Wish I may ...wish I might

Desperate for a creative way to deal with Xylie's daily barrage of "Let's buy this..." requests, I encouraged her to start a wish-list. The strategy has not yet failed me. When she comes to me with a request, we put it on her wish list. Then we examine the list to see if there is anything that she no longer wants. I also take the time to explain that the list is there to help her remember the things she wants so she can save money for them and so mommy and daddy have ideas when her birthday rolls around. She also knows not to expect her wishes to be granted. For us, this system is working. While I want to raise kids who are not obsessed with stuff, I do want them to have fun with their wishes. Small wishes today lead to bigger dreams tomorrow. Today she may wish for a toy pony, 20 years from now she may be pursuing a dream in veterinary medicine, who knows, she could also have her own strawberry farm!

I was having so much fun helping Xylie make her wish list, that I created one of my own. Sound childish? Maybe. But I don't think there is ever a good time to stop wishing . Our wishes, big and small reveal a lot about us and we shouldn't be afraid to share them. If you looked at Xylie's wish list, you'd learn that she loves Holly Hobbie, Strawberry Shortcake, ponies, and books among other things. If you looked at my wish list, you'd know my home decoration fantasies and the type of music that gets my toes-a-tapping. But you'd also get a glimpse into some of my dreams, because my material list contains lots of books. Mostly books about how to become a better mother, wife, friend, writer, party-planner, organizer and disciple of Christ. Our wishes reveal part of who we are because they tend to be based on our very personal perspectives.

A travel coffee mug and a collection Nicole C. Mullen CDs are not the only items on my wish list. I also have a wish list that Amazon.com cannot cover. It's actually more of a dream list. Do you have a dream list? After a few hits from the boxing gloves of bad-timing, failure, self doubt, negative stares, and heartbreak, it is sometimes less painful to guard our hearts and stop dreaming altogether. Dreaming isn't only for the young. Peter Pan did eventually leave Neverland, but he left it to pursue a dream. Not because he stopped believing in them.

I think that dreams are gifts from the Creator. And, I even believe they can bring us closer to Him. Go ahead, start a wish list. Start a dream list. Go even deeper and start a "desires of my heart" list. But don't keep them all hidden. Go out on a limb and share some of those dreams. And while you are sharing yours, ask to hear the dreams of another. And treat those dreams like fragments of fragile china. Be a dream encourager. Encourage the dreams of children, of friends and co-workers. And whether you are 26 or 96 encourage the dreams of your soul.

Here are some of my dreams and wishes. You are welcome to use the comment section to share some of yours. I tried not to include goals, but some of the lines are gray I'm sure.

• Finish the children's book I started writing about PapPap
• Write some additional children's books
• Finish the fiction novel I began writing earlier this month
• Publish those writings
• Have my own column or freelance writing gig
• Travel to Europe with my family and go on an archaeological exploration tour of ancient Rome (if such a thing is offered to tourists)
• Learn to snow ski for real
• For Napp and I to own our own home with a wrap-around-porch and red front door
• To speak to an audience of teen girls and to an audience of future brides at some type of Christian conference or retreat
• To raise two healthy children who love the Lord and desire to serve Him
• To enjoy healthy and deep relationships with all members of my family and Napp's family and to pass down a family legacy of love to my children and future generations.
• To adopt a child from Sudan
• To have my own thriving herb garden
• Take family vacations each year and have my family think history is as much fun as I do
• Take a romantic trip with Napp each year even if it is just to a local B&B
• For Napp and I to go back to Jamaica where we honeymooned to celebrate a milestone anniversary.
  

Hmmmm, I wonder what tomorrow's list will look like...