Well, my apologies, y’all! I never posted in August. OOPS!

The month of August is always completely insane ‘round these parts. Four of my five children were born in August (yes, FOUR birthdays—and all within 8 days of each other!) That means presents, parties, decorations, fancy dinners, and school celebrations…times four.

On top of that, like everyone else, August is back-to-school season. Which means school supplies, lists, backpacks, and new clothes.

And to make things extra fun, my husband is a school administrator. Translation: he works long,seemingly endless hours all month while I try to manage everything at home. 

By the end of August, I am DONE. BURNT TO A CRISP. HANGING ON BY A THREAD. DYING A SLOW, PAINFUL DEATH.

Honestly, maybe I *shouldn’t* even apologize for skipping the August post, because if I had written it, it might have come out mildly ragey. Lol!

But here’s the thing—this month of overwhelm actually ties into what I want to share with you now. Because if anyone understands the downside of a dream, it’s me.

Of course, I wanted these kids. We prayed and asked the Lord for them. And then we asked for more. We have five for a reason, and I adore them with every nook and cranny of my heart.

But having five also means months like August—months where I want to pull out every strand of hair from my head in sheer overwhelm.

Yesterday, as I was driving, an analogy hit me that encouraged me, and I thought may encourage you, too.

I passed a neighbor’s house and noticed the homeowners outside, exhausted, ripping down broken, splintered pieces of their white-picket fence and repainting the rest.

And it made me think: when people say they want “the white-picket fence,” they’re talking about The Dream.

The dream house.
The dream car.
The dream family.
The dream job.

But here’s the truth: even if you get the dream, while there will certainly be glorious aspects, there’s also always some broken, peeling fence pieces on the other side, too. In other words, every bright dream has a shadowed side. 

I’ll give you some examples:

• Even if you get the spouse, they will sometimes drive you crazy. What you once found endearing may now make you want to climb the wall.
• Even if you get the kids, they’ll push you to your limit. They’ll whine, argue, disobey, and sometimes break your heart in ways you never imagined.
• Even if you get the dream job, it will come with challenges—long hours, demanding bosses, travel, or exhaustion you didn’t anticipate.
• Even if you gain the influence and fame you desire, your once-private life may unravel as you struggle to hold on to any sense of normalcy under the weight of your newfound public recognition.

Whatever your dream looks like, if you’re thinking, “Once I get that, everything will be better,” I want to gently remind you:it won’t. 

Eventually, some part of that dream will let you down. 

Psalm 16:11 ESV says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is FULLNESS OF JOY; at your right hand are PLEASURES FOREVERMORE.”

The Scriptures *don’t* say that there is fullness of joy at the achievement of a long-held dream. While it can be enjoyable, it doesn’t produce full joy.

Rather, there is fullness of joy found in Christ’s presence and in letting Him fill us to overflow with His peace.

In other words, if we have Him, we have enough. He will provide us with pleasures forevermore. 

So here is your gentle reminder: 

Chase Christ. 

Chase His will for your life. 

He knows the desires of your heart. Nothing is hidden before Him. Bring those desires to Him and submit them before His presence. Take some time to confess before Him if you’ve unintentionally made those desires an idol. 

And start over again. Ask Him to fill you with peace and joy in His presence.

As you rest in Him, you’ll discover the fulfillment you’ve been searching for—with OR without the eventual achievement of the dream. 

Til Next Time,

Liz

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