Dreams. We all have ‘em. I’m talking about the kind we have when we’re wide awake.

Children can teach us a lot about dreams. Think back to your own childhood. Ever say something like “I want to be a doctor when I grow up.” Or “I want to be a Mommy.” Or, “I want to have my own restaurant and make all the stuff I like to eat.” When a kid speaks up about a dream they usually don’t mince words. They express their desires without reservation or self-judgment.

So, when was the last time you heard a responsible adult—include yourself—say something about a personal dream? For example: “I thought about being an electrical engineer . . . I’d like to travel abroad . . . I want to paint . . . write . . . dance.”

Here’s the problem—most adults I listen to or talk with have pretty much given up on the idea that “dream” and “adult” go together. “Dreams”, they say, “are fine for kids, even healthy. For me? Not so much.”

Here’s my question: what happened between the first spark and the gradual flame out?

We allow life—the distractions, challenges, responsibilities—steal our dreams.

At first glance that seems like a good idea. Until we realize we’re closer to the end of this amazing journey than the beginning and time is finite.

For example:

  • We try something early on and fail. So much for my dream.
  • The voices outside our head tell us to get serious. So much for my dream.
  • The voices inside our head point out are faults and weaknesses. So much for my dream.
  • In our efforts to do what we need to do we forget about who we are as a unique person. So much for my dream.

Sadly, we don’t usually get too far into adult life before the dreams we had in our youth begin to fade. Too risky, we believe. Too irresponsible, we tell ourselves.

And yet what if the seeds of those dreams, planted so long ago, are just waiting to be given life? What if we made the choice to trust our Creator God and do our part—water them with faith, embrace them with hope, let the Divine bring them into the light?

Here’s the thing. Maybe you won’t ever be a professional with letters behind your name, however, you can be the hands and feet of kindness and compassion to the hurting. Maybe you won’t ever see your artwork hanging in the Louvre, however, you can paint a mural to encourage a troubled soul. Maybe you won’t be a chef at a Michelin Four Star restaurant, however, you can learn new recipes and prepare a tasty spread for a room full of hungry people.

There’s no doubt life can be plenty difficult at times. Enough so that we feel the best choice we can make is to ignore the quiet voice of our dream. But listen again, listen deeper. What you may discover is a part of yourself that longs to be given the opportunity to make that dream a reality.

Could I give myself time to listen and give voice to my dream?

How do I feel about trusting God to help me make my dream come true?

God invites us to be childlike—can I let go and trust the Divine to lead me?