Chasing Fantasies - Proverbs 12:11

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. (Proverbs 12:11)

Dear Father,

There is a difficult balance between idealism and practical considerations. On the one hand, I want these children to chase after their dreams, to be idealists, to want to change the world. On the other hand, life has responsibilities, bills to pay, children to raise, church to support. Sometimes these goals seem to be at odds. People chasing their dreams sometimes are derelict in their responsibilities. Sometimes responsible people forfeit their dreams and become resentful and cynical.

I first ask that you give these children the wisdom to find this balance and discern when dreams become irresponsible fantasies. However, I also pray that these children avoid the cynicism that can come with age and life experience, rather that they become and remain idealists - believing that by your power they can truly make a difference in the world. But that, in pursing their idealism, they do not neglect their responsibilities given to them by you.

Give them a vision of how, by your power, they can change the world, whether in small ways or in large ways and give them the wisdom, the energy and the resources to follow after that vision.

Amen