The Dream House

All my adult life, I've had a recurring dream. Although the visual details change with each dream, the main theme is the same.

I am in my house. I know it is my house because it is familiar and welcoming, and I feel at home. I walk through the rooms, and discover hidden passages, closets and rooms that are stuffed with lots of things. Sometimes it is doubles of new appliances, or old antique furniture. Sometimes clothing and books. Each time it is more 'stuff' than I would ever need and I am amazed at the things I 'forgot I had'.

The houses are either the one I currently live in, but it has been expanded, or one I have just recently moved into.   The dream always leaves me feeling like a wealthy woman with lots of resources. Even our garage of wonder, which I have dubbed the car-space-turned-storage area where I 'wonder' if I can ever find anything, contains far less than the collections I see in my dreams.

My husband and I have been homeowners for over 22 years. The latest dream came the night after we had made our final trial payment to make our current house modified to make our mortgage more affordable. It was an 11th hour miracle that we made it on time, and I am so grateful for my real house as it has been provided by God for the last 13 years.

I've looked up the usual sources on dream interpretation. I think that maybe, just maybe, in my soul I know that this world could not ever contain all that I truly want and need, and that my dream house is a shadowy hint of that other world that I believe exists after this life.

I also know that in my life, as well as yours, lies great unmined and undiscovered treasure, resources that we have not not been able to 'see' or 'feel'. They are often found at unexpected times and in surprising places. If you are aware, you will begin to appreciate them. 

Perhaps it is the utter amazement of learning that you can do something you thought you never could, when pressed by difficult circumstances. Often it is the realization that your true treasure is the people in your life who love you and that you love. Sometimes it is the pure and unadulterated joy in just being alive, which, except in moments of great clarity, I take so blithely for granted.

I am grateful for the messengers of my subconscious, these fleeting reminders that I have so much to be thankful for, and so much to look forward to!

Book Inspires Paradigm Shift

A Review of Dreams and Visions by Tom Doyle

I didn't really want to choose this book from the book list, because I thought it was kind of a sensational title and I wouldn't like it.I couldn't imagine that hearing more about Muslims could be top on my the list. Boy, was I wrong. This is the book I mentioned in an earlier post that I couldn't wait to finish so I could review!

Pastor Tom Doyle, missionary to the Middle East, tells stories of Muslims all over the world who have received visitations from Jesus Himself and these dreams and visions are leading them to salvation. Often, these people came from strict, devout Muslim families, and some were even Imams,  mosque leaders whose job it is enforce Islamic ways on wayward followers. There are accounts of women as well as men. The dreams and visions often lead them to other Christians who help them understand the truth of the Word of God, and  are the gateway to a real and vibrant faith. These new believers are willing to die for Christ, and in many Middle East countries, it's a real possibility. Some have been martyred already.

Using first hand accounts and relaying stories told by friends, Doyle completely changed the fearful and predictable prejudice that I had harbored, unknowingly,  against my Arab brothers and sisters all over the world.

I have begun not only to pray for them, but also to ask for opportunities to serve Muslims in my own town.I can't remember when a book so transformed my thinking as well as my heart attitude.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers in return for my honest opinion of the book.

I Wrap It Up: Day 30 of the Count Your Blessings Challenge

Well it's happened. I've got blessings running over and I've run out of month.

In my attempt to wrap this up, I've got to share with you some of my hopes and dreams.

I have four adolescent/young adult daughters. How many times over the past couple years would I have loved to pamper them! To take them all for pedicures, shopping and lunch on a whim. To buy their friends lunch. To throw big backyard parties. To let them decorate their rooms all at once, refurnish their bedrooms. To take them on family vacations, to buy their yearbooks and new school clothing (both - not one or the other). To go and get our hair done all together. To buy them the books they want. To buy them all new bikes. To help buy them each a car. To travel to visit colleges. To pay for college. It's been so tight. Instead they've seen the utilities turned off. Heard us for hours on the phone with creditors. They've never been hungry, but sometimes it wasn't the food they wanted. They've shopped second hand frequently. I could go on, but I don't want to sound whiny.

The question sneaks in: Where's the blessing?

Two-part, if you must ask. First of all, I know what my girls are like when they don't have everything. And finer girls you never saw! Having everything you want usually makes a different (and not so pleasant) person out of you than not having everything. My girls are living proof of this, and I am so proud of them.  I guess underneath it all, more than the material blessings, the nurturing of their spirits is what I've truly wanted. The second part is this. I've trusted God with my whole life. If He can promise me that all things work together for good and His glory, then I can trust that no matter what I go through, even when I'm in the middle of things that  I've messed up, it's safe.
.
I'm safe.

You're safe.

We're safe.

It's the only way to live. Jesus said life is far more than clothes and food, even more than our physical bodies.  And we can trust Him. You can't learn this on a Sunday School picnic. At least I wasn't chosen to learn it on a Sunday School picnic. Maybe you were.

But wherever you are, I hope you, too, are learning to trust Him, the One from Whom all blessings flow.