This article is the second in the Dreams Trilogy. Please check out the first article, “Lost Dreams,” on Writing to Inspire. The third article will be featured on Little Blossoms for Jesus on July 17.
“Elusive Dreams” begins now…
While some dreams are lost, others are elusive. Those sorts are like a carrot on a stick, always drawing us closer yet never letting us grasp them in full. They torture us in their inability to be fulfilled for one reason or another.
One such dream I’ve had is getting married. While I have come to terms with this now, thanks be to my Heavenly Father, that wasn’t always the case. For years and years, I prayed and wept and wondered why I hadn’t yet met my husband-to-be. Where could he be? What type of job did he have? Had we bumped paths but not yet connected on a personal level? Every day seemed to be dim at best and agonizing at worst, because I couldn’t obtain this elusive dream.
It was a monumental struggle to determine what God had in store for me where this dream was concerned. The one thing that seemed to work more than any other for me, in addition to heartfelt, urgent prayers, was to focus on Paul’s statements in Philippians 4:10-13, in which he says, in part, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (NKJ).
The key to coping with elusive dreams and eventually finding that you can let these dreams go is to pursue contentment with the God Who loves and cherishes you. Believe me (or Him, actually), He has fantastic plans in store for you. Take a look at Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJ, which says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
If I’m seeking God with all my heart, then getting married doesn’t matter to me anymore. Why? Because God is all I need to be content with my lot in life, whatever that may be. Single, married, a mother… all of it is acceptable to me if I’m content in God first. Will I ever be married to the man of God’s design, who I feel was promised to me by God when I was in the fourth grade? I have no idea, but God does. He knows. And I trust Him to tell me when it’s the right time.
Contentment is how I conquered the yearning for that elusive dream that plagued me. It’s been a years-long journey, but every ounce of it has built my trust and confidence in God. He definitely has the best plans, and I want only the best he has in store for me, whether or not that equates to getting married.
In my new novella, The Cottage on the Hill, one of eight stories in Wild Blue Wonder Press’s debut anthology, Springtime in Surrey, Adrian has an elusive dream of his own. Throughout most of his life, he’s yearned to have a sheep farm just like his uncle’s. Instead, God has led him here and there, never landing anywhere for long, but always with a short-term goal to accomplish. His big struggle is to come to terms with the fact that the sheep-farm dream might never come true.
Honestly, he doesn’t like that idea very much.
As the writer of his story, it was hard for me to watch him struggle when I already knew the secret of contentment. It was so challenging to hold off on letting him discover that secret for himself, to not rush his journey. Yet again, every moment of angst was worth the final product. His struggle feels so genuine and authentic to me, perhaps because I’ve lived it. I’ve experienced an elusive dream and fought long and hard to reach it before finally laying it at God’s feet and deciding that it’s okay if I never reach that goal I wanted so badly.
Let me tell you, that was not easy.
But it was worth it.
Every prayer I cried out was one more step toward feeling worthy and faithful and content. Each time I reminded myself of Paul’s words on contentment pushed me closer to obtaining that key for myself. There is no telling how many buckets of tears I wept over this elusive dream, but every single one has gone into the tapestry of my life. I wouldn’t trade any of the heartache, sorrow, or anguish, because each of them has led to a closer relationship with God and a contented heart that no longer desires to get married in the same desperate way it did before. Instead, I’m joyous to serve God in whichever ways He has planned for me—even if that means never obtaining my ever-elusive dream.
The third and final article in the Dreams Trilogy will be featured first on Little Blossoms for Jesus on July 17.
The Springtime in Surrey Tag
Have you ever participated in a bookish tag on Instagram or Twitter?
They’re pretty fun. You find books that match the categories and post pictures of them to your social media, remembering to use the hashtags for the bookish tag.
We have one for Springtime in Surrey, hosted by Katja H. Labonté, this month. The instructions and original graphic are posted on her blog, Little Blossoms for Jesus.
Feel free to snag the graphic above and get your books set up and photographed (or borrow the book covers from Goodreads like I did) and let us see what books fit the categories for you.
The hashtags to use for this bookish tag are #TheSpringtimeinSurreyTag and #WildBlueWonderPress. We would appreciate it if you also tag our hostess, @KatjaLabonte.
If you participate on Twitter, you could also tag me: @screenwriter87. That way, I’ll get to see your lovely pictures as well.
I’m participating in this bookish tag on that account. Here’s one of my entries:
Blog Swap Schedule
Please visit any or all of the following articles on the dates given or after. Feel free to share them with your friends, too.
Note: There was an issue with some of the links being broken recently. I have corrected those now, so all the links should take you to the appropriate articles. Please let me know if you come upon an issue. I am still waiting on some of the links, so please hang in there. They are coming.
June 19
Grace A. Johnson on Lilacs & Reveries
June 26
Rachel Leitch on Little Blossoms for Jesus
July 3
Kellyn Roth on Little Blossoms for Jesus
Kellyn Roth on Writing to Inspire
July 5
Rachel Leitch on Lilacs & Reveries
Grace A. Johnson on Prose Worthy
Kellyn Roth on Of Blades and Thorns
July 7
Andrea Renee Cox on Of Blades and Thorns
July 8
Rachel Leitch on Resting Life
July 10
Rachel Leitch on Of Blades and Thorns
Rachel Leitch on Writing to Inspire
July 12
Katja H. Labonté on Lilacs & Reveries
Katja H. Labonté on Of Blades and Thorns
Kellyn Roth on Prose Worthy
July 15
Katja H. Labonté on Resting Life
July 17
Andrea Renee Cox on Little Blossoms for Jesus
Erika Mathews on Of Blades and Thorns
July 19
Andrea Renee Cox on Prose Worthy
Erika Mathews on Lilacs & Reveries
July 22
Kellyn Roth on Resting Life
July 26
Katja H. Labonté on Prose Worthy
July 29
Grace A. Johnson on Resting Life
August 2
Erika Mathews on Prose Worthy
August 5
Andrea Renee Cox on Resting Life
August 7
Grace A. Johnson on Little Blossoms for Jesus
Grace A. Johnson on Writing to Inspire
August 9
Andrea Renee Cox on Lilacs & Reveries
August 14
Erika Mathews on Writing to Inspire
August 21
Erika Mathews on Little Blossoms for Jesus
Katja H. Labonté on Writing to Inspire
Launch Team and Blog Tour Sign-Ups
The Launch Team and Blog Tour sign-ups are still open, but they close tomorrow. Would you like to help us celebrate the release of our new collection Springtime in Surrey?
Join the Launch Team!
Join the Blog Tour!
About Springtime in Surrey
This collection of novellas, set in County Surrey, England, features both historical and contemporary stories by new and old authors!
Springtime in Surrey contains the follow eight novellas:
Jesus, I Am Resting by Faith Blum
An orphaned young woman must fight to survive after WWI breaks out, praying her beau doesn’t die on a foreign battlefield like her father did years ago.
The Cottage on the Hill by Andrea Renee Cox
A former ballerina seeks hope amongst her lost dreams, as a sheep farmer tries to bring her joy.
If I Knew You Were Coming by Bailey Gaines
An exhausted mother balances her duties to both her biological and evacuee children with preparation for an unexpected visit from her soldier husband.
Her Heart’s Home by Grace A. Johnson
A destitute woman is pursued by an unexpected suitor and finds blessings from God in the way she least expected.
The Tussie-Mussie by Katja H. Labonté
A disgraced debutante flees to the country, only to meet a reclusive writer who may change her life forever.
The Odd Duck Society by Rachel Leitch
An insecure university student returns to a tea shop after a mysterious letter summons her there.
Fear Not Tomorrows by Erika Mathews
A hard-working sister-of-seven struggles with contentment as her marriage is postponed by her fiancé’s absence.
Courage to Stay by Kellyn Roth
A young bride chases her husband into the forest to rescue him from himself, which goes about as well as one would expect.
Book Links
Springtime in Surrey may be found at the following links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5QG75DK
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/157492074-springtime-in-surrey
Website: https://wildbluewonderpress.com/springtime-in-surrey/
About the Authors
Faith Blum is a wife, mom, author, and entrepreneur. She’s published over 30 books, most of them in the Christian Historical Fiction genre. She loves stories because they can teach history, but in a fun way. It is also her way to have a creative outlet while taking care of a household and toddler.
She’s been a proud small town resident her whole life and wouldn’t have it any other way. She lives in Central Wisconsin with her husband, son, and cat, Smokey. She’s blessed to write as a part time career. You can find her books on books on most eBook retailers.
When not writing, you can find her cooking from scratch, reading, figuring out social media content, or spending time with her family. She also loves playing piano for church and being part of the Author Conservatory.
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Blum/e/B00GSPBHW6
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/faith-blum
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7361997.Faith_Blum
Instagram: http://instagram.com/faithblumauthor
Website: http://faithblum.com
Born and raised in north Texas, Andrea Renee Cox is a born-again child of God who enjoys writing stories that inspire, copyediting fiction manuscripts, tutoring middle school students, and going on road trips with her family. Whether she’s working on historical or contemporary, women’s fiction or romance, she uses her skills in research and writing techniques—as well as a large dose of prayer and guidance from God—at every turn in the journey to produce the best story of her ability every single time. Her books may be found on her website, and readers are welcome to follow her blog for the latest updates in her journey.
Website: https://andreareneecox.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/andreacox
Twitter: https://twitter.com/screenwriter87
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/andreareneecoxauthor/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/andreareneecox
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/andrea-renee-cox
Bailey Gaines is a Georgia girl who loves history. Through her writing, she hopes to show how God works in all periods of history, bringing healing and helping people know they have value because of their identity as a human created in God’s image. Her stories range from King Richard the Lionheart’s England to 1930s Appalachia to 18th century England to 19th century America.
Bailey is a student of the Author Conservatory, and has a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When she’s not writing, she’s helping homeschoolers with their writing or working at an escape room. Her hobbies include playing the piano, sewing, and exploring the world of vintage fashion.
Website: https://baileygaines.com/
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/cf13616f41ce/fountain-pen-letters
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baileygainesauthor/
Grace A. Johnson is a Christian fiction authoress, book reviewer, and avid reader. She lives in beautiful (but humid) South Georgia, surrounded by farmland and forestry, with her parents and six younger siblings. She has indie-published the first three novels in a Christian historical romance series, the Daughters of the Seven Seas, and a smattering of short stories and novellas, as well as a devotional. She’s also a marketer and editor who loves helping young authors through her editing business S&J Editors and her small publishing company Sky’s the Limit Press. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook @graceajohnsonauthor or blogging on her website at www.graceajohnson.com. Join her for a virtual cup of tea and a free preview of her debut novel when you sign up for her e-newsletter!
Website: www.graceajohnson.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/graceajohnsonauthor
Newsletter: www.graceajohnson.com/newsletter
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/graceajohnsonauthor
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/19003396.Grace_A_Johnson
BookBub: www.bookbub.com/profile/grace-a-johnson
Facebook: www.facebook.com/graceajohnsonauthor
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/graceajohnsonauthor
Katja H. Labonté is a Christian, an extreme bibliophile who devours over 365 books in a year, and an exuberant writer with a talent for starting short stories that explode into book series. She is a bilingual French-Canadian and has about a dozen topics she’s excessively passionate about (hint: that’s why she writes). Katja writes both contemporary and historical fiction, as well as non-magical historical and contemporary kingdom fiction, and covers themes of worth, love, peace, and Christian growth. She spends her days enjoying little things, growing in faith, learning life, and loving people. You can follow her life journey, find free books, browse her services, and more on her website and blog.
Website/Blog: littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com
Bookstagram: instagram.com/oldfashionedbooklove
Goodreads: goodreads.com/oldfashionedbooklove
Tumblr: https://tumblr.com/blog/oldfashionedbooklove
Pinterest: pinterest.ca/oldfashionedbooklove
Amazon: http://amzn.to/3WE7D15
Newsletter: https://sendfox.com/katjahlabonte
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/katja-h-labonte
Rachel Leitch discovered the book of writing when she was seven. She’s been turning pages ever since! She lives her own adventure in northern Indiana, with her parents, three sisters, two brothers, and a dog who thinks he’s the hero of her story. She writes young adult historical fiction with a dash of adventure or a spark of magic. When she’s not hidden away writing, she’s trying to fit all her reads on her shelf in a somewhat organized manner, obsessing over character arcs, drinking chai, daydreaming at the piano, or teaching students to be just as bookish as she is. In all her adventures, she learns how to shine brighter for the Father of Lights. For more bookish ramblings (and a free digital short story involving a magical violin) follow her adventure journal at https://racheljleitch.com/!
Website: https://www.racheljleitch.com/
Newsletter: https://www.racheljleitch.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/racheljleitchauthor
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rachel-Leitch/author/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/37037221.Rachel_Leitch
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rachel-leitch
Erika Mathews is an author and editor who writes family-friendly Christian living books, both fiction and non-fiction, that demonstrate the power of God through ordinary people, transforming daily life into His resting life. Her works include Truth from Taerna, a kingdom adventure fiction series with deep spiritual themes, Resting Life, a Christian living nonfiction book about finding rest in Jesus in modern life, and a variety of historical fiction and poetry.
Erika lives in the farm country of Minnesota with her husband and children. She’s a homeschool graduate with a Bachelor’s in Communications, a Master’s in Biblical Ministries, and a passion for sharing Jesus Christ and His truth. When she’s not working with books, she enjoys reading, outdoor activities, piano and violin, organizing, and using the Oxford comma.
Website: https://restinglife.com
Newsletter: https://restinglife.com/signup
Facebook: https://facebook.com/erikamathewsauthor
Instagram: https://instagram.com/erikamathewsauthor
Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/erikamathews
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/erikamathews
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/erikamathewsauthor
Kellyn Roth is a historical romance & women’s fiction author who writes about the empty places where hope has the most room to grow. Her novels include the inspirational Victorian family saga, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, and the Kees & Colliers series, which follows a broken family in the tumultuous years of the first half of the 20th century.
Kellyn is a student of the Author Conservatory and a writing coach. When not building her author career or her indie-author-helping business, Wild Blue Wonder Press, she is likely getting lost somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with her friends, watching period dramas and facetious comedies, or spending time with her husband.
Website: https://kellynrothauthor.com/
Newsletter: https://kellynrothauthor.com/newsletter/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/kellynrothauthor/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/kellynrothauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kellyntheauthor/
Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/kellynroth
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/kellynrothauthor
Books to Read
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Short Stories
Want to read free short stories? Explore my short stories page.