Dreams and Dreamers

Dreams are funny things (often literally).

From what I understand, they can happen during any stage of sleep, but we tend to remember the ones that occur during the REM (rapid eye movement) stage, as they usually are more vivid. And, if we awake during the REM stage (instead of at the end of a sleep cycle), we may remember even better. Many things can affect dreams, such as food, stress, sleeping positions, smells, sounds, medications, health, the movies/etc. we take in, etc.

But sometimes dreams seem to be more than brain activity and all that.

My mom had a dream that involved the church family member that died, and she was so alive and well and lovely and at peace.

My dad had a dream that a prodigal we know and love came “home.” And I’m almost scared to hope, because what if the lost is never found never allows herself to be found?

I dreamed about another prodigal. She was happy to see me, and we sat around a full table to eat, and we prayed, and she was the connecting link between a Christian male and a non-Christian female. Is it a sad picture of what she is, or is it a hopeful sign of what she could become?

In that same dream, another girl whom I’m pretty sure isn’t saved took me aside to tell me “I’m a Christian,” and we rejoiced. (Why did she take just me aside? Did I–will I–have a part in her coming to Christ?)

I had that dream about a grieving woman saying that it feels like she’s walking barefoot on sharp gravel but that God has taken off His shoes and is walking with her.

I know other people have had dreams that are messages, nudges to keep on hoping, etc.

God spoke through dreams in the Bible–to Jacob, Joseph, Solomon, Daniel, Joseph (Mary’s husband), and others. Joel 2:28-32, quoted in Peter’s Pentecostal sermon (Acts 2:14-36), says that God will pour out His spirit and people will prophesy, dream, and see visions.

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh;
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids
in those days will I pour out my spirit.

Joel 2:28-29 (KJV)

So maybe God is speaking through these dreams and I must pay attention.

Again, I’m almost scared to hope for some of these things/people, scared to love them. The prodigals/unsaved seem to be walking further and further away, quite content with their lifestyle. Will my hopes be dashed; will the come-home-celebration instead be a forever-goodbye-funeral? I definitely feel like I’m walking barefoot on sharp gravel, but it’s hard to see–hard to believe–that God is walking with me. But this sewer-rat hope is settling in my bones, my heart, my soul, and I must learn to carry its weight.

I believe, Lord; help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).

Let me be a dreamer.