Childhood Dreams

Do you remember when you were little and you dreamt of one day becoming a ballerina or, if you're a guy, maybe a cowboy? Playing make-believe in your living room, dressing up, and actually believing that you were whatever you decided to be that day. I think most five year olds' dreams are limitless. They know that nothing is out of reach. Then, twenty years later, life happens. You grow up. And you realize that maybe it isn't as easy as it was when you were five. Maybe, somewhere along the way, those dreams got so tangled up in reality that you don't even know what your dream is anymore. And you just wish you could go back to being five.

Sound familiar? It is for me.

I think growing up I had a lot of "dreams" that I wanted to see fulfilled, but never really knew that one thing that I was called to do as far as a career goes. I'm the girl that has many passions but doesn't know how those translate into the real world. I like writing and fashion and being creative and photography; and I have a heart for the homeless and for marriage ministry and women's ministry and...the list could go on. I get so overwhelmed at all the directions I want or could go that I end up standing still. In fact, I'm in a season right now where I'm doing just that. Not moving. Stuck in a place I never thought I'd be. Partly because I chose it based on decisions I made in the past. And partly, because the Lord is teaching me lessons through it. Pretty valuable lessons at that. But, I know that, at some point, I have to get up and move again. I was put here for very specific purposes, some of which have yet to be fulfilled. And I know as long as I'm breathing, God isn't through using me.

I only know a handful of people who are truly living out their "dream." And, I envy them. I need to learn from them. They are the ones who get up every day with purpose and intention in their hearts. I would venture to say though, that sadly, the majority of people fall into the other category. The ones still searching for their childhood dreams. Who desire to do something that has purpose and passion behind it, but don't know how to step out.

Lord, show us how to have child-like faith and give us grown-up courage to step out and fulfill the dreams You've put in our hearts. As if we were five again.