“Can I use these, Mom?”

She cups the empty containers in her hands: a hot chocolate tin, a glass jar once home to bath salts, and a salsa jar. She’s envisioning Duck Tape treasures. Probably a craft sale extravaganza too.

She sets them down amidst a stash of purses, flowers, headbands, and bracelets…a Duck Tape bonanza.

“What can I make from this?” is a FAQ for this twelve year old. She transforms jars. Covers folders. Repurposes milk cartons. Creativity oozes from her, a trait I’m eager to see translate into her adult life.

***

“I’m going to be an art teacher when I grow up. Or an architect who builds her buildings,” her sister says.

And I see it…as she follows her dad around asking, “Can I help you put it together, Dad?” Whether it’s a cabinet, bookshelf, or home repair, she’ll do it. How the pieces fit together makes sense to her. She’ll draw it on paper or put it together in 3D.

Whatever her future holds, it will be hands on.

***

 “It’s okay, Sweetie,” sister #2 consoles her toddler brother. She gently wraps her arms around him and squeezes.  She’s perfected the combination of snorts and facial contortions that will elicit giggles from him. They bound around the house as buddies.

He misses her when she’s gone all day at school.

She extends her snuggles to me, too.  Her most frequent statement reveals her tender nature: I love you, Mom!

***

As for her brother…it’s stack a thing, then knock down. Fill it up, then empty it. Open it, then close it. Press the button. Dump it out. Climb on it. Explore, explore, explore.

It’s hard to guess what he’s thinking at three years old, but it’s clear that curiosity drives him. My bet is that his chosen occupation will either be engineer or demolitionist.

I won’t lie. These endearing interests and talents include their downsides…mostly messes. But, it’s worth it to witness their God-given personalities shine through. They’re driven to pursue their own interests, and they know what they’re good at.

Letting them explore those gifts and interests gives both of us hints at what God might have in store for their futures.

It’s the starting point for their dreams.

As much as I reasonably can, I encourage their giftings. “What do you think you’d like to do when you grow up?” is my FAQ to them.

I smile when my seven year old answers with “waitress,” knowing she simply enjoys eating at restaurants and serving others.

Their dreams begin with learning who God made them to be. Giving children the freedom to explore the unique qualities God planted in them is to gift them with permission to dream God-sized dreams.

What unique qualities do you see in your children?

How do you encourage them to dream?

Shared by: Mandy Mianecki