Tip of My Iceberg

Two of our dearest friends have just moved to Colorado, a place near and dear to our hearts. Our fourth child was born there–mostly because I didn’t want to leave when I was supposed to and have her in Wisconsin where we were living at the time.

Our daughter is a dear for sending us pictures of their hikes around the many mountains of the Centennial State, named that because it became a state one hundred years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Recent pictures of the wildflowers blooming throughout the mountains is a reminder that beauty grows somewhere in this country despite the miserable high temperatures in so many places.

Such blooming beauty isn’t really happening here in Florida.

I can dream. Moving to Colorado has been one of those dreams.

For many, dreaming is a way of hoping for what seems improbable but is worth considering despite the challenges. Not the kind of dreams that happen when we’re asleep, These are the kinds of things that border on fantasy and indulgence of our hearts because of something we desire. Dreams often give us a sense of direction when life seems stuck.

I’ve had dreams of becoming a published author. I’ve written a book, but I’m not pursuing any publishing at the moment–it’s more effort than I have energy for now. But it’s what led me to blogging, so getting my thoughts out is a step toward that dream. It’s a way forward.

Dreams often are the way to help us understand more of who we are, There are several times in the Bible where dreams helped move different people forward to hope-filled solutions.

Not all those dreams were positive, though they led to positive solutions.

One of my favorites was Joseph. The second youngest son of Jacob, he was his dad’s favorite, and he took every chance he could to rub his brothers noses in that reality. They became fed up with him, sold him into slavery in Egypt, told his dad he’d been killed by wild beasts, and believed they were free of his arrogance.

Joseph had a rough time as a slave. His master appreciated him, but his master’s wife wanted a physical relationship with him. When he refused her, she made up a story of him attacking her, which sent him to prison.

Fast forward two years. Pharaoh had two frightening dreams, and none of his wise men could tell him with what they meant. Joseph had helped someone else understand their dreams while in prison, so he was called on to figure this out.

“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.’ ‘It is beyond my power to do this,’ Joseph replied. ‘But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.’” Genesis 41:15-16.

We all have dreams of some kind at some time. There are those dreams that make sense–like the dream of moving to Colorado, even though it may not be logical at the moment. Other dreams make no sense–only the Lord can put us at ease with direction and purpose.

Thinking outside our personal boxes is something that gives us a sense of adventure into the unknown, Dreaming of what might be can move us forward into places we may feel unsure of. God can shine truth and perspective onto dreams that give us hope.

Turning dreams into reality?

That’s worth dreaming about.