Out of Reach?

I was getting ready for work one morning, and I found my little dachshund, Ginger, climbing up a chair in our guest room trying to reach a stuffed Santa that was hanging from the ceiling.  There is no way she was going to get that Santa, but she would do anything possible to get it.  She was on a chair trying to climb up the back of it.  What a little monkey!

At times she will do this with a stuffed animal, and will be successful at reaching it and subsequently pulling all of the stuffing out of it.

So full of life, so full of hope, so full of stubborn ambition.

They say a pet reflects the personality of it's owner, though.  (Or maybe it's the other way around?)

I find that mostly to be true.  And I admire that little dog's persistence.  No matter how often she's looked at the possibilities and seen that there's no way to climb any higher, she keeps looking for an option, keeps trying to get higher.

Similarly, I've been told no so often.  By a person, by a circumstance, by a bad grade, by a lie.... and so many times, I've listened.  But....

It just so happens that God has a way of bringing hope and encouragement into a circumstance when there seems to be no more hope available.  And each time this happens, I climb back on the chair and look and tug and pull to try and find a way to reach my Santa. 

Here's my encouragement for you: listen to God's urging, His encouragement, not those around you.  He has a plan that most cannot see or understand.  And he has placed the desires for that plan deep inside your heart to let them grow and blossom there.  And don't give up whenever you are knocked down.  You've got this.  You can do it.  By God's grace and favor, you will make it to your dream or goal.

Trust in the Lord and do good.  Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.  Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart's desires.  Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust Him, and He will help you. - Psalm 37:3-6