Whose Dream is it?

It seems that true followers of Jesus often have dreams

 for their lives that are unexplainable.  

These dreams or desires come from the very depths 

of the soul and are a part of who the person is.  

The dreams may flow a little vaguely sometimes 

or they may be perfectly understandable. 

But they are deep within.  

Some would call them callings for a life.  

It’s a drive that is unexplainable, but I believe 

it is formed in a person’s heart by God.

   It is interesting that often these dreams,

 put into us by God, are asked to be relinquished.  

I’ve experienced it.  

It’s as though God says, “I’ve given you a dream.  

Are you willing to let it go?  

Are you willing for there to be only Me 

and no other gods, or dreams, higher than me?  

Are you willing to let go of what runs deep inside you?”

   These times in life are defining moments of our faith. 

We have a choice.  Will we believe God 

or will we elevate the dream that we hold so dearly, 

that is so much a part of who we are?

   Think of Abraham and the promised calling and 

dream in his life – his son, Isaac.  

Abraham’s dream was from God.  

He was asked to give it up.  

Consider Moses and his deep heart of compassion 

for his people bound in slavery.  

His dream was to help his people.  

But God took him away into the wilderness 

where he worked as a shepherd as his people 

toiled in oppression for another forty years 

while Moses learned to trust. 

   But the Giver of the dream, 

the One who is more valuable than the calling, 

is also the Giver of Life.  

After the seed of a dream is given up, is buried, and dies,

 God gives it life. 

It’s at this point that the Christian knows this dream

 is no longer his own.  

It is only God’s to do with as He pleases.

   God often asks us to prove that He is all we need.  

We need no identity in a calling or mission. 

In fact, we are not even worthy of the calling.   

We need no fulfilment other than the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

   When a calling is surrendered and rebirthed by God,

 it is His alone.  

We are free, not bound to a dream within ourselves,

 but bound only to Jesus Christ.

“Not that we are adequate in ourselves 

to consider anything as coming from ourselves, 

but our adequacy is from God.” 

2 Corinthians 3:5

Hans and Kimberly -- Wedding

Hans and Kimberly were married on the second weekend of May.  It was one of the very best weddings I’ve ever attended!  The day was typical of spring in Virginia.  It was warm with every growing thing making its best spring showing.  The guests could enjoy that beauty with the ceremony and reception held outside beside a pond and a rustic barn. 

We also enjoyed two short thunderstorms!  And, in my opinion, that is what made Hans and Kim’s wedding so fantastic and memorable.  The wedding party and guests just rolled with the punches and the coordinators did a great job!  Everyone seemed to loosen up and enjoy themselves!

One of Kim’s bridesmaids, Sarah, created

 her dress that they designed.  

It was lovely!

The flowers were done by the bride’s aunt. 

The couple’s first look.

We took some photos at the ceremony location 

and in downtown Lynchburg.

Photo of Hans by Marla Martin.  

Marla was my second shooter at this wedding, 

and I enjoyed working with her again!

photo credit: Marla Martin

Just as the ceremony was beginning, 

after the mothers had been seated and the music 

was playing, we realized that those clouds were

 really not going to go around us.  The preacher 

stopped everything and asked all the guests to 

make their way to the barn.  The rain was upon us!

The guests crowded into the barn, and someone 

led songs while we all waited for the storm to pass.  

Then everyone headed back outside, turned the

 straw bales over since they seemed to be drier 

on the bottom, and the ceremony 

started up right where we had left off!

The decorations were beautifully creative.  

Kim had made hundreds of flowers from

 coordinating fabrics that were used to decorate 

the bridal table and cake table.  

There were mason jars and other

 rustic accents too.

The wedding cake and groom’s cake 

were made by Rhoda Martin. 

You know it’s a great wedding when the kids are

 enjoying themselves just as much as the grownups! 

And again, just after the cake was cut, 

there was more thunder and another downpour!  

The cake was moved into the barn and guests had

 their cake and ice-cream inside. 

I was honored to photograph your wedding, Hans and Kim,

and wish you God’s best in your life together!

 May you honor Him!