Writer Denis Waitley told a story about when he was a child. His father had left home. He was nine years old and the oldest boy in the family.

There was an army emplacement near his home during the war. In order to befriend the children in the area, the soldiers would give them little canteens and army helmets and gun belts. In return the children would do favors for the soldiers. They would run their errands, bring them candy, get them home cooking.

One day a soldier said to young Denis Waitley, "I want to take you fishing in a boat." Denis had never been fishing out in the ocean. He had always fished off a bridge. He was so excited. He sneaked out of his bedroom window, got his tackle box, packed himself a lunch and put it in the refrigerator, and at 4 a.m. he was ready to go with his fishing pole, tackle box, and lunch. There he was sitting on the curb, waiting. The soldier never came.

Denis says that probably was the turning point of his life. Instead of being either cynical or telling his Mom and his friends that the soldier never came, he got himself a one-man rubber life raft. After inflating it, he went down to the bay and pretended that he was launching this marvelous fishing boat. Then he went out in the bay where he dug some clams and caught fish and had what he called the most marvelous day of his life. That experience taught Denis an important lesson. We can't rely on others to make our dreams come true. If they are to be realized, we must step out on faith and accomplish them ourselves.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the great work you did in fulfilling God's dream. Guide me as I follow your example. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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