Who Do You Want To Be?

Do you remember what you used to want to be when you grew up? Back when you were 7 or 8 years old...what did you say when the grown ups asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I had the pleasure of working in Children's Church today and this was the topic of discussion. While Mary sat with the teenagers this morning I had a group of about 9 children ranging in age from 5-11 years old. I began to read a story about a country mouse and a city mouse but frankly, the children became quickly bored with me! So I decided to ask..."What do you want to be when you grow up." Boy...that got their attention! Their hands went into the air and their voices got louder as they interrupted one another from pure excitement. One girl announced proudly that she wanted to be a "rock star" and the two girls sitting to her right decided they also wanted to be rock stars..."in HER band!" One little boy wanted to be a baseball player, several girls wanted to be teachers and one gal wanted to be a pastor. It was really neat to watch them get so excited!

I can still remember what I wanted to be when I grew up.....it was a tie between a Singer and a Psychologist. Well I don't sing for anyone any longer (except in the shower!) and, although I love listening to people, I am not employed as a Psychologist. I am sometimes amused thinking back at my childhood dreams, but when was it that I decided that these were things I could not become? I asked the children if their dreams for the future were really something they thought they could become. I actually broke down and referenced "Hannah Montana", asking if they thought they could attain their own goals the way Miley Cyrus has certainly attained hers. I asked them to close their eyes and really picture themselves as that thing they wanted to be. They all seemed very certain that their goals were attainable.

So I guess my question now is....have you become the grown up you wanted to be? Do you approach your current employment or hobby with the same exuberance as an 8 year old child? When did we decide that our childhood dreams could not become a reality? I think now, every time I tell my 3 year old son that he really can be whatever he wants to be when he grows up (yes...even if it's Superman!), that I will remind myself that I can also be whatever I want to be. It's never too late to realize a childhood dream!