Big Dreams

Have you ever driven down a road and seen an abandoned barn or house? I don’t know about you, but I always find myself thinking about the people who built it or once lived in it. I wonder what their lives were like and why the place was abandoned. Was the last owner the final member of their family, with no one to pass it on to? Does the family even know it still exists? Do they have the means to fix it up? Would they be willing to sell it? So many questions.

I often think about how those old houses, barns, and other abandoned buildings could be used to help people struggling in our communities. If they can be repaired at a reasonable cost, why not put them to good use? Imagine helping local families purchase and restore these properties, turning them into affordable homes for those who’ve never had one.

And what about all the empty industrial buildings? Let’s get them up and running again so we can bring jobs back to our towns. I even saw a post suggesting that old malls could be converted into nursing homes for people with dementia—leaving the stores intact so residents can “shop” and explore familiar spaces. The food court could become their dining hall.

Then there are all the empty hotels. Why not fix them up and use them to house veterans and people experiencing homelessness, offering affordable rent to help them get back on their feet? Vacant hospitals could be transformed into rehabilitation or mental health facilities for those struggling with addiction or adjusting back into society. We could even build shower and laundry facilities so people have a place to stay clean and maintain dignity. Some people live as nomads by choice—why not give them a place to park, wash up, and rest for a bit?

If we could do these things, maybe we could bring our communities closer to what God intended: loving one another as He loves us.

I know these are big dreams and touch on controversial topics, but we can’t always rely on the government to fix everything. We, the people in our communities, need to step up and help. How do we do that? Honestly, I don’t know. I come up with ideas but don’t always have a way to share them or make them happen. I’m sure many of you have ideas too, just waiting for the right opportunity or the right people to bring them to life. Times are tough, and money is always an issue—but we can still dream.

Now, this post has gone way off what I originally intended it to write about. It’s funny, in a not-so-funny way, how when we listen to the Holy Spirit, we’re often led down paths we didn’t plan to take. Maybe I’m meant to share these thoughts in hopes of connecting with others who have the knowledge, resources, and heart to make them a reality.

Have you ever thought about wanting to do something like this—to help others in such a tangible way? It’s been on my heart since I was a teenager. And if it’s something you haven’t thought about before, maybe now you will.