Dreaming Big Dreams - Sunshine Praises

This past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Revolve Conference at Nationwide Arena. The revolve conference is a 2 day event for teen girls full of dynamic speakers and awesome musicians. The theme for this year’s conference was Dream On and even though I am not a teen girl (and I don’t have one yet), the speakers were all so inspirational that I cried, laughed and found myself dreaming.

As my friend and I were heading out on a break, we started talking about our dreams and I realized that I had long ago stopped “dreaming” for me and instead find that my dreams are now focused on what I hope my children will become.

Now I don’t mean that in a crazy way, like those parents who have unfulfilled dreams and force their kids into hours and hours of [insert activity here] practice, lessons, meetings, etc. I meant it in a, how do I, as a parent, encourage and support my children during their lives so that they are able to identify and chase their dreams? How do I, as a parent, determine what is my dream compared to what is their dream so that they are becoming the people that God wants them to be?

So I have been thinking, what are my dreams for my kids? When I picture them standing at the alter on their wedding days, who do I hope that they will be for the person they are going to spend the rest of their lives with?

For Eph, I dream that he will overcome his ADHD in a miraculous way and learn how to channel his endless energy into great things. I picture him pounding drums in a worship band and leaping on a fire truck off to save a family from a burning building. I see him laying hands on a hurting soul and praying for God’s healing. I see him dancing with his wife and holding his beautiful child. I see him becoming a faithful man of God, kind, generous and loving.

For Lu, I dream that she will one day stand on a stage and give her amazing testimony of how she was born without a voice and God healed her. I feel strongly that God will bless her with a voice like a bird that worships him and shares his glory to the ends of the earth. I picture her in the spotlight, blue eyes sparkling and singing songs that sound like they come from directly from the angels. I dream that she twirls through life without hurt or brokenness. I see her dancing in her Daddy’s arms in her white dress on her wedding day and glowing as she rubs a growing belly. I see her chasing a little blond child across a playground. I see her becoming a woman who loves God, and serves Him with a dedicated unfailing heart.

I know these are only my dreams, but I dare to dream only the good things for my children. I dream that they walk on the stars and become the people that God wants them to become.

Thank you to all the wonderful speakers at the Revolve Conference for teaching this mom to dream big for her kids! If you have a teen daughter, friend or youth group, consider taking them to see Revolve. This year is almost over, but rest assured they will be back again in 2012 with another exciting conference!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jer 29:11)

How do you dream for your kids?

Disclosure: I was provided 4 tickets to Revolve as a giveaway on my Macaroni Kid site and attended the event in a paid position as a professional interpreter. All thoughts, opinions and ideas expressed in this piece are mine and absolutely no way influenced by the company or companies listed above.