When I was growing up there was a girl in my neighborhood who had the most amazing banana curls, like Nellie Oleson on Little House.

Her spiraling curls cascaded down her back and bounced like Slinkys when she walked.

I dreamed of having curls like hers.

I begged my mom to wrap my baby-fine strands in rag strips so I could have those curls, too. By rags I mean strips of shredded sheets and evidently this is still a thing if you Google rags and curls.

It sounded so easy. Just wrap your hair around strips of fabric, go to bed, and voila! You wake up the next morning with banana curls to die for.

But those rags in my hair?

They never took–they were useless. My silky strands lacked enough oomph for the rags to stay put. Mom tried her best but those silly rags just kept slipping away along with my banana curl dream.

Why did God allow that dream to slip away like sand through my fingers?

I think He was trying to tell me something.

Dreams don’t determine who we are—who we are determines our dreams. Share on X

God cares about our dreams.

He allows banana curl dreams to slip away to make room for the purposeful ones that really matter. The kinds of dreams that fulfill a deep desire and expand our Kingdom reach.

Even our best hair-days can’t do that.

We Daughters-of-the-King dream of making a difference in the world. We follow dreams that matter because we follow Jesus.

Our best dreams bring out the best in others.

Purposeful Dreams Make a Kingdom Impact

Why do we have dreams?

God places desires in our hearts for more–more of Him. When we seek more of Him new desires within us bloom and we pursue God’s purposes for our lives.

Those dreams?

They line up with the bigger picture plans of what God wants to do in and through us.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Psalm 138:8 ESV

The dreams God brings to pass not only bless us, but they make a Kingdom impact on those around us. That goes for long-forgotten dreams too—the ones we’ve buried because life got busy.

Like the dream of continuing those ballet lessons I had to give up as a child. I had almost forgotten that dream when years later while scrolling through Facebook, I saw an ad for adult ballet classes. I signed up.

I went all the way with it too, donning the leotard, tights, and cute chiffon wrap skirt for the full effect. However, no ballerina experience is complete without a recital.

Yes, I did—I danced on a stage in front of a live audience. Granted, the audience was mainly made up of doting parents, but my family was there too.

My husband, daughter, sister, niece, besties, and my sweet grandkids were there. That dream grew into something bigger than Gammy in a tutu—that dream inspired them and showed them that God cares about our dreams and it’s never too late to live them out.

It inspired others, too. People waited afterwards to tell me how seeing me up there gave them renewed hope in pursuing their own dreams. I was able to share with them how God can resurrect long-lost dreams when we trust in Him.

Purposeful Dreams Move People

I thought about the difference between my banana curl dream and my ballerina dream. What I believe God was teaching me was that a banana curl dream lacks the ability to bless anyone beyond myself.

The ballerina dream?

At first it may sound silly—but it went much deeper than dancing.  It moved people. It opened doors to share about God and inspired them to dust off their dreams and take action.

Our dreams can impact lives and reach the hearts of others. Our dreams can have a purpose far beyond what we can see.

We’re told to dream big and we should, but we can’t underestimate what God can do with our seemingly small dreams too—like dancing in a ballet recital.

Purposeful dreams impact the world, bless others, and bring us joy. They are cultivated through an intimacy with God who allows them to bloom in the right seasons for the right reasons.

Whatever your dreams are know that God can use them to move people, serve people, and further the Kingdom. Don’t give up because God is right there in it with you.

The Holy Spirit can help us step out and take action even when we have no clue what we’re doing. He knows so we can rest in that truth.

Delight in Him and He will fulfill your heart’s desire because dreams matter.

“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

The best dreams put God first, bring joy and encouragement to others, fill a need beyond our own needs, and carry the light of Christ to future generations.

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