by Tari Faris, @FarisTari
I know it is February and the New Year talk is finally dying down but this is a question you should always be asking yourself.
A few years ago, I was at a writer’s conference and Robin Jones Gunn talked about dreaming big—praying big, asking big. This is something God has challenged me over and over on since then. You see I don’t like to ask big or really ask at all. Because if I ask, then the answer might be “no” and I’ll be disappointed. It is easier to have a whatever-you-want-Lord attitude.
But God is a big God “who is able to more than we ask or imagine.” (Eph 3:20) He wants to give us good things, but he doesn’t just want passive people. The whatever-you-want attitude always reminds me of the scene from a movie I watched it many years ago, Coming to America. (No, I’m am not recommending this movie.) When the prince is ready to meet his soon-to-be bride, she likes whatever he likes and does whatever he tells her to do (it is a very humorous scene and you can watch the scene here. )
My point is that God doesn’t want passive robots or people bouncing on one foot barking like a dog. He wants us to have dreams and passions. He wants to give us good gifts. And the gift isn’t as meaningful if we don’t ask for it. Imagine the same scene in the movie but this time the girl tells him she loves strawberry shortcake. How much joy would it have given both of them for him to run out and get her what her heart desired.
When my oldest was about, ten there was one LEGO set he wanted more than any other, the Rattlecopter. We heard about little else for the days leading up to Christmas and when he opened it, let’s just say it was one of the best memories I have of Christmas morning. He got other gifts that he enjoyed but there is something about having a deep desire granted. God wants to do that for you but we need to be willing to lay out those deep desires.
I have a list of big dreams. Some are writing-related like I want to publish more than 50 books and win a Carol. Other dreams are just a little out there like meeting Candace Cameron Bure. But they are all things that I need God’s help in achieving. A miracle, one could say. I have a place where I keep a list of those big dreams, and some day, if they happen—when they happen—I will write the date on the back and probably act like my son with his Rattlecopter.
I do recognize that sometimes the answer may be “no.” And if you have ever prayed and asked for something only to have it come back as a “no”, then you know it hurts. But that is the price of laying your heart out there, remembering that God knows best. Even a painful “no” can be used for good in your life. But when the “yes” comes, you are the kid on Christmas with the LEGO Rattlecopter.
So let me ask you, how are you dreaming big this year? Are there things that are on your list that only God can do?
What Secrets Are Hiding Behind the Doors of this Small Town?
Real estate agent Hannah Thornton loves the historic community of Heritage, Michigan. Unfortunately, selling houses is not one of her fortes. She sees each house and the larger town of Heritage as something to be valued, not sold-off to the highest bidder. When a business mogul arrives in town determined to exploit the land and build a new strip mall, Hannah is determined to stop him from bulldozing her town’s past. At first no one supports her efforts—not even her best friend, Luke. Can Hannah help the town of Heritage see that true value lies in the things you cannot put a price tag on?
Even though Luke Johnson has grown up in Heritage as a foster child, he never truly felt like he belonged. Anxious to earn his place in the town and in Hannah’s heart, Luke applies for the job of assistant fire chief. But Luke does not anticipate the interview process to unearth secrets from his past he has kept carefully hidden. Will the pain of being honest be worth the risk? Can he pull down the walls he’s erected around his bruised heart?
Tari Faris has been writing fiction for thirteen years but has been creating fiction in her head as long as she can remember. She signed with Revell for her debut novel – You Belong with Me – which will be released in September 2019. She is represented by Wendy Lawton at Books & Such Literary Management and is a member of ACFW and My Book Therapy. She was the 2017 Genesis winner, 2016 Genesis finalist, and 2014 Genesis finalist. In addition to her writing, she also work for My Book Therapy as a special project manager and blog coordinator for LearnHowToWriteANovel.com . When she is not writing or working, she spends time with her amazing husband and kids. In her free time, she loves coffee, rock hounding with her husband and kids, and distracting herself from housework. You can connect with her at www.tarifaris.com