Dream Big

Thursday was my birthday, and as birthdays always cause me to do, I grew contemplative. But too often those big thoughts, big dreams, big decisions get lost in the everydayness of life once the big day passes. Even so, one thing I'm forever trying to teach my children is to live with passion. That means taking those big dreams and big decisions and living them out. I fail at that too often. But each day, because of God's great mercy and His never giving up on any of us, we have another opportunity to make good on those dreams. To take action and live them out.

We can start simple... like forgiving someone. Or making time to just sit before the throne of God and listen. Spending a little more time just being with our children, our parents, our friends. Knowing our gifts and talents and seeking God as to how He wants to use them in the Body of Christ. Giving a cup of cold water on a hot day.

Then move on to some of those dreams you had as a kid or an idealistic young adult. What did you want to be when you grew up? Even more importantly, what did Jesus create you to be? Think about where you are now and where you'd like to be in answer to those two questions. The space between them is truly spanned one step at a time.

Of all the things I pray my children remember about me, my not giving up on God's dreams for me and living them with passion is the one that tops my list.

Ephesians 4:1 "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."

Ephesians 5:2 "...and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Dream big and take the next prayerful step.