Mused and Amused

I found myself dreaming last night, go figure.

Aside from the typical dreams occurring throughout my tossing and turning from about 11 pm to 8 am, give or take two hours on either side, I found myself creating some sleepless dreams. I imagined myself graduated (though I didn't even consider my GPA or class rank). I was researching apartments in Salt Lake City, UT. My career plans? Dog walker. I found myself (for lack of anything less trivial to do) literally looking up apartments in the Utah area and pretending to start my own walking business. I got a few price quotes from google search engine and added them to Evernote (my virtual catch-all). Apartments: $500-600 a month (compared to $900 a month from Beaumont, TX—thanks a lot Texas!). Dog Walking prices: $15-$25 per walk per dog (30 min. to 60 min.). While this would be a great job option, I thought, it definitely would take a lot to cover monthly rent (let alone food and bills). Of course, if I walked 5 hours a day (one dog per 45 min.), 5 days a week, I'd make $500 a week ($2000—roughly—a month). In addition to this fantasy added to the inevitable bucket list of my life, I was also considering opening a small, artsy store incorporating zest for life and creative hobbies. I think I'll call it REcreation or Active Arts. What do you think? I'd make and sell picture frames, plaques/paintings, and tea (along with posting a sign-up sheet for avid and newbie walkers to join me when I'm dog walking). Well, I thought it was a good idea. :)

After I finished constructing my plans and exploring all the possibilities my imagination presented, I laid my head on my pillow and heaved a contented sigh. Suddenly, I was struck with a familiar verse: Eph. 3:20-21:

"Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

As I lay there quietly in my bed, praying, the word "think" specifically caught my attention. No doubt stimulated by the abundant thinking I had just participated in. I was awed by just how gracious and generous God is, and that when I think Him for "who He is," I need to make a habit of being less ambiguous. So, right then and there, I thanked God for who He was: An active and remarkably personal God who has designed the purpose of my life in such a way that it's beyond my imagination!

“'No eye has seen, nor ear heard,

nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him'

— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God." —1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Whether I'm this or that, or both or neither, I'm compelled to purpose by the touch of One far beyond my pensive musings.

"The mind of man plans his way,

But the LORD directs his steps."

—Proverbs 16:9