What does faith have to do with dreaming bigger? Everything, we can only dream as big as our imagination can take us. Beyond that point we have nothing. We can strain and squeeze our brains all we want and we are never going to be able to imagine more that it can contain. But with faith you see anything is possible. God is able to do above and beyond our wildest, most creative dreams.
My good friend decided to step off the cliff into a “faith walk” that God had prepared for her. I was so scared and happy for her all at the same time. I envied her tenacity to make such a bold move with her life. I wanted to do the same thing, but I didn’t have the nerve that it took to even get to the edge of the cliff. But my friend Denise said the urge to step into her destiny was so strong she felt she had no other choice. So she took a quantum leap with God and the results have been more than miraculous.
You see, my friend, Denise Hall Brown, has suffered a tremendous amount of lost and tragedy since the time that I met her. Years before I even knew who she was or her story, she had lost her mother to a tragic accident with a drunk driver. Her mother was her world and at her tender age, it was a devastating event that would rock her world.
Years later, when I did have the opportunity to know Denise very well, is when she suffered the untimely loss of her 6 month old baby boy, Isaiah. I remember that day just like it was yesterday and I don’t think I will ever forget it. My heart broke in a thousands pieces for her and her family and I feel like a part of me will never be the same.
Yet in still she rose to the top and she survived and she began a deep walk with the Lord. She opened her heart to Him in such a humble way that it amazed me to see her grow so fast in her spiritual journey after all that she had endured.
Then again tragedy struck when one winter season not very long ago, she lost her husband. I began to wonder too what was God doing in the midst of this sisters life. How could she take anymore upon her soul? But she continued to grow in her walk and she grieved and grieved. She was down but she wasn’t out. You have to read her full story in her book: 2Grieve 2Gether for the rest of her journey. More about Denise’s story and how to purchase her book: www.2grieve2gether.org or www.amazon.com
Today, she is not only surviving, she is thriving! If you ask her I am sure she would tell you that she never would have dreamed that she would be in the place that she is today. Her story/book has just been nominated for: Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author with the 43rd NAACP Image Awards! (www.naacpimageawards.net) She wrote that book to help other survivors and supporters get successfully through the grieving process. She understood her purpose and destiny and she humbled herself to give to others. In the midst of that God has shown her favor. And because her mind could only image so much, God took over and helped her to – Dream Bigger!
The Butterfly Journey – Lisa
All glory to God. How wonderful when God turns pain to gain.
Yes Glenda! Yes!
What an amazing testimony you shared about your dear friend!!! Her pain will not be in vain and her story will surely serve as healing and encouragement for many during their time of grieving. Ironically, I was asked by a friend to write why we should never stop dreaming for a special project. I am truly inspired. I love the question you posed that set the tone of the blog. “What does Faith have to do with dreaming bigger?” Such a simple yet important and impactful question, that really requires us to sit and think about. To dream big requires total faith because we will begin to walk on path we never walked before. Ezperince things, good and bad that we never experienced before. But we must keep going. So to dream is only the beginning. To bring a dream into manifestation, to watch it become a reality, your reality and to be bigger than you could have ever imagined, takes faith. Great blog!!!
Thanks Sharisa! I am glad that it inspired you because it inspired me as I have lived and walked beside my friend through the low and dark times and to see the hand of God just reach down and pick her up and place her in a place that she never would have dreamed of is priceless!
Bravo! Way to go! We all benefit and grow when we support one another AND we enrich our life experience too! CONGRATULATIONS on pursuing your passion while being a blessing to others. Clif McKnight Author if IF YOU CAN’T CALM THE WATERS LEARN TO RIDE THE WAVES -HOW- TO SUCCEED IN TURBULENT TIMES. P.S. wishing you both the pinnacle of success and happiness.
Thanks Mr. McKnight, I agree and God has been good to us!