The whole world watched in wonder and fearful amazement as we collectively held our breath and silently breathed a prayer for high wire artist Nik Wallenda this summer. Glued to the TV, I sat in my living room and was drawn into the unfolding events of his live performance, sure that I would be witnessing his death.
“Who dares to walk across the Grand Canyon on a tight rope,” I skeptically wondered.
I soon found out only someone who trains well, dreams big, and walks with Jesus. And when the evening was over, I was forever impacted by this circus performer and knew I would never forget what he taught me.
Family matters. Without the physical and emotional support of his family, Nik could not have lived his dreams. A father, a wife, an uncle, a grandfather. A whole circus ring of precious family and dear people who truly provided the safety net needed to keep going. I ask myself, “Does my family know I’m in their ring? Do they know I am their safety net?
Am I a safe person emotionally for my children, my husband, my circle of friends and family? Do I let fear rule the day or can I trust God with my children and their dreams, no matter how big or small, safe or dangerous?”
With each step, say “Thank you, Jesus.” Life is not easy. Walking across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope is no walk in the park, either. Some days walking by faith and not by sight is not so difficult, but other days it seems just as good to throw in the towel and give up. As Nik took each delicate, perilous step, he simply said, “Thank you, Jesus.” Each step. Step after step after step. As he slowly crossed the canyon, it seemed that he genuinely knew each step was a gift of God.
And somehow I was impacted by his walk as I walk this journey of faith, too. With so many difficult and unknown steps ahead of me, I want gratitude to well up in my heart much like Nik’s. I want to simply say, “Thank you, Jesus.” When the steps are easy, but especially when the steps are hard.
Dream big. Some dreams seem big. Others seem small. Most of my dreams, quite honestly, seem scary because I’m simply afraid of failing. And if I’m honest, I’m also afraid of what others might think and letting a few people down. Frankly, some of my dreams feel like the equivalent of walking across the Grand Canyon on a tightrope.
But after witnessing Nik’s life performance to a watching world, I am daring myself to grow courage and dream big again. To use the gift and talents and passions that God has uniquely given me. Not to my husband or to my parents or to my neighbor or to my dearest friends, but to me, Kara Butte, child of God.
I used to love going to the circus as a child and wonder about life as a circus performer. But then I grew up and got all practical and serious and perhaps somewhat stuffy about what it means to be a responsible adult. Watching a humble high wire artist live his dreams this summer encourages me to have child-like faith once again to unleash the artist in me. To value the community of people around me, to thank Jesus each step of the way, and to dream wild, wonderful, fearless dreams for the kingdom of God.
And this time, I might really want to run off to join the circus after all.
by Kara Butte, {circus dreamer} of His Story to Tell
Leave a Comment
Rosie says
Thank you, Kara!
Your words are really encouraging. And you’re right…
How often do I only watch at myself, only thinking about my problems…?!
Many times I forget to be a net for my family, sometimes really a net to rescue a family member.
Thank you for remembering me of what my family wishs that I should be to them.
Be blessed,
Rosie
Kara says
Thanks Rosie! We’ll never be everything to our families, but we can point them to Jesus who is EVERYTHING!
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Kara,
For all of us dreamers, Nik’s performance was an inspiration and as you said, he knew that each step he took was a gift from God. After extensive knee surgery and not being able to even put weight on my foot for 6 weeks, I know what a blessing a step can be. Lord, help me never to take each step for granted and to have a heart that says, Thank you Jesus!” with each step. Thanks Kara for a wonderful post!
Blessings,
Bev
Kara says
Bev-You are a living example of thanking Jesus for each step! I wish you joy in the journey.
Grammarox says
Thank you SO much for this encouraging word. I am going on a mission trip to Greece and the Ukraine in a few weeks and I could so relate to the fear of falling, of disappointing the team, of not being enough. The line that really caught my eye was “unleash the artist in me.” I am 60 years young and have recently started taking art classes – painting classes. I was scared then, too. Scared of making a mess instead of a painting, scared of failing. The Lord is amazing to meet me when I said “Yes” to the dream of being an artist. And I CAN paint! If He met me there He will meet me on the mission field. I am daring myself to grow in courage IN HIM! Thank you for the reminder that Ann Voskamp has taught me to Thank Him every step of the way, every day. Thank you for your timely words of encouragement. I needed them today!
Kara says
Unleash it in Jesus’ name!
Beth Williams says
Grammarox,
Congratulations on stepping out and taking art classes. Doing what you like at any age is what God truly wants for His children. To unleash some of the hidden talents He gave us.
Prayers for your mission trip. May it go well and everyone on the team be blessed by it. You will have memories to treasure for a lifetime!
Father God,
Bless the mission trip and workers going with Grammarox to Greece and Ukraine. Help them to be your hands and feet and show the world your love. Make this trip successful in every way.
AMEN!
Laura says
Thank you for this today.
Tiffany Nevil says
Oh Kara, my soul-friend. I am so encouraged by these words. I’m asking myself some of these same questions. I’m also asking myself if I can let go of all that seriousness that being a responsible adult brings? How can I be playful? How can I insert a little whimsy into my day and just let the simplicity of life be ok with me?
Thanks for your encouragement today my sweet friend!
Kara says
Ahh…soul-friend. My new pray is to learn to be more playful and less serious. Wish you were closer to do that with, Tif!
karyn says
I’ve been in a lot of tight squeezes in my life and have found I’ve come shining through them. Life is tough but when you think of all the not – knowing experiences that I never experienced, I would be less of who I have come to become today than all my yesterdays if I never stepped out and walked the thin line.
🙂
Good post btw.
Kara says
God is good, Karyn!
Anita says
Hi Kara,
Thank you for your encouraging post. I have recently began to dream big again, after discovering I had unintentionally stopped doing this for years. I love how God’s plan for our lives, is so much bigger than we can fully grasp.
Blessings
Angie says
Thank you for this post. It is definitely encouraging for me at the season of life I am in. I’ve become scared to dream and hope due to alot of shattered hopes and dreams. I’ve been so overwhelmed and beat down that I’m not even sure what talents, and abilities I possess anymore. But I’m beginning to rediscover and to dream again. Thanks for such a timely post.
Beth Williams says
Thank you for sharing this wonderfully timed topic. It is hard as an adult to dare to dream God-sized dream-with bills to pay, aging parents to worry over, jobs ,
etc.
Thanks for the reminder that it is never to late to dream big dreams for yourself or your family. Some of my crazy dreams of late have been to become a cook/chef. Maybe run a small company out of my house and do some cooking for people. I just love that. Have to wait and see what God puts on my plate!
Christan Perona says
“Most of my dreams, quite honestly, seem scary simply because I’m afraid of failing.”
So true for all of us. May we hold each other tightly and forever whisper the dare to dream big in each others’ ears. And if we fall, and if we fail, may we forever hold each other tightly just because. Grace to you, Kara.
Your mom says
Dearest Daughter, how have you grown so wise? I’ve always known how smart you were, and I have always known how your heart has longed to become more like Jesus. I have learned much from you as an adult and it is obvious how you are still growing as a disciple in Christ. I feel encouraged today through your writing which is a blessing at this new stage inmy life. Thank you! Love always, Mom