Crunch. Crunch.
No, it wasn’t the sound of a crisp apple being bitten into, it was what I heard beneath my feet.
While walking along the seashore this morning, I could hear the scrunching of shells under my shoes. The noise actually bothered me, and here’s why and the thought that continued to consume my attention.
As I glanced up and saw people searching for shells, I thought, “Oh my! I could be crushing someone’s shell!” That judgement led me to ponder on “Am I a dream crusher or a dream maker?”
Think about it. In life our attitudes, comments, and actions can discourage or encourage someone to reach their dreams.
When I decided to be a “dream maker”, I chose to walk along a different path. Just a couple of steps in one direction change the noise from crunch to peace. I even noticed a beautiful shell, picked it up, and was going to bring it back with me. But…when I noticed an adorable little girl and her brother, walking with their mother and grandmother, holding their shell bags, and adding shells to their collection, I walked over and handed the shell I found to the little girl. Her eyes lit up! The smile that came across her face was priceless. As I walked away I could hear her telling her mom about the shell from “that lady”.
When I reach the point of the island, it was time to turn back. I glanced down and saw a brilliant blue shell. The girl’s little brother came to my mind. I bent down to get the shell, and was hoping to run into that family again. Sure enough, I saw the brother skipping along the beach. While making sure his mother saw me approaching him, I said, “I gave your sister a shell earlier, and now this one’s for you.” His face gleamed with excitement and he simply said, “Thank you.”
I walked away feeling grateful for God’s whisper to be a dream maker.
Then…how cool!…thoughts of what people do with their shells creatively started flooding my mind. I glanced over towards the sand dunes and someone had hung numerous shells on a dead tree. It was as if it was a great big dream catcher. I had already walked passed this way before, but I must have been looking in the direction of the water. It was like God saying, “I take broken things and make them beautiful. I can make what once was dead into a masterpiece.”
Oh, friend, He can and does!
We are all broken in some way. Before you become a Christian you are dead. He brings life! He makes us all beautiful! We are his masterpieces!
I pray that you will choose to be. A dream maker today. Encourage others (and yourself). Smile and love life.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
So encourage each other and help each other grow stronger in faith, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
We should think about each other to see how we can encourage each other to show love and do good works. 25 We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing. No, we need to keep on encouraging each other. This becomes more and more important as you see the Day getting closer. Hebrews 10:24-25
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
