.

It’s interesting as adults we don’t dream as much, or at least we don’t share them. What I come to realize is that my dream, or what I often refer to as my purpose is still alive within me. I believe that God has a plan for my life and for your life.  Our job is to follow as He leads and to trust, as well as obey.

I challenge you to believe in your dreams, because they do not have an expiration date.

Think of a time when you made or purchased a gift for someone.  You present the gift and as you wait in anticipation for the person to open the gift, you are filled to the top with excitement that is just waiting to bust wide open!   Sometimes it seems like it takes  f-o-r-e-v-e-r for the gift to be opened!  At least in my case, and as I look back on times where I have given gifts , and I reflect on the expression on the person’s face when the present is unveiled,  I am reminded of the joy that it brought to my soul.  This is because it is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35).

You can be blessed everyday by giving away a smile, a hug, an encouraging word or maybe time for a friend or a loved  one.  It’s free and remember you will be a blessing and blessed because of it.

Valentine’s day is this Thursday, February 14 and it is a day of anticipation for people who exchange cards and gifts with their significant other and loved ones.  But for some people who are not in a relationship, or have loss a loved one, or maybe their spouse or mate doesn’t celebrate, this could actually be a day that bring on discouragement, depression or loneliness.  But it doesn’t need to be! I challenge you to celebrate yourself on this day of love.  I challenge you to love on yourself! Buy your own flowers or candy.  Take yourself out to dinner, or to the movies, or maybe have a candlelight bubble bath with a good book! The important thing to know is that you are enough! You don’t have to wait until you are in a relationship to feel loved.  You were wonderfully and fearfully made and God loves you.

There is nothing selfish about self-love and guess what? You don’t even have to wait for Valentine’s day or any other holiday to show yourself some love in balanced way.  You can do it today.

Take care and be blessed.

What do you do concerning the matters of your heart? How do you handle them? Do you internalize them? Do you talk about them with your mentor, friend, or spiritual adviser? Or do you pray about what’s going on in your heart? Or maybe you are the type of person that does all of the above.  Actually there is no right or wrong answer to this question.  In fact, I have done them all.  But, I must confess that my best option has been to pray about the matters of my heart.  I believe that when I cast my cares upon the Lord, it opens the door for God to work in my life and in the lives of the people I love and it releases the pressure and stress of what concerns me.

I encourage you to make a decision today to cast all your cares on the Lord and begin to trust Him to take care of you as well as the matters of your heart.  And you know what, I am confident that your heart will thank you!