Dare to Dream

A 99 year old Dutch lady, Annie, and 102 year old Edie in St. Louis fulfilled their dreams by getting arrested.  (As reported by CNN 3/1/17)  Annie wanted to “experience a police cell from within.” She had the time of her life “when she was picked up by police, cuffed and locked up.” 

According to the news report, Edie requested that she be arrested at her senior center while she was delivering her handmade craft items.  She probably wanted to make sure her friends witnessed the exciting event. 

These are two ladies whose “bucket list” aspirations are definitely unique and not what I have in mind for my 100^th birthday.  In my braver moments I want to ride a zip line or sky dive, but the older I get the less likely either will happen.  I have enough aches and pains from just a day of shopping at the grocery store or mall.

The FOX 13 TV Station in Tampa featured the following story.  “96 Year Old World War II pilot takes flight again in Florida.”  Adventuresome Bob Brocklehurst, gave a thumbs up as he took to the air in a P-51Mustang like the one he flew for the military.  During the war he was stationed in Alaska for two terms protecting the Aleutian Islands from the Japanese. After 70 years, he was not content to just co-pilot the plane so he took the controls for a loop and a barrel roll. According to Bob, “I felt right at home.”

P-51 Mustang

My late bloomer husband and private pilot husband, Charles, definitely has this on his “dream list.”  Charles wasn’t a military pilot, but helped to taxi and repair many types of military planes while he was in the Navy.  His dream is to get back in the pilot’s seat of a general aviation aircraft that he has built.  

The lesson I plan to teach this Sunday during children’s church is about Simeon and Anna—two senior adults in the Bible who saw their dreams fulfilled.  When Mary & Joseph brought Jesus to the temple when he was eight days old to be presented to the Lord they were met by Simeon—a righteous and devout man who yearned to see the “consolation of Israel.” He recognized Jesus as the one who had been promised as the “glory of Israel” and “a light for revelation to the gentiles.”  Anna, a widow and prophetess at the temple, prayed for many years to see the “redemption of Israel.”  God fulfilled both of their heart-felt dreams when they were allowed to see and hold the infant Jesus.  Luke 2:29-32  (Quoted  from the English Standard Version of the Bible)

A dream is defined in the English Oxford Living Dictionary as “A cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal.” 

Do we dare to dream and think about the plans that God still has for us?  Like the prophetess, Anna, we must never lose hope that God will answer our prayer.  Like Simeon, we need to listen to God’s instruction and be available when given an opportunity.  Remember, if it’s a dream God has placed in your mind and heart—He always shows up on time.   Keep praying and waiting.