I can only imagine

Today being a snowed-in day, I was finally able to view the movie, "I Can Only Imagine." As I watched it, so many memories flooded through my mind. I identified so much with Bart, the character who wrote the song the movie is named for, that I spent the last 20 minutes of the movie in tears!

I can only imagine...

When I was young, I had an abusive mom. Day after day, from as far back as I can remember, I was always told that I was never good enough. That I wouldn't amount to anything. I too had dreams, and those dreams were always dismissed as never being important, that no one would care. Many would say, "I can't imagine growing up in an environment like that!" Yet...sadly, many do.

I can only imagine...

I was a daydreamer. I saw events happening in my day to day world and I would put together stories within my mind. I read books voraciously. I was satisfied being by myself, all the better to communicate with nature. I learned to appreciate nature and everything within it. My collie dog was my very best friend, one who gave love  unconditionally. I needed that more than anything.

I can only imagine...

As an adult, I fared little better. Now married to someone who again, told me that my dreams were not good enough, I pursued them anyway. I wrote letters to the editor which won awards, I received compliments on essays, church newsletters and more. People said, "you write so well, you should write a book!" I'd smile...and put that thought away. After all, I was told that I "wasn't good enough."

I can only imagine...

First my mom, then my dad passed away. Mom, after dealing with a cancer that took her life, maintaining it just long enough for me to come back home, care for her, forgive her and finally, three days before she passed on, she apologized to me. Dad passed away three years later...again, apologizing for his lack of action when I was young and being abused by mom. I was able to read to him from my first published book--yes, I went ahead with my dream! I wrote a book based on my very wayward setter dog, Patrick, despite being told that no one would want to read it, that writing was just "an expensive hobby..." and more.

I can only imagine...

Listening to the words of that song, we are lifted up. Lifted up in favor by a God who rejoices WITH us...encourages us and loves us just as we are....human frailties and all! We fall, we cry, but God's love shows us that when we are down, we don't have to stay down! We don't need to stay down. We are NOT who our parents said we were (we aren't!) We are not who anyone else tells us we are, either (we aren't!)

You are strong...you are wise...you are important!

You are a child of God.

I can only imagine...

Listen to your heart! Follow your dreams! Give your life over to God...allow Him to show you where you need to be...

I can only imagine...that if you do...your life will be filled to the utmost with many happy blessings.



I don't have to imagine...it IS possible...if only you believe!