Tag Archives: dreams

My Success is Not What I Envisioned

No…that isn’t me in that picture, but it perfectly describes my life at this moment.

I am a married woman with three kids who homeschools and manages the home—a homemaker. I am also a woman who conducts low-key business operations on the side—a businesswoman. While I wear these hats, the one I don the most is homemaker. Fifteen years ago, you wouldn’t have been able to convince me that I’d be where I am today: “stuck” at home cooking and teaching kids, when I used to prefer to “hustle” and contribute more financially. My success is not what I envisioned.

But I say these words like “stuck” and “hustle,” so how do I view this as a success? Well, God. He made it a success.

What is the definition of “success”? The Oxford dictionary states that it is the “accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” There are many things that I could consider a success based on this definition, but what about you? What is YOUR definition of success? Is it graduating from high school and getting a high-paying job? Buying a house with the white picket fence? Or getting married and starting that picture-perfect family you’ve always wanted?

Now, some of you may not find being a homemaker a success. Not everyone wants to be home teaching children, cooking, and cleaning all day long. Admittedly, I don’t want to sometimes, but my situation (challenging as it is) is a success. I’ve made a few fumbles years ago, but by God’s grace, He has placed me exactly where I need to be. My family and I have been placed in the best possible position.

If you know my family and me, looking from the outside, you’d probably think otherwise. You’d have your opinions and make your suggestions on what we should be doing instead. We may not have what most have, but we’ve been blessed by His grace. Through His grace, I’ve been able to find peace and forge a deeper relationship with the One who saved me. Success doesn’t always look like what the world dictates.

Is your definition of success worldly?

The world doesn’t tell you to follow Jesus. The world tells you to follow your heart. It doesn’t teach you the truth. The world teaches lies. The world would rather you live “your truth” than follow THE truth. We chase fleeting things instead of eternal life. Worldly success is temporary, but salvation is forever.

I am successful because I walk in the will of the Father (Eph. 5:15). I am successful because I believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am successful because the Holy Spirit lives within me (1 Cor. 6:19). This doesn’t mean I have it all together. It doesn’t mean life doesn’t have its struggles. It does mean my salvation is secure (Eph. 1:13–14). I will forever be grateful that He hasn’t forsaken me.

This success is not what I’d envisioned. I desired worldly wisdom and believed it offered what was best. I set my mind and heart on the things of this world, grasping empty pursuits. What is life but a vapor (Jm. 4:14)? What is life when you realize death isn’t really the end? Set your mind on what is above (Col. 3:2) and seek holy wisdom instead.

When you set your mind on the things of God, you’ll understand what I’m proclaiming. When you realize the world has nothing to offer you, success looks and feels different. Your success is not what you really think it means. Accept and walk in His truth, and realize it will not be what you envisioned either.

Within The Ark: Are these the Days of Noah?

It was a gloomy and cloudy day outside. It looked like it was beginning to rain. I remember standing and looking up at a ramp to an entryway. An old man with glasses was standing at the top of the ramp. If I could describe him, I’d say he resembled “The Architect” from The Matrix. Where was I? When was I? I don’t know, I didn’t think nor ask those questions when I looked at the ramp.

Without thinking, I gravitated toward the entrance, and the old man started fading into the darkness. I suddenly found myself inside this place peering outside a circular-shaped window. The old man’s face reappeared and obscured my view, but this time it was faint like a fading image. He started to speak about things I don’t remember. Maybe he was giving a history lesson, I don’t know. I haven’t a clue. Whatever he was doing, it was highly effective. I hadn’t realized I was on a boat with the entrance closed. The old man stopped talking and his face completely faded. I finally had a full view out the window.

I could see a city. You know those cut scenes in a movie where you see a sky view? It was like this, and I saw the name of the city and state. I was in Annapolis, Maryland, but I’d never been there before. As I gazed at the city, it quickly became dark and started to rain. In time, the entire city of Annapolis was underwater.

Not long after, the rain stopped. I could see clearly since the rain was gone. There was a stillness to the water, and I could tell the sun was slowly trying to come out. I remember looking at one of the buildings underwater and seeing what looked like a rod bearing a cross at the top. At that moment, it registered and sunk in – I was floating above the city.

I felt the rocking motions. I heard the waves roaring as they moved against the boat. I heard creaking sounds from the wood of the boat. It all felt so real! After all my emotions set in, I turned my attention to the ceiling. There was an opening at the top of the boat. What I saw and felt was even more amazing.

I saw the most beautiful blue sky, and it felt warm. A feeling of peace, comfort, and security captivated me. What caught my attention the most was this strange cloud. I don’t remember seeing a cloud like this one before. It was thin and wispy. I was so close to this cloud that I could’ve probably touched it. I reached out to touch the cloud, and suddenly, my vision turned black.

I got pretty upset. I desperately wanted to feel that feeling again. That peace. That warmth. The security and comfort. It was a feeling I never wanted to depart from. I also wanted to keep watching this cloud, and the sky.

After being in my feelings for about 3 seconds, my vision returned where I could see the sky again. After that, I woke up! 

This was 2 – 3 years ago and, I didn’t know what it meant. I am a dreamer, and I love making attempts to interpret them. People say that God doesn’t speak in dreams or that these things are a thing of the past. God is the same today, yesterday, and forever. So, I beg to differ. I think I may have an idea now. I believe that these are the days of Noah.

What do you think? Are these the days of Noah? Or is this something else? If you would like to see my logic, follow me and look out for my next post.