One of my fondest memories as a young girl was to get the Christmas Catalog in the mail and spend hours poring over every page, making a list of what I wanted Santa to bring me, and just believing he would. And then, on Christmas morning, it was there. The Barbie Townhouse, just as I had circled in the book and wrote on my list. I never stopped to question how it would get there? What route Santa would take, if he’d have enough room in the sled, I just knew he’d come through like he always did. Maybe, just maybe, this holiday tradition of Santa Claus is a good parable about faith in Jesus. When we go to God in prayer we are called to “believe” (Because Emmanuel Lives I Expect Victory Every Time) – that’s having Faith that his promises will be Yes and Amen. Let’s see what the bible says about that….

“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” – Matthew 21:22

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” – John 14:13

“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” – John 16:23

“If you abide in me, and MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” – John 15:7

“Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe you have received them, and they will be granted to you.” – Mark 11:24

As adults we often stop dreaming and start trying to figure out how God could really deliver those requests on our spiritual wish list.  We put limits on God and we forget that “His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts higher than our thoughts.”

When did you stop dreaming?  Thankfully, though at times appearing like I’d lost my ever-loving mind, I never did.. (and boy am I glad!)  I heard Pastor Lawrence ask the congregation once, “Do you have a big God or a little God?” I knew my God was a Big God! I knew he would open doors no man could shut, and shut doors no man could open. I dream and ask like I have a BIG GOD and you know what? He is faithful and just to deliver!

Just like our Christmas List we wrote as a child, every year I write out a “vision board”. Habakkuk 2:2 “ Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.”

In 2013 I wrote out my first “Wish List” and hung it on the bulletin board in my office. Now keep in mind, at that time, I had just re-dedicated my life and was starting my journey. I had less than a handful of friends, was isolated and pretty much alone. The list was comprised of the following bullet points:

• Write and Publish a book: Published in 2016
• Platform to speak to women and encourage them: book signings led to speaking engagements at Christian Women’s events.
• Own a home:  was living in an apartment at the time and a home seemed out of the question anytime within the next 10 years. In 2016 I bought my first home, on my own! (Which is now for sale due to my recent marriage. Anyone interested in a nice home in the Eastgate area?) 😊 God needed to remind me HE was my provider before bringing me a husband.
• Be able to purchase the groceries for the person in front of me at the store when the don’t have enough money:  That had happened in 2013, and I couldn’t help. By the time 2016 rolled around? I had bought many groceries, cups of coffee, and meals for random strangers when the Lord nudged me to.

There was another request or two listed that have been left unanswered. Looking at the list? Everything that was part of God’s plan for my life and to further the Kingdom? He wrapped in a pretty bow and delivered, just like I believed he would.  He delivered on a much quicker time frame than I could’ve ever imagined.  You pray, you ask, you wait, you wait, and then boom!  Quick, fast, and undeniably God – He moves!!   I’ve continued this tradition every year, making it a sort of “Goal/God Wish List” and every year? I am able to mark off things He was faithful to deliver.

At a women’s prayer meeting at my house we made “vision boards”. About 3 months into these, and the women praying for God to fulfill their requests, the text arrived from my dear friend Marcy… “Kris! Do you remember what was on my vision board?!? ALL of my children are now enrolled in a Christian School! God made a way for this to happen!!” There were more items coming to fruition in the months that followed.

As we approach the Holiday Season I encourage you to take time to dream and believe again!  We serve a big God my friends!!