Dream Again · Sarah

As humans, we are wired with a desire to pursue goals and live for a worthy purpose. Although many people associate dreams with childhood or youth, they ignite passion and provide a sense of direction, guiding our choices and decisions. Whether it's traveling the world, achieving career milestones, starting a business, or building a family, dreams infuse life with energy and expectation. However, life sometimes takes unexpected turns, and dreams are suddenly upended.

Dreams can perish in the wake of loss, unemployment, sickness, failed relationships, uncertainty, or unforeseen setbacks. Nothing extinguishes dreams quite like the agony of unfulfilled promises, for "hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Proverbs 13:12). Sarah found herself in such a state, longing for the fulfillment of her dream to bear a child. Her laughter at God's promise was born out of years of dashed hopes. Like many married women, Sarah once harbored dreams of motherhood—of cradling her own child and nurturing it into adulthood. Yet, for years, it seemed like a distant fantasy.

She witnessed her maidservants bearing children while she remained barren, a painful reminder of her own unfulfilled dreams. She even resorted to giving her maid to her husband—a practice of the time that nonetheless tested her faith. To compound her anguish, she watched as her husband, Abraham, prayed for the household of Abimelech to be blessed with children (Genesis 20:17), while her own prayers went unanswered. She endured deep emotional turmoil, with few to share her burden.

Many women today, like Sarah, grapple with fear and doubt in the face of dead dreams. Many of their aspirations have been overshadowed by the achievements of friends, spouses, or loved ones. Others have buried their dreams beneath the responsibilities of adulthood. In the midst of everyday chaos and life's storms, some can scarcely recall what their original purpose was. Yet, Sarah's story serves as a beacon of hope for us all. God is still inviting His beloved daughters to trust Him to breathe new life into seemingly dead dreams.

Consider the story of Nora Ephron, who penned the iconic film script When Harry Met Sally...

at age 52, proving that creativity knows no age limits. Helena Rubinstein launched her cosmetics empire at age 60, leaving an indelible mark on the beauty industry. These women faced repeated disappointments and closed doors but refused to relinquish their dreams. Their stories are testaments to the power of perseverance and a reminder that dreams can be realized at any stage of life.

So, why not start with thanksgiving? Be thankful for life, for what still remains, and for what God can bring out of your situation. Gratitude has the remarkable power to unlock the closed wells of our hearts, allowing the waters of hope and expectation to flow once more. Then, dare to dream again—imagine, write, recite, and ponder. Like Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus, believe that the power of resurrection can revive your dead dreams. If you’ve lost sight of your dreams or never dared to dream, now is the time to awaken that dormant spark within you.

Sarah’s story didn’t end in despair, and neither will yours, because nothing is too hard for the Lord.