Dreamer.
I’m in love with the poetic energy of that word.
But up until recently, I’d never considered myself a dreamer.
Turns out I was wrong.
What about you? Would you call yourself a “dreamer?”
Perhaps you’re like me and have mentally filed the word “dream” alongside the word “goal.”
With this hyper-driven, goal-centered personality of mine, I’m more apt to consider myself a “doer” than a “dreamer.”
But lately it occurs to me that goals are simply Dream-Whisperers. Siamese twins, each speaking life into the other.
(Semantics has had too much time on her hands at my house lately.)
I used to see a dreamer as someone who casts a longing vision for the future. But, I’m realizing I’m a dreamer of a different sort.
Just because my personality is driven in the here-and-now, doesn’t mean it’s not dreams that drive it. Dreaming for me looks a lot like planning.
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There’s been a lot of talk about dreaming lately, and I’ve been soaking it in. Our friend Liz Geirtz from CreativeInspirationsFromMyMessyDesk has a great Dream series going on right now—definitely check it out if you haven’t already.
In reality, however defined, we all have them, right? Sweet, God-given hopes and ambitions?
The parallel reality is that we don’t always believe in ourselves enough to call those dreams from the cynical shadows and dare to give them a name.
What dream do you want to remove from wallflower status, no longer allowing it to hide behind everyone else’s “more dynamic” dreams?
- Maybe it’s that small dream, timidly whispering “as if” into your heart.
- Or the big dream you feel you have “no right” to.
- Or, perhaps an everyday, medium-sized dream inhaling and exhaling within your spirit all day long—overlooked, unrequited.
Don’t ya think it’s high-time we give them a name and offer them back to the Dream-Giver for Kingdom use?
For me, that Siamese-twin desire is to have a consistent writing gig. The God of my life set this whole thing in motion, and at the time and place of His choosing, I trust He’ll fulfill that——Dream.
Your turn! What dream is hiding in your heart today? 
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Awwww!!! Thanks for the shout out to my Dream Series, Brenda! I love how you’re wrestling with this! XO
Liz recently posted…Word Nerd Wednesday – Asceticism
Loving your series, Liz. 🙂 xoxo
Goals as “dream whisperers” is such a great non-threatening way to view them. And I love the way God whispers into our lives. Your words today make me really want to pay attention!
Michele Morin recently posted…A Veiled Life in the Sandy Waste: Till We Have Faces (7)
🙂 *giggle* Never thought of dreams and goals as threatening, but ya know, sometimes they sure can seem so, can’t they? 🙂 Thanks for being a faithful part of this community, Michele. I appreciate you. xoxo
I’m a big dreamer. I see the big picture and have to be reminded to pace myself.
Keep Dreaming girl!
~Sherry Stahl
Xoxo
That’s the funny thing, Sherry — me too. yet, I never thought of myself as a dreamer. I’m a big-picture girl, but always just saw myself doing the next right thing, rather than dreaming. — Told you Ms. Semantics has too much time on her hands at my house lately. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Sherry. xoxo
Goals are dream whisperers …I love that! Visiting from the #ThoughtProvokingThursday linkup!
Happy Thursday!
Megs
Megs recently posted…The Tangled Doodle (#jammed daily devo, day 47)
Hey Meg, great to see you. ((hug))
I haven’t dreamed in so many years because I was deep in pregnancy, babies and toddlers. I gave up dreaming.
I’m getting it back and I can’t wait to see if some come to fruition!
Checking out Liz’s series too!
Thanks Brenda for the linkup!
Julie recently posted…How Addiction Gave Me Warrior Strength
It can feel like an accomplishment just getting through the day with littles, can’t it. Fun that some dreams are beginning to sprout to life again. Look forward to seeing where they take you. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Julie. xoxo
Brenda,
I’ve been fortunate to see some of my dreams come true. I would like to write with more consistency, but am trying to accept my limitations at the moment. I would love to see Redeemer Christian Foundation, Inc. grow and be able to help children on so many more levels, but I am learning that I am just one person and this is going to happen in God’s time and not mine. I’m trying not to be such an impatient dreamer…good stuff to ponder here today, Brenda!!
Blessings sweet friend and sister dreamer,
Bev xo
Bev @ Walking Well With God recently posted…True Hope For The Perfectionist
I can’t wait to see where all God takes Redeemer Christian Foundation, Bev. I’m so impressed with all you do there. That feels like a huge dream to me! Thanks for sharing, friend. <3
I hope you had a lovely Valentine’s Day!
Lisa/Syncopated Mama recently posted…Lots of Love by Kim Washburn, illustrated by Jacqueline East
Can I whisper real here in this space?
I went for a walk this morning and kept exhaling the name of Jesus with every step. I’ve been wrestling lately with calling and purpose and dreams. I’ve found myself pinned to the mat more than I’d like to admit, giving up in defeat. I’ve often fought the urge to be labeled as a Christian writer. I’ve thought of myself as a writer who happens to write about faith. And today on that walk as I exhaled the name of Jesus, He asked why I do that. Why am I unwilling to own that label? And I realized I feel inadequate.
I may be a Christian, but I don’t live my life nose in the Word, preaching and praying on corners to everyone I see. I get it wrong more than I get it right. And I question God. A lot.
How could I possibly be qualified?
And God whispered back, “maybe that’s what the world needs”
Dreams can feel big and hard and like wearing shoes three sizes too big, but God gives so much grace.
Grateful for His grace in my dreaming places.
Becky Hastings recently posted…Can My Calling Really Be That Simple?
“Real” is always welcomed in this space. 🙂 — Preferred, even. 🙂 ((hug))
I love that, Becky. Seems like our “feelings” like to lead us astray, don’t they? They tell us we need to be comfortable, but — working toward dreams and goals isn’t all that “comfortable,” is it? And, jumping into something with fear takes courage. — Who knew Scared was the new Courageous? 🙂 — I love that you were repeating “Jesus.” <3 Thanks so much for sharing, Becky. It's beautiful to hear how the Lord is speaking to your heart. ((xoxo))
When God gives us the dream, He will also make the way for it to happen.
Sometimes there can be a long period of waiting and training, and that’s okay. I think since God gives the dream, all the in-between stuff that seems to make us lose the dream, is just a part of God’s preparation for the time when He brings the dream to pass. Joseph had a dream, and look at all the stuff that had to happen to HIM before the dream was realized. But it was all a part of God’s plan, even though it was difficult, and it strengthened His character and his faith and enabled him to be the leader that God wanted him to be.
Thank you for the reminder, I need to get back to dreaming.
Thank you for the reminder, Brenda, that our dreams are from the Dream-Giver to use to build His Kingdom. That helps me push past the hard and trust in His timing. Thank you for the inspiration, sweet friend. xoxo
Crystal Storms recently posted…Safe to Shore – #HeartEncouragement
Brenda,
Much like you, I don’t think I quite consider myself a “dreamer.” But you are right, there are things in our heart and even though it often manifests itself as a goal, it is some sort of dream in our life. I’m so glad we know the author of dreams and the One who knit us individually as dreamers! I’m not quite ready to share my “dream” but I know He’s been prompting my heart to dream a little and trust Him with the outcome. He is faithful!