Lily's Closet: Dreams Do Come True

This is Madison (see picture on right).  She lives down the street from us and our kids have gone to the same school.  Like many teenage girls, Madison loves to shop.  She enjoys hanging out with friends and having a good time.  Madison also is passionate about using her gifts to serve the world and to make a difference in the lives of others.

A few years ago, Madison began to think about how she could turn her own interests and passions into a way to bless others.  Since she enjoys shopping, she began to think about all of the girls her age who don't get the opportunity to shop in a nice clothing boutique and pick out the clothes they would enjoy wearing.

A vision for Lily's Closet began to be birthed in her heart.  As she prayed, sought the counsel of trusted people, and talked with her parents she began to see a clothing boutique designed exclusively for girls in foster care.  A place where Middle School and High School girls can come and shop- for free- and in the process have someone to talk with and pray with if desired. A boutique designed to help girls know that they are loved by God and by others.

Yesterday was the open house for Lily's Closet.  The facility was donated to Madison and her team, and after many months of hard work, the space has been updated and decorated to create a special shopping experience.  As my daughter and I walked through the door yesterday for the open house, I immediately sensed that good things were going to be taking place there; life changing encounters, words of encouragement and blessing, deposits of Hope and Love into the hearts and minds of young girls.

It was moving for me personally to see such a beautiful example of how dreams do come true.  Lily's Closet began as a dream in Madison's heart several years ago.  Lily's Closet is also a tangible example of how God uses us right where we are.  Our own passions and interests can become the very thing that God uses to demonstrate Love to others if we are willing to be a vessel.

What is it you love to do?  What do you enjoy?  What do you care about?  It's likely that mixed up somewhere in all of that is a vision waiting to be birthed, a dream to be fulfilled.  Or maybe you have a younger person in your life that you could encourage to step into their own passions and dreams.  Either way, I believe that's how God works... using our own unique design to impact the world around us in tangible, real ways.

"And why worry about your clothing?  Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow.  They don't work or make their clothing.... and if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers.... he will certainly care for you." (Jesus, in Matthew chapter 6)