When I was a little girl, I watched cartoons every day after lunch. Casper, Mickey Mouse, Sylvester & Tweety, among others. (Yes, I’m dating myself.) That hour was the highlight of my day, and often a movie would come on afterward that was just as exciting as the cartoons. My mother was one of the original work-at-home moms, so undoubtedly she needed a little time to herself. She was my hero, and I had no greater dream in life than to be HER when I grew up.
One afternoon, The Mummy came on just after cartoons—the black-and-white version with Boris Karloff. Mom discouraged me from watching it, but somehow I insisted the club-footed, toilet-paper-clad monster wasn’t scary. And really … he wasn’t. Not even to a little girl. Special effects have come a long way.
However, the un-scary monster turned uber-scary in my dreams that night, and I cried out for my mother who came and patted my back until I calmed down. After that, I vowed to stick with cartoons, but wouldn’t you know it, that mummy haunted me for weeks. I’d lay in bed every night, unable to sleep.
Because I was afraid of dreaming the mummy dream.
Fast forward forty years. (Yes, I’m dating myself again.) By that time, I had achieved my lifelong dream of being a work-at-home mom. Yay me! While I didn’t allow my kids to watch horror movies, I didn’t hesitate to set them in front of Sesame Street so I could have a little time to myself, especially to … READ. In fact, I spent so much time reading, that I found myself dreaming about writing a book of my own.
But, oh my goodness, who did I think I was? I didn’t know anything about writing. I hadn’t been especially good at it back in school. And I certainly didn’t have a college degree. Besides I had already achieved my dream, and I was living my happily ever after. So I talked myself out of trying.
Because I was afraid of dreaming the writer dream.
However—just like my mother had done all those years before—God patted my back until I calmed down. Then He surrounded me with friends and acquaintances who encouraged me to give writing a try. He opened doors in places I didn’t even know to look, and finally … he gave me a nice little shove.
Now that I’m looking back from the other side of the road, I can see His footsteps walking next to mine all along the way. And isn’t that how it always is? Even when we’re afraid, even when we think we can’t do it, even when we’re up against obstacles that seem insurmountable, God is with us.
Helping us be brave enough to dream impossible dreams.
“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11
The Mended Hearts series focuses on three women whose dreams have been shattered. The final book, Jilted, tells the story of Lynda Turner whose husband abandoned her and their young daughter fifteen years before.
Hope awakens for Lynda when a local ex-convict shows interest, but having been jilted more than once in her life, she’s now afraid to dream that love could be a possibility. As long-hidden secrets resurface, Lynda must fight for her emotional stability and for a life in which the shadow of shame is replaced by the light of love.
She must be brave enough to dream the happiness dream.
Jilted will be available in bookstores June 1, but you can pre-order now. And through May 31, the eBook is HALF PRICE. Grab it while it’s cheap!
Varina Denman writes stories about the unique struggles women face. A native Texan who spent her high school years in a small Texas town, Varina now lives near Fort Worth with her husband and five mostly grown children. Her passion is helping others make peace with their life situations. Varina’s Mended Hearts series is a compelling blend of women’s fiction and inspirational romance. Connect with Varina through her website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.a Rafflecopter giveaway
