Wishful Thinking

Wishful Thinking
by Evonne Mandella
www.wholesomelearrning.com

What is your wish? Do you have a dream- a personal dream or a dream for your family? It could be a
big dream. Perhaps you have always had a children's book that you have kept in your heart, that you
know would bless others. Or does your dream revolve around a homeschooling goal you would like to achieve. Could it be that you'd like to throw out half your textbooks, and become a family of more
hands on learning. Would you love to see your family each playing a musical instrument, and praising
the Lord together through music?
What keeps you from your dreams? I meet many people who tell me they have this wish, or that
dream. They tend to say it wistfully, “I wish I could do that.” It could be as basic as organizing their
home or learning a foreign language. It is the latter that I personally have run into the most. For a
number of years I have been privileged to teach Hebrew in both a congregational and homeschool
setting. I love to see the excitement on people's faces when I announce a new class is beginning. The
common responses are “I wish I could read Hebrew,” and “I wish I could read the bible in its original
language.” I tell them “you can!” Yet, as much as these lovely people sincerely want to fulfill their
wishes, only a small few do. Why is this? Why do we have unfulfilled wishes? What is holding you
back from your dreams?
I believe the answer is twofold. The first reason is fear. It is not usually the kind of fear that one gets
before doing something scary, like riding on a roller coaster or parachuting out of a plane. It is the
simple fear of the unknown and fear of failure. We don't want to try and not succeed. We have tried
big things before and fell flat on our faces, and the hurt is still there just enough to keep us from trying
again.
The second reason is what I call “do-ability.” Is my dream doable? “I would like to go to Mexico on
that mission trip, but I have an ill child to care for here at home.” Yet, there are many dreams that we
presume are not “doable,” that really are. Perhaps it is not the dream that is the problem, but it is what
you are doing about it.
The solution can be as sweet as the dream is itself. First, seek the Lord for help and guidance. Next,
find helpful resources. You've heard it said “start with baby steps.” However, maybe you don't know
what “baby steps” should look like. Here is one simple tip that I have used and I know it works. When
learning a new subject, start in the children's section. When I wanted to learn fabulous Middle Eastern
cooking, I studied a child's cookbook. Children's authors don't assume you know anything about the
subject, and teach things step by step. Soon I mastered the basics, and felt the confidence to try more
complex recipes.
Another baby step is to “share the fun.” If you learn something new that day, share it enthusiastically
with all that you meet. It will keep you excited, and by sharing it, you are actually teaching it. This
will help put the knowledge in your permanent memory.
Most important, don't forget to be thankful for each step you are able to take to move toward your
dreams. And the next time someone sees you will no longer have a wistful look in your eye, but a
fulfilled feeling in your heart!