Giving someone a dream

Is it possible to give someone a dream? Or must people possess their own dreams? Watching a movie recently caused me to ponder the question.

The movie involved the Merrick family, who encountered deep-seated problems. The mother and father were fighting and, consequently, there was little happiness in the home. A friend, Jacob, and his son, Tom, dropped in unannounced for a visit during their time of dissension. They felt compassion expecially for the children. Tom remembered his father always tucked him into bed every night, unlike the parents of the Merrick children.

One evening was especially stressful. Mr. Merrick angrily stormed to his car announcing he was leaving the family for good. It was bedtime and the children stood sobbing at the departure of their father. Tom stood watching the anguish of the children. "Daddy," said Tom, "Go and tuck the kids in bed like you always do for me. And dad, give them a dream."

As I sat watching the movie, I was filled with feelings of tenderness at the story's drama. My heart skipped a beat as I heard the words "And dad, give them a dream." For how could anyone give another person a dream?

Then I realized we're all able to give dreams to other people. I'm unsure of how Jacob gave the children a dream, within the story, but I asked myself how I could give dreams to others. What a mission! I'm talking about the kind of dreams that become reality, giving one reason to hope and bringing out the best in people.

I believe the first step in giving someone a dream is to listen intently to what he's saying. Ask him what he likes to do, what he thinks would bring him the most joy. Then gently probe for the reason he is not pursuing his desires, or believes they're unattainable.

Remember the verse in Proverbs: "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" (37-4). Often one only needs to "know" that God genuinely wants him to be satisfied and joyful by accomplishing those yearnings he feels. And recognize he's capable of becoming what he desires. We can reassure people that what they are striving for is not beyond their reach.

I've always found the encouragement to pursue and accomplish my dreams by re-reading and realizing the impact of the Scriptures: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13) and "With God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27b).

While searching farther into how one can give someone a dream, I remembered my experiences in life and wondered what enabled me to achieve my dreams. First of all, I'm an avid reader of encouraging words on a daily basis. Second, I attempt to surround myself with uplifting people who build me up rather than dishearten me. Third, I try to adopt healthful habits. One can only dream big when he's feeling well. Fourth, I always believed any desire was reachable if God was on my side. However it was most important that I visualized myself in the midst of having achieved my goal. After I formed a plan I usually prayed first then began with mere baby steps. If I continuously thought about my aspiration and felt sadness at never having attempted it, I interpreted those feelings as whisperings from the Holy Spirit. I then asked myself, "What do I have to lose by at least trying to reach my goal? What will I gain?"

Before I knew it, my hope was fulfilled and I wondered why I ever doubted myself, doubted that the power of God could "make anything possible."

We can, indeed, give someone a dream! That is, the courage to know and be true to oneself, pursue his inner yearnings, then rely on God!

Ellen Shuck is director of religious education at St. Mary's Cathedral Parish.