As I’m writing this blog post, I’m on a flight from LAX to Dallas. I spent 5 days there with my youngest son, Parker, and was the speaker at a youth camp in the California mountains outside of the LA area. I then spoke in the youth group’s home church on Sunday. What an amazing trip it has been; the only thing missing, was my best friend and partner in this adventure we call life (my wife).

Nothing helps keep us more youthful than hanging out with young adults. I learn so much by just spending time sitting and talking with them and LISTENING! Did you get that last word? Listening! One of my biggest regrets as a dad was not listening more and talking less with my amazing kiddos! One thing that made this trip extra special was that this is my son’s (Parker’s) last year of high school and the Air Force is strong in his heart. So it was a fun time together even though it was crazy busy.

I can remember a statement that the late Dr James Zirkle made, “If you want to learn about a person’s home life then talk to their children”. Oh this is so true!!!! As I sat and just listened to the youth this weekend, I got the feeling that so many parents are failing in the area of encouraging their children to dream and take action. We view life in the manner of “go to school and get your education and then work a job so that you can retire one day”. That’s a cookie cutter answer! (Sorry moms and dads, but this does not sound fun and for sure not what God had planned for His kids.) Life is a journey that was meant to be enjoyed. We view school and a so called career as the ultimate answer; but WHAT IF your child has a dream that does not match that? What if they see life in a different way? What you might see as them being wrong or immature, is actually the uniqueness that God birthed in us.

The uniqueness in us shouts individuality and this recognized, reveals who and how God created us. We can’t raise our children in a manner that says “my way is the only way that is right.” (I wish I had realized this sooner!)

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. (‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ AMP)

We have got to realize the greatness in each of us including that of our children.

I believe pain of the past and fear of the unknown cause’s parents to try and push their children in the directions that they do.

God has put so many friends in my life that are successful dreamers and I believe that one difference with them and their success is they tried! You will never know what could be unless you first decide and then move towards it.

QUESTION: Is it better to run with our dreams and possibly fail or live life in a place of conformity and safety never knowing what might be able to be?

Well that’s it for this week; BUT, I would love to hear your thoughts on this, below.  I want to also encourage you to check out the Kingdom Thinking PodCast on iTunes at: http://goo.gl/0kx3Ya .

So until next week, eyes up and gear up for the best yet is right at hand! Make the decision to start NOW living life on purpose with purpose.‬‬‬