Yesterday we stopped and picked up a few movies from red box after church. We went home to lounge and enjoy some time together. One of the movies that we picked was The Greatest Showmen. I felt so late to the party, having not seen it yet. We were so excited to watch it after hearing everyone absolutely rave about it for months!!

Me being the pinterest-loving, home school mom that I am, I had an entire unit study prepared today  to discuss the themes, symbolism, and life lessons that were present in the movie. I didn’t start off with this discussion –  hello, Monday mornings are hard enough as it is…I could not sabotage ours by being off our normal routine. haha! I waited until math, history, and science were done. After lunch and break time, we came back together to start lessons again and I told them that we were going to take a little break to talk about the movie.

We talked about the leadership qualities that were shown by the main character. The fact that he knew that kind of life that he wanted, and he did not stop until he got there. We talked about how failure can sometimes be a stepping stone that leads us to fulfill our destiny. We also talked about how we have to follow our calling, even if it is frowned upon by society. Basically, that the calling that you have in life may not necessarily be the easiest or most traveled road according to some people.

I told them how as I was growing up, the norm was to graduate highschool, graduate college, get a job, and pretty much work forty+ hours a week until retirement. Things are different now. Everyone thinks differently. The norm is that there is no norm. I want them to know that they can accomplish anything and everything that they want. I want them to have amazing dreams and goals. I want them to know that they can do anything that God calls them to do.

Gary may be too young to remember, but Allie can remember when her Dad worked at a job that he hated. He worked hard to provide for our family and dealt with less than ideal hours. He worked and took classes so that he could earn his certification. He walked through open doors that led him to where he is today -a full-time position as an associate pastor.

Both of the kids, can remember how hard it was for our family before I left my job. They have had front row seats to the effects – good and bad- that we have endured since that change in our dynamics.

I hope that from watching us make these choices and follow God’s leading, it doesn’t mean that things are always perfect. Things can still be hard, but God will lead you through the hard times.

My kids are growing up in a time where they want to accomplish so much. They have talked about working at Starbucks(so she can learn how to make all the delicious drinks), working at McDonald’s ( so he can have as many cheeseburgers as he wants), and all kinds of things. They have lots of dreams and I love that. Allie has mentioned pastoring. She has had people speak over her life and we know that God has plans for her life and she will know her calling at the right time. I recently blogged about the one time in my life that I heard the audible voice of God- I know that God has  a plan for Gary.

I don’t want them to be scared of stepping out in faith. Or following what God has told them, even if it doesn’t seem like the usual path. I want them to have faith that God will sustain them and see them through. That He will direct their paths.

They are growing up in a time where they see vloggers and examples like the bucket list family living exceptional lives. I want them to know that they can chase their dreams and live lives that are better than they ever imagined. I think it is awesome that they don’t have to pick a profession at twenty something and then work their lives away at a desk. They can reinvent themselves as often as necessary and make a difference. They can do whatever they want- they can be as “ordinary” as they want or come up with their own path.

I’m so proud of them both already and am so happy that we live in a time where their dreams can be limitless.