A friend of mine spoke from a position of success when she said, "God can dream bigger dreams for you."

A wave of truth echoed in my heart as I listened to her stories. She shook alive my hope for a measure of her success, even if only a small portion of it.

The truth is, some people will listen to my friend's stories, and they will believe. They will become motivated and press on and will achieve a level of success beyond their current status. But others will fall away. They'll meet with resistance and allow their good dreams to die in crib death (an unexplained death, maybe smothering, maybe the dream child just stopped breathing.)

Sometimes it seems I am on the highway of "Dreams Come True." But all too often I allow myself to fall into the "pot holes." The potholes are the places of discouragement, a place where people grab you by the arm and say, "You don't really want to do that? I don't think that will happen. Why don't you just stay in your comfortable little place and forget about those dreams?"

Sometimes when I'm in the potholes, I find myself getting run over by the "Betters." The "Betters" are the ones with more. They have more experience, more education, more personality, more squeaky-clean living, and even more opportunities. I look at myself, and I see the "Betters," and I think, "There's no way I can measure up." And yet, if I look up there's always going to be somebody better than me. I can't measure myself against them. I have to measure myself against my own dreams.

So, what do I do about the "Betters", and the "pot holes", and falling away from the highway of "Dreams Come True?"

First, I must realize that the "Betters" are really nice people. Some of them have their nose in the air and walk all over you with jealousy and judgment, but most of them are like you and me. They have come from a low position, all started out naked as babies, and have gained through circumstance, opportunity, or tenacity and hard work. Whatever their means, you can remind yourself that you too can be in a better place than you are today. One day you might be a "Better" like some of the ones you admire. And if that happens, if you reach that place, remember there are still those who are yearning to reach the highway of "Dreams Come True." Remember to help them along.

In the mean time, we may still be dealing with our "potholes." These are the discouragements and discomforts that get you down, on occasion flatten your tires and leave you feeling like the journey is hopeless. Sometimes there are people who will see you in the pothole and will help you out. More often than not, you will have to get yourself out of that pothole and fix the tire (or whatever) yourself. No sense moaning and groaning, whining and complaining about it. Get out there and do something. There is always something you can do to right yourself and get back onto the highway of "Dreams Come True."

And finally, the preferred journey of "Dreams Come True." Everyone has something they long for. Everyone has at least one dream they hope will come true. Do two things: write down at least one dream you hope for. Write that dream down and stick it in the middle of your Bible (the Psalms) or in a special place, like a "dream" box (a shoebox you've created for dreams) and then believe that it will come about. The second thing you need to do is, reflect on your life and ask yourself, "Have any of my dreams come true? Has anything I ever dreamed, happened?" The chances are you'll say, yes. Reflect on those things and take courage from your past. If it's happened before, it can happen again.

This week, I asked myself the question about dreams. At the beginning of the reflective exercise, I was thinking, "Not many of my dreams have come true." But then, I began walking through my life history, counting down the years. Birth (can't remember), year one (can't remember), five years old, (ah, I remember something), six, seven, et cetera. As I walked through the years I was reminded of many dreams that became realities. Some of them big, some of them small.

One of the big dreams was gaining the job at the Toronto Star (Canada's largest newspaper). It started off as an idea, that grew into a dream, which became a reality. No jobs were posted, or advertised, looking for applicants for a position at the Toronto Star. But I had an idea, a dream, a vision of myself working at that newspaper. So, I began calling the human resource office asking, "Are there any positions available?" I spoke to a lady by the name of June, who after the third call telling me there were no jobs, one day said, "I think we have something."

Two jobs were offered and I took the one of receptionist, thinking I was not skilled or qualified for anything else, although I dearly wanted to work in the newsroom. Working as a receptionist, June saw something in me that I did not see in myself and offered the position of assistant to the financial news editor. I was afraid to take the job, but June insisted that I at least try it for two weeks. I did, and it turned out to be one of the best jobs I ever held. It provided me with skills, experience, and long lasting friendships. It also provided me with wonderful memories that continue to give pleasure. I had a dream, and my dream was fulfilled.

Recently, I was reminded of the importance of writing your dream down. It's absolutely amazing, how after writing the dream down, it becomes a reality. A little reflection this past week on the dreams that have materialized spurred me on and restored hope. If those dreams came true, why not more? God's supply has not been exhausted yet, and I suspect it never will be.

Write your dreams down, lift yourself over the potholes and don't concern yourself about the "Betters." Just believe that one day you're going to be there too.