The Dreamer - Part I

GENESIS 37 – 47

 The story of the dreamer is one of drama, suffering, hope, dreams, and destiny. I don’t think I can identify with Joseph directly. In the sense that, well, I don’t have 10 brothers that want to kill me. Joseph was one of his father’s favorite sons. His brothers hated him because of that. Then Joseph had dreams. Big dreams. Dreams that seemed crazy to his brothers. Dreams that made Joseph’s brothers feel even more hatred and jealousy, than what they felt because of their father’s favoritism towards him. They thought Joseph thought he was better than them. When Joseph tells them of his dream, these feelings grew stronger. Note: Joseph never told his brothers he was better than them, never flaunted anything in front of them, never (from what I’ve read) says anything to indicate that he is outright better than them. Here was this “kid” (Joseph was 17 years old at the time), who has a dream about him and his brothers binding sheaves (stalks of cut or harvested grain that have been bound together). In the dream, Joseph sees his sheaf rise and stand upright, while his brothers’ sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to it. After he told his brothers this, his brothers said “Do you intend to rule over us? Will you actually rule us?” I’m pretty sure a bit of hostility increased in his brothers’ heart there (just a little). First, their father favored Joseph, and then he tells them that he had a dream where their sheaves bow down to his. Joseph has a second dream and proceeds to tell his brothers: “..the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” Joseph also told his father about this dream and his father rebuked him and said, “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” I’m pretty sure they thought he was cray cray. Here is this kid who has these huge dreams and he innocently tells his family about them, and his father even rebukes him and tells him, you really think that’s going to happen?! Come on now, Joseph, stop eating before going to sleep. That’s obviously what’s causing these crazy things to come up in your brain. (Lisette Version) On a personal level, I’ve felt that way. At the beginning, I said I couldn’t relate to Joseph because I don’t have 10 brothers that want to kill me. Well, I CAN relate to him in this sense, I have BIG dreams. Sometimes, I will think things or see things in my head, and I actually think to myself, “Girl, you crazy. How will you get there? Do you actually think THAT’S going to happen?” I, myself, act like Joseph’s brothers and father. It’s scary to have dreams that, you feel, are so much bigger than you. But it happens, and when it happens, there are people that will tell you that you’re crazy. That you don’t know what you’re talking about. I find it interesting to note that Joseph didn’t really refute what his brothers and father said. He stayed quiet. In the silence, God moves. God speaks for us, so we don’t have to. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when we will have to speak up and defend ourselves and the God dream He has put in our hearts. But, there are times when God will speak for us, and he may not actually speak through words but rather through how and where He takes us, in life. He speaks volumes in the silence. He speaks volumes in the process. Just learn when and how to learn, wait, and listen. 

Love Always,  

Lisette

P.S. Part 2 of “The Dreamer” coming soon!

The Real on Resolutions - 2018

I would love to lose 30 pounds in the blink of an eye. I would love to have my house clean 24/7. I would love to wake up VERY early every day and go walking/running. I would love to be able to cook/meal prep breakfast, lunch, and dinner for my husband, promptly, every day. I would love to have time (and energy) to put a full face of make-up on every single morning. I would like to be Peggy the Pepster, and have a pep in my step, and a smile on my face every moment of every day. I'd love to pray more, read the Bible more, be a better friend,  be a better wife, be a better stepmom, be a better daughter, be a better sister.  I'd love to wake up every day and do what I love, and love what I do. Friends, this short girl (I'm 5'2'') has a long list of New Years' Resolutions and Dreams. Is there anyone else out there who feels motivated and hopeful at the beginning of the year but then right when you fail in the steps to accomplish the goals set-up on January 1st, 2018, you feel disappointed and doubtful of yourself? I know the whole resolutions thing can be a little overwhelming, especially when you find yourself failing at any one of them, or finding out that it will take ALOT of work, and dedication to accomplish just one of those things you set yourself out to do (never mind if you're like me and have about 99 of them). Yes, I have dreams and goals for this year but the truth is, to accomplish anything that is worth while in life, it will take hard work, dedication, patience, and determination. I believe the resolutions shouldn't last only until the second week of January but should be present throughout the year. I encourage you today, to keep working on those goals you set out to accomplish this year. I know it's only the 4th day of the month but, I can guarantee that I have already failed at one, if not many, of the goals I have for myself this year. I know that it can get to be discouraging but keep pressing forward. If you fail, get back up, and try again.

P.S. You may not need so much encouragement on only the 4th day of the month, so if you'd like you can come back and read this post in a couple of weeks when you REALLY can't see the light at the end of the resolution tunnel.

Love Always,
Lisette

TJ Maxx - Favorites under $10 (+ Free Shipping)

TJ Maxx is easily one of my favorite stores! They have many high quality brand products for lower prices. I am linking some of my favorite items under $10, from their website, below. These would make great stocking stuffers or small gifts to tag onto other great gifts (for those who are slightly behind and haven't finished their Christmas shopping- you are not alone, "last minute shopping" may or may not be my middle name). There's only a few more hours left of free shipping for these items!

ECCOLO 2018 Endless Possibilities Agenda

SAND AND FOG Etched Mercury Glass Candle (Under $8 - Comes in 2 different colors)

COUNTRY MARKET Made In India 4pk Cutlery Placemat Set (Under $8) 

STEVE MADDEN Pebbled Leather Money Clip (Under $7)

MONA B Up Cycled Small Live Work Create Pouch  

WORLD OF JOURNALS Faux Velvet Journal (Under $7)

NANETTE NANETTE LEPORE Rfid Flat Card Wallet ($8)

OPI Barefoot In Barcelona Nail Lacquer (Under $4)

LEMON 2pk Cozy Bunny Ski Socks (Comes in 4 different colors)

  

OLIVIA MILLER Fair Isle Knit Clog Slippers

These are only a few of my faves! There are so many things to choose from. This is the link to the page with all of the items under $10. Happy Shopping!