
Up, up, up we went. Above the sandy beach, above the waves lapping rhythmically onto shoreline. Over the wooden boardwalk, the hot dog vendor stands, the musicians performing for change thrown into a hat. Up in the sky we soared, above it all - above frayed palm tree leaves, alongside flying sea birds. Riding the Ferris wheel at the pier, my sister and I drank in the fresh ocean breeze blowing our hair. And as we ascended and descended, laughing and screaming at intervals, feeling like our little bucket in the sky might spontaneously flip over, sending us plummeting into the splashing water below - it did not. And soon, we settled into our seats and peacefully took it all in. The blueness of the sky, the sandy gold beach below, the faint sounds of the boardwalk life, that beautiful ocean outstreched endlessly toward the sunny skyline. Wide open spaces. Sometimes a girl needs 'em.

Riding in circles on it's colorful spindles and buckets, the Ferris wheel reminded me of something.... something I often forget: a little something called hope. You see, I am so often caught up in the "boardwalk" life below. I get lost in the shuffle, my thoughts drowned out by the city noise and blaring music, my dreams crushed by the smash of people and the push of the crowd. But up there - up near heaven - almost touching that blissfully blue sky? You're free. Free like the birds. To fly and sing... and dream. My littler ride on the Ferris wheel that beach day out with my precious family reminded me to dream. To not forget my dreams. To not let them get lost in the crowd, the craziness, and the confusion life throws at me.



that's us!
What are you dreams, darling? The big, insane, unbelievable one you scratched down in your old diary at age 15 and "forgot" about? The one you haven't told a soul...the one God knows. The one you're scared to death to run after. The one you're too afraid to pursue, because - what if it doesn't come true? But friend....what if it does?
I remember the pastor who planted the church I grew up in. I never got to meet him because he died of cancer before my family started attending his church. But as a little girl, I heard much about him and one day, I found one of his sermon tapes in an old church storage room. Later that night, I put it into my little tape player (yeah it was a long time ago) and I heard him say this: "What are you dreams??? Keep your dreams, man."
Those short words impacted my life as a kid. And now, I ask you - what are your dreams? Keep your dreams. Chase those dreams. Sacrifice for those dreams. Risk for those dreams. It's worth it, love.
I ask...
What stops you?
What keeps you from running wildly after that dream?
What holds you back?
What plants fear in your heart?
What keeps you from trusting the Lord with that dream?
Who is stealing that dream??
Keep chasing those dreams. Or for some of you - start chasing those dreams.
We found one of the pianos placed around Los Angeles...
it is there continually & anyone can play it.
Decorated with art and paper. Brilliant and beautiful.
me & Dad
beautiful Mom
married almost 30 years, still so in love!!
My dear readers, we serve a big God.
And when you serve a big God, I believe big things are possible.
Keep believing.
"Courage is not the absence of fear.
It is the judgement that something else is more important than fear."
-"Princess Diaries" {one of my old favorites quotes} okay, okay I know - don't judge...
point to someone you love.
***
Go - and do one small thing this weekend that scares you.
One step toward your dream.
XO. love to you.

{photos thanks to beautiful Santa Monica Beach!}
PS - you totally wanna come visit me in California now, dontcha?! :)
thanks erin for this.
ReplyDeletei must say.... i love how much you pour out into this blog.
it's blessing so many!
every day I keep asking God to EXPAND my dreams and also my capacity to handle the dreams he'll give me.
I have to be willing to work with the dreams he has in store for me.. am I really ready?! ahhhhhh it's terrifying at times, but God is SO good so I'm excited!!!
yes, I DO!
ReplyDeletegreat post! and so jealous of anyone who gets to have beach days! sadly they aren't possible in kansas city. i want to tag along on one of your's haha.
ReplyDeleteyou just have the bestttt wardrobe!! your so pretty(:
ReplyDeleteand I love ferris wheels. their #1 at the fair!!!!
x.
Oh what a beautiful family you have, Erin! Loved this post and thoughts on dreams. Too often we allow things to get in the way of achieving them, and this was a much needed reminder to go, dream and do! Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a wonderful weekend, beautiful girl!
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Ahh I love it! Such beautiful photos. And I totally want to come see you :)
ReplyDeletethis was such a simple, yet beautiful post. I almost feel like saying it's "simple" is bad, but it was the best word I could think of. Something as simple as following a dream, chasing it, is so sweet. Our sermon this a.m. in church was about trusting and going thru the open door that God has for us. Kinda like Noah did w/the ark - he didn't know why God asked him to build it, and 125 yrs later, he found out. But the point was, in his trying to get the people to come in, the door closed & they missed out. If we don't chase our dreams, the door may close on them one day. Funny - or divine that you posted this & I read it today. Thank you!! :) :)
ReplyDeleteyes, i totally wanna come visit you in you in california =) thanks for the inspiration... keeping my heart fixed on the prize, friend!! =)
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post, as always girl!! And OF COURSE i now want to come to CA, I always want to come and see ya ;)
ReplyDeleteMuch Love!
L
allglorious-within.blogspot.com
You inspire me Erin!! Love your kind spirit.
ReplyDeleteI am JEALOUS! I wanna take pictures of ferris wheels!! :(
ReplyDeleteps... you know i just freakin love you! so i put your lovely button up on my daily reads :)
i love this, Erin. & i have wanted to visit you in CA for a while now! we will make that happen soon!
ReplyDeleteThis actually brought a tear to my eye. Sometimes I feel like my dream is too big, but i'm learning that my God is bigger than any dream and any fear. Thank you so much for this awesome encouragement!
ReplyDeleteLove, your newest follower, Rebekah
thanks so much for your sweet comment! xo
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