Last week at the Proskuneo School of the Arts we participated in a global facebook event called “The Dream Project.” We were asked to take photographs of each of the students and ourselves holding a sign that said “My Dream Is…” Each of us wrote our dream on that paper and shared it with the world. At first I had some trouble thinking what I would write.
But I wrote. “My Dream Is … to help others reach their dreams.” This is not a cop out for finding my own answer. This IS my answer. My job is listening. I get to listen to the hearts and dreams of young people. My job is praying. I get to seek God’s face for those He places on my path. My job is to be a cheerleader. I get to remind them that God is a BIG God with all the resources He could possibly need. My job is advocacy. I get to stand in the gap and hold to the hope that things will be better one day.
I have dreams to spare for others because, you see, in many ways I have already lived my dreams – though I wouldn’t have been brave enough to dream them myself. Rather, my dreams happened to me. I have loved and been loved. I have brought a beautiful baby girl into this world and watched her grow. I have experienced the grace and mercy of an almighty God. I have had the privilege of writing songs for and to His glory. No, I never could have dreamed the things that I have lived. A poor little farm girl like me never would have dreamed of hearing her songs on the radio. That shy little kid would never have dreamed of being a voice that could lead. With each new day I live a dream that I never would have dreamed possible. But God’s dreams for me are much bigger than mine.
So it is now mine to give back. If I can be a shoulder to cry on in an overwhelming world … if I can be an anchor in the wind-tossed seas … if I can be the smile in and angry world … if I can be the one who believes when everyone else scoffs, then God has had His way through me. My life is not my own. God put me here with a purpose that will lead others back to His feet. For He is the giver of dreams.
I will be a fulfilled dreamer if I get to attend the graduations of those who think they will never graduate. I will be a fulfilled dreamer if I get to sit at a concert and listen to the songs of someone who has battled their demons and their fears and found that God has given them the words to encourage others. I will be a fulfilled dreamer if I get to go to weddings and hold the children of those have fallen in love along the way. I will be a fulfilled dreamer when I stand before God and hear Him say “thanks for dreaming with me for my little ones.” I don’t know if that is the way it’s going to be … but I can dream can’t I?