Do you have a dream? Is it currently on your radar, or has it been buried under responsibilities and reality? Last week, I had the privilege of speaking to various audiences on the subject “Dare to Dream”, and as I shared my own story, it caused me to wonder if maybe YOU have an unfulfilled dream. Because, friend, I am the poster child for “it’s never too late” …
Some say that our truest passions emerge in childhood. Why do you think that is? Could it be that we see the world with an innocent sense of awe and wonder? That we allow ourselves TIME to daydream and play, and drink deeply from the pools of our imagination? I think that’s why I love to write for children today—it’s and fun and free and fanciful.
What brought you to life when you were a child?
For me, it was books and ballet. Born and bred on the south coast of England, I was an absolute bookworm. If I wasn’t dancing, I was probably reading. Little Women has always been my favorite book, possibly as I am one of four girls, and, of course, there’s Jo’s authoring dream… perhaps that particular book stirred my writerly soul. I rather fancied myself as the next Beatrix Potter. But that was in my wild imagination. In reality, for me, being an author was right up there with being an astronaut. I had just as much chance landing on the moon as writing a book.
Therefore, my dream to write was a huge secret. I never divulged this lofty goal to a soul. In fact, I buried it for many years.
For 25 years.
I know. It’s pretty crazy. If nothing else, y’all can rely on me to keep a secret really well! Nothing earth-shattering happened to prevent me from pursuing my passion; it was lack of courage, lots of distraction, and if I’m honest, fear of failure. So I did life— married my high school sweetheart, emigrated from the UK to Canada, had three phenomenal kids, homeschooled, led worship, kept the dream smothered until one particular evening…
“What is your dream?”
That’s the question my husband asked. We were out for coffee, and he was going in for “deep and meaningful” conversation. After much digging (I am rather a wall), I confessed my writing dream—and he was completely gobsmacked; I kept my secret well. But straightaway he encouraged me to go for it. Now. I insisted I was a tad busy (homeschooling our kids, worship director at church, generally running around like a headless chicken) but he said these words to me:
“If you want to do something badly enough, you’ll make the time to do it.”
Did I want it, for real? This is where the rubber meets the road. Maybe this is the question you need to ask yourself—are you willing to put yourself out there, be vulnerable, be brave, be a role model for your kids or your people as you pursue your passion, whatever that looks like?
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:5-6
As a Christian, I believe that God’s timing is always perfect. These have been my special verses since I was a pre-teen, and I think those 25 years when my writing dream was percolating and simmering, God was growing me and teaching me and giving me much to draw from later on, when I finally picked up my pen.
And now I have actual books published! It’s a very long story littered with rejection and jubilation, but I did it. I ignored the voices (mainly in my own head) that said I wasn’t qualified enough, educated enough, experienced enough, young enough. I’m with C.S. Lewis:
“You are never too old to set another goal, or to dream a new dream.”
There is no age limit on dreaming— isn’t that a sweet relief? The question is, will you leave the dream untapped or will you get your brave on and pick up that pen or passport or microphone or saxophone or whatever your particular thing is? 😉
Cheering you on,
P.S. Want to live out your purpose and passion with wisdom and strength? Join me as we unearth 31 exciting gems from Proverbs 31—a diamond a day for a month—in a fresh devotional that will reassure you of your precious worth: DIAMOND DEVOS 31
Linking up with some fabulous encouragers! Check them out:
