When I was a little girl, I knew that I could achieve whatever I truly set my heart, head and hand to do. I did not know when or how; I just knew deep down inside that it would happen. For example:

  • When I was a little girl, I used to dream I could drive. I could see me at the steering wheel of a car and the lines in the middle of the street whizzing by. I did it so much in my sleep, once I was a teenager, it was easy.
  • As a young woman, watching movies of exotic places, I dreamed of traveling to Europe. Back then, nobody I knew had such dreams. I have been several times.
  • I was told a teen-aged marriage could not last, but we were happily married for thirty-eight years until his death.

I have always refused to be limited by others’ evaluation of my ability to attain my dreams. However, all my life there have been nay-sayers offering me advise. I was told I could not major in Speech-Language Pathology because I had four young children, was poor, black, lived in East St. Louis, AND did not speak King James English. I was told I could not pastor a church because I was a woman. I was told I could not earn a Doctor of Ministry degree because I was 62 years old. But there has always been an inner voice saying, “Yes, I can!”

My latest dream is to be a freelance writer and author. I am now in my seventies. Every book on writing I have read so far states one should start writing in college to have time to develop the craft. According to the latest literature, the odds of me becoming a published writer are slim. But I know I will.

Why do I think I beat the odds in the past, and will do it again? Because as I look back over my life, I know that God put those desires in my heart when no one in my world had such thoughts. Yes, I had to study, work hard, and be a responsible person. Yes, there were nay-sayers and people who intentionally put barriers in my way. But what God has for me is for me! God opened doors I could not see and provided divine connections I knew not of.  

Even as a child, before I consciously accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, I sensed his presence in my life. As a little girl I read the Bible, trying to understand what it meant. I have made some mistakes along the way, but God’s plan for me has been revealed through the desires He places in my heart. 

I draw strength from Jeremiah 29:11:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper

 you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I will not yield to the nay-sayers, in person or in books on the writing craft. Yes, I will have to work hard, but God has never failed me. And He is not about to start now.

Do you have a dream? Is there a desire God has laid on your heart? Embrace your dream! Do your part and believe God to open doors and to give you divine connections. I am interested to hear them. Share your God-given desires with us so that we can encourage you and praise God with you.  #Jointheconversation. #dreambig #dreambelieveachieve