When we were little children we were always asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Then when we graduated high school the question was, “What career path are you going to pursue?”
It’s funny that when you hit a certain age those questions stop. What’s even funnier is that I am in my forties and I still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up.
There once was a time when I thought I knew what I wanted. I remember in fourth grade we were asked to write a story and at the end, I wrote that I wanted to be a writer. As time went on that dream changed. I wanted to be a teacher, then a doctor, an actress, a mom, a wife, and the list went on. Until it stopped. I grew up, graduated, found out I didn’t like school, got a job, became a wife, had babies, and am sitting here in my adulthood still wondering. What do I want to do with the rest of my life?
I find it crazy that we ask these questions to little kids and even young adults who, most of them, have not really experienced life. Yet we expect them to know what they want to do with the rest of theirs.
My dreams have changed so much over the years because of life. My ideas about life have changed. My goals have changed. My dreams have changed. I have changed. That sweet, little, innocent girl has definitely changed.
One thing that hasn’t changed is my hope.
My hope that whatever I am doing in life will bring joy and fulfillment. It’s not one occupation that I am looking to attain. I understand working is important and I am not suggesting we just do what makes us happy while forsaking all responsibility. What I am suggesting is that we allow ourselves to not know exactly what we want to do for the rest of our lives at 9 or 19 or 40.
Know that it’s not too late to dream and even work at making those dreams come to pass. It’s also o.k. to change your mind if something isn’t working. Too often we stay stuck in something that is sucking us dry all because of fear. We know what awaits us if we stay in the familiar, but we are not quite sure what will happen in change. I have learned to embrace change. When you live for the Lord you have to, ha! Knowing He is right there to guide you into greater brings the confident peace you need to become who you were truly meant to be and that is something that seems to take a lifetime to figure out.
So if you are like me still wondering what your life holds for you, be hopeful that whatever it is you are meant to do will find you. Just keep living, dreaming, and finding joy in the searching.
Instead of asking yourself “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Start asking “Who do I want to be when I grow up?” Then let that lead you through your journey.
