Dream Again
The year was 1976, and I was in kindergarten—Mrs. Zoozalo’s class. Now, I don’t remember much from that year (it’s been a while), but there are a couple of things that stand out.
First, I really liked Mrs. Zoozalo. Probably because I had a little kindergarten crush on her. She was young, pretty, and in my five-year-old mind, she was absolutely awesome.
The second thing I remember? Dream Time.
Now, Dream Time was essentially just nap time, but calling it that made it sound a whole lot cooler. Each day, we’d grab our little mats, find a spot on the floor, and Mrs. Zoozalo would dim the lights and play soft music. Songs like Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head and Somewhere Over the Rainbow would fill the room, and instead of just telling us to sleep, she’d encourage us to dream.
She’d tell us, “You have endless possibilities. You can be anything you want to be.” And for those few minutes each day, we believed it.
But then life happened.
Somewhere along the way—middle school, high school, college—Dream Time disappeared. Instead, reality set in. People said “no” to our ideas. Our confidence took a hit. We learned to play it safe, and little by little, our dreams got smaller and smaller.
It’s no surprise. Statistics show that we’re most creative when we’re young. The older we get, the less creative we become, and the less we dream. And if we’re not careful, we stop dreaming altogether.
That’s why I feel like this topic is so important. Too many of us have let our circumstances, hardships, losses, or failures steal our ability to dream. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
I believe God is calling us to dream again—to stop settling for the status quo and to believe for more. So today, let’s take a moment to go back to Mrs. Zoozalo’s class. Let’s bring back Dream Time.
Take a few minutes. Play Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Grab a pen and write down your dreams. Maybe it’s a dream for yourself, your family, or a better future. Whatever it is, don’t let the limitations of the past keep you from what God has placed in your heart.
Because it’s time to dream again.
Three Ways to Dream Again:
Make Space for Dreaming – Life gets busy, but we have to be intentional about setting aside time to dream. Whether it’s in the morning before your day starts or at night when the house is quiet, create space to let your imagination run.
Silence the Dream Killers – There will always be voices—internal and external—that tell you your dreams are too big, too unrealistic, or too late. Stop listening to the negativity and start trusting that if God placed a dream in your heart, He will make a way.
Take a Step – Dreams don’t become reality overnight. They start with small steps. Write down your dream, pray over it, and take one small action toward making it happen. Even the biggest dreams start with one step of faith.
So, what are you dreaming for? What are you believing God for? Whatever it is—big or small—don’t let it slip away.
Dream again.
About the Author
Todd Sturgell is the Executive Pastor of Experience and Campuses at Stevens Creek Church in Augusta, Georgia, where he’s spent much of his life serving in ministry. He’s passionate about his family and his role at the church. Todd lives in Augusta with his wife of 30 years, April, their two sons, Ashton (24) and Grayson (21), and their two Goldendoodles, Fletcher and Milly. He and April met at Lee University, and their journey together has shaped both their personal and professional lives.
In his role as Executive Pastor, Todd oversees a wide range of church activities, making sure everything—from parking to the stage—goes smoothly for those who attend. He’s in charge of things like graphics, video, the church’s website, and communication, and he’s also involved in the growth of Stevens Creek’s campuses, making sure each one stays connected to the community.
Todd has been a key part of worship leadership at Stevens Creek for almost 30 years, helping shape the church’s worship culture and making a real impact on its ministry. Over the years, Todd has influenced many leaders and worshippers, leaving a lasting mark on the church. His drive for excellence, authenticity, and living with purpose inspires others to live with dedication, passion, and integrity. His heart is all about empowering leaders to live out their faith and make a difference in the world.
