Here we are in the week after Christmas. I’ve often called this a limbo week, where we’re suspended between two significant days, Christmas and New Years. The celebrating isn’t quite over, yet we feel a slight pull to return to our pre-holiday rhythms.
Historically in the church, and maybe for some of us today, this week is spent commemorating the 12 days of Christmas tradition. For others of us, this is a time we can finally spend with extended family. And the rest of us probably don’t know what day it is!
We McCoids typically travel to visit family this week. We drive six hours to Indianapolis, and see all the extended family we can. The initial hours of our trip home are quiet because we’re happily worn out from late nights and good food. These few hours are some of my favorite of the week. Jim drives, podcast in ear, while the kids sleep. And I grab a notepad and dream.
I think about what I want to accomplish in the coming months. I imagine where we could take the kids on vacation over the summer. I consider how Jim and I could be more intentional about date nights. I plan out the habits I want to nurture. I evaluate my relationships and think how I can meaningfully connect with those I love.
I dream.
As I dream, an excitement grows in me. I feel a flutter in my chest, and energy down my arms. It is invigorating to picture my future. To imagine what’s possible. In those quiet moments, I align my priorities with the potential. Eventually the kids wake, and the silence breaks. And the dreams I’ve written become my roadmap for the year.
Dreaming is a powerful starting point for goal setting. When we give our minds quiet space to wonder what’s possible, we realize (or remember) what is important to us. We discover potential goals. Oftentimes our dreams are crowded out by the noise of life. We don’t take the time to visualize what we want to do because we’re too busy doing. If we’re not careful, we begin to live without intention toward the desires God has put on our hearts. We live small, staying within the boundaries of what we’ve already accomplished instead of living towards what could be.
Dreams allow us to think big, to purposely walk forward to our future selves.
This week I encourage you to dream about your future. Grab a piece of paper and pen and a quiet space. Ask yourself one of the following questions: “What do I want to do this year?” Or maybe “How do I want to grow?” Jot down all the thoughts that come to mind, without judgment.
Your list of dreams is your guide to future goals. Hang onto your list – and continue to add to it. Never stop dreaming how God wants us to spend this one precious life He’s given us.
If you’re curious how to shape your dreams into powerful goals, stay tuned. I’m putting the finishing touches on a resource you don’t want to miss!
Bethel Wellness 