Rewind. Pause. Start Again.

You have to pay attention.

You have to look for it.

It's in that split second when you're listening, really listening to someone speak. That second where the gaze shifts slightly to the ground. They cough, or mumble, or laugh... a spark. then just as fast as it appeared, it's gone.

I've had several conversations this week with college students. I've been asking the same question: "What are you passionate about?" I love this question.

The response?

Well, I've heard a lot about majors and plans and what's the most practical. I've heard a lot about the economy and the demands of society.

But you know what else I've heard? Every.single.time?

A mumble, a gentle whisper about something else.

Hey, wait.

I found what I've been watching for. A hint of a dream.

For a second, there's a spark. A smile dances on the corners of lips. The mumble about owning a business, writing a book, having a family, teaching in Africa...

That's what I'm paying attention to.

These quiet dreams are seeds for something bigger.

After that half-spoken sentence, something else gets thrown in.

But that's never going to happen.

Pipe dream, I guess.

It's totally not realistic.

Shifting and fidgeting and the checking of phones happens about now. Reality invades the space for the spark.

But beneath the should are unique desires deep from the heart of God that were designed to create. To bloom. To flourish. Yet so often we bury them.

I'm rewinding. Rewinding. Rewinding.

Go back.

I want to hear more about the last part. The thing at the end. Except this time? Say it loud. Say it clear. Say it with hope.

Say it like it's possible. Because it is!

Say you want to work as a doctor in the prisons.

Say you want to open an art gallery.

Say you want to get married.

Say you want to be a ballerina.

Say you want to record an album.

Say you want to play basketball for a living.

Say you want to travel to the corners of the world and love on kids.

Say it LOUD. Because I hear you.

This time, look me in the eyes. Because that spark? It's really beautiful.

Reality? Reality is God places dreams in us with purpose and passion. Too often, the spark we are putting out is an idea that could spread like a forest fire to hearts that need it.

Yep. Dreams are needed.

So go ahead. Pull up a chair, sweet friends.

When you open your heart, you'll get no disappointment from me. I am incredibly flawed and learning more every day about grace.

I think deep under the responsibilities of every day life lives a God-sized dream that needs to be spoken.

Remember all those dreams. All those crazy wishes. All those seemingly impossible ideas.

They exist for a reason.

The "penny-thrown-in-the-fountain" wishes.

The birthday candle hopes.

The staring-out-the-window, half asleep daydreams.

They matter. I really believe that.

Rewind.

Pause.

Start again.

When you speak those impossible dreams, your perfect God is listening. He's listening to each word, each whisper, each silence, each spark.

What are you passionate about?

Love,
Lyss