Andy was growing up, outgrowing toys and childhood habits—but not his deep connection to Woody. Woody was his favorite, and Andy was Woody’s. As summer approached, Andy eagerly prepared for camp, just as he had done for years, never leaving Woody behind. With excitement, he grabbed Woody, swinging him high in the air, celebrating their tradition.
But in an instant, their joy turned into heartbreak. A tear. Woody’s arm ripped, and just like that, Andy’s excitement shifted. He placed Woody on a shelf, leaving him behind as he rushed off to camp without him.
It’s a moment that mirrors real life. How often do we find ourselves reaching for something we love, only for it to tear apart in our hands? A relationship. A business deal. A long-held dream. The pain of unexpected separation can leave us feeling discarded, forgotten, or even betrayed.
In Psalm 126, the people of Israel spoke of a time when they had lost everything, yet God restored them:
"We were like those who dreamed again."
They were torn from their land and captivity had stolen their hope, just as life’s disappointments can make us afraid to dream again. But God specializes in restoration. He promises to mend the tear.
Healing the Tear
Sometimes, we hurt one another without fully realizing the depth of the wound. Like Andy unintentionally tearing Woody’s arm, people unintentionally—or even intentionally—cause harm. Instead of doing the work to repair the damage, some choose to walk away. Others, like Woody, are left on a shelf, feeling abandoned and broken.
I know what that feels like. I once had a business deal that could have made me a multimillionaire, but betrayal cost me the opportunity. I’ve felt the sting of rejection in relationships. I’ve experienced the devastation of an adulterous affair in my previous marriage. Each of these situations left a tear—one that only God could heal.
And He did.
God’s promise is not just to comfort but to restore—to fix the tear so we can reach again.
Reaching Inspires Others
Yesterday, I was grocery shopping when I spotted my favorite black bean tamales on the very top shelf. They were just out of reach, but I was determined. I stepped up into the freezer section, stretched as far as I could, and grabbed them.
A man nearby had been watching me closely. As I stepped down, he said, “Had you not reached up there, I would have never looked that high to see those.”
That moment struck me. When we reach for what God has for us—even when it seems impossible—we inspire others to reach, too.
If life has placed you on a shelf, if past wounds have made you afraid to try again, God is calling you to dream again. The pain may be real, but so is the healing. The tear may have happened, but God is restoring you to reach again—not just for yourself, but for those who will follow your lead.
So reach. Stretch beyond the hurt. Go after what God has for you. And as you do, you’ll inspire someone else to dream again.