It was finally our turn to breathe.
The lists had been made, the bags were in the trunk of the car, the bed & breakfast was booked, the sitter was at the house with our kids.
We kicked off our four days away together with an anniversary breakfast out at one of our favorite local spots, and the coffee had barely been poured before we started talking about life.
How tired we were.
But how good it was.
How challenging the days were.
But, mostly, how blessed we were to be living it all.
Before our food had even arrived, our conversation took a detour toward all the things that had been put on the back burner since our baby boy arrived a year before.
He mentioned writing.
And I sort of changed the subject because I knew there hadn’t been many words written. I told him how much I wanted the words to come, but they just weren’t there. He encouraged me to keep writing things down in hopes that maybe someday the blog would revive itself a bit.
I smiled.
And then I mentioned Indonesia.
Though we’ve been back in the States for seven years, it seems like our conversations still often end up here. It’s also no secret to him how much of a place those people still hold in my heart. He knows the ache I experience some days. And he’s seen the tears that fall, too.
But we know it’s not meant to be right now…that God has placed us where we are for a purpose. And we love it here, too.
But there was something in that conversation…as we reminisced and talked about all the changes since…that gave me freedom, and so I kept talking. Kept sharing my heart.
About how I wanted to open a coffee shop. A fair trade one that supports Indonesian farmers.
Even as I spoke the words, it felt so big. The kind of big for a dream that made it feel almost unfair to speak because it seemed so far off. So impossible. And, also, I thought he’d laugh.
But he didn’t.
He smiled. And then he said words that breathed life into my dreams more than he will ever know.
Do it.
What?!
Do it. I think it’s a great thing to shoot for. Do some research and figure out what comes next.
That part of the conversation was quickly followed by my daily reality…the fact that life right now is giving what I have to my husband, seven-year-old daughter, and becoming-a-toddler boy. There’s not enough left over to do much dream chasing.
We talked about that, too, and how even if this is just the very beginning of a dream…I should still take the next step. Ask the questions, drink the coffee, make the connections, drink more coffee. All things that I can do. Especially the coffee part. 😉
I could tell you more, too. About how, within the next week, God set up two very specific appointments for me, both involving fair trade and coffee.
We had a great getaway together, and we hit the ground running once we returned home. Honestly, other than some prayers, I haven’t chased my coffee shop dream down much more. But I have thought a lot about that morning…and the one thing that’s stuck with me since I poured my heart out and dared to speak that dream to my husband.
But let’s put on our brave pants and our superhero capes and say them anyway.
Because maybe God has something big on the horizon. I mean, His faithfulness is great, He’s a good Father…and I know I can trust Him with my dreams, both the ones that feel safe and the ones that seem scary.
And I kind of can’t wait to see what happens with this one.
Shared by: Mel Schroeder
Joanne Viola says
October 2, 2017 at 8:20 amMel, I love this post. I cannot wait to see how God unfolds this dream for His glory and to the help of many Indonesian farmers. I hope you will keep writing and sharing this story as it unfolds. Blessings!
Mel Schroeder says
October 2, 2017 at 10:29 amThank you for the sweet encouragement, friend. I can’t wait to see what God does with it all, too. 🙂 Have a wonderful day!
Michele Morin says
October 2, 2017 at 9:24 amMel, I don’t have an entrepreneurial bone in my whole body, but this dream of yours is just glorious. I hope you will keep on dreaming and that you will also begin the “doing” that will bring it all into BEING! So thankful that you spoke the dream and that your husband affirmed you in your dreaming.
Mel Schroeder says
October 2, 2017 at 10:31 amHa…the entrepreneur side of it all is probably what scares me the most! Thank you for the encouragement to begin the doing part…can’t wait to see what HE does, too! Blessings to you, friend…have a beautiful day. 🙂
Bethany Mcllrath says
October 2, 2017 at 9:47 amLove this Mel! I’ve been afraid of my husband laughing at a dream too– humorously once I tried to get him to participate in a dream without telling him what it was. That was a mess and awkward until I finally admitted my “super secret dream” to him. And like your husband- he didn’t laugh. He jumped in to help more. It’s been all the sweeter for it. Thanks for this encouragement to not be afraid to say it. Hope to hear more about God’s leading in your dream in the future!
Mel Schroeder says
October 2, 2017 at 10:33 amThanks for sharing this…I know I’m guilty of underestimating how supportive my husband actually can be once I just tell him what I want. 😉 Thanks for reading and for your encouragement…I hope there will be a lot more to share about this soon! Blessings…have a great day! 🙂
Becky Hastings says
October 2, 2017 at 10:45 amIsn’t it amazing how sometimes God uses the other people in our lives to believe the dream for us? Keep dreaming big, but at the same time, just keep doing the next thing. Wishing you all the best!
Mel Schroeder says
October 2, 2017 at 12:09 pmThanks so much, Becky! Blessings. 🙂
nylseesahc says
October 2, 2017 at 12:24 pmI can’t wait to hear about your coffee shop and the blessing it will be to others. I have some dreams and I’ve shared them with a select few but they are coming to fruition and they are God-sized.
Mel Schroeder says
October 4, 2017 at 12:08 pmBlessings to you as you chase those dreams and all that God has for you! Thanks for being here. 🙂
Alice Walters says
October 2, 2017 at 8:13 pmBravo, Mel! How brave of you to speak your dream, because it IS so scary. And claim the title that goes with your dream, be it merchant, or advocate, or whatever you envision. Prayers and blessings as you launch your great adventure.
Mel Schroeder says
October 4, 2017 at 12:12 pmThank you, Alice! I appreciate those prayers…blessings back to you, too. Thank you for reading and for your encouragement! 🙂
Hopeful50 says
October 4, 2017 at 6:26 amSomething about this truly resonates with me. I wonder if a new dream is stirring!
Mel Schroeder says
October 4, 2017 at 12:13 pmOoohhh! Would love to hear more about it…when you’re ready to share! 🙂 Thanks so much for being here.
debbieputman says
October 4, 2017 at 8:44 amWhat a beautiful dream. You’ve inspired me to think about the small steps that lead to a big dream…because big dreams elude me.
Mel Schroeder says
October 4, 2017 at 12:17 pmIsn’t that so true? I think they become crazy overwhelming when we think too much about the whole picture…it really is just about taking the next step of obedience. Thanks for being here today, Debbie. Blessings! 🙂