My Dream House

The porch welcomed me with its swing and flower baskets decorating the entryway. I entered the living room, its large window looking out on the front yard. Boxes scattered throughout, I began the process of putting items in place. Several weeks later, it felt like home, everything where it belonged.
One morning I saw a door I had never noticed before. Is that a closet? The door opened into a large kitchen. The oak cupboards and pedestal table gave the space a warm, inviting feeling. The refrigerator and cupboards seemed well stocked with all the essentials.
Stunned, I investigated the new area and found an archway leading to another door. A room filled with bookshelves stood behind that door. The books, though very old, did not fall apart in my hands and looked intriguing. I opened some bookshelf doors and found items left behind by former residents. Among those items were obvious treasures and other things. It would take years to figure it all out.

After a few days in the kitchen and library, I found a new space, an arboretum, a domed circular space filled with various plants and trees and in the center a beautiful flowing fountain. I sat down on one of the benches and rested. The sun poured in from the skylight warming the room and my spirit.

As I rose to return to the library I noticed another door. How large was this house? I walked into a series of four rooms, each uniquely decorated with a bed, nightstand, dresser and with a sliding glass door leading out to a pool.

The pool, however, was green and slimy, not inviting for anyone. I would need help to clean it.

I love this dream and have it several times a year. It stays pretty much the same, always the same rooms. I've pondered its meaning and have come to this conclusion.

The house represents my relationship with Jesus Christ. I had no clue what was really entailed in the Christian walk. I thought it just involved going to church, reading the Bible, praying...be good, go to Heaven. But as I studied His Word and fellowshipped with other believers in worship and study, my understanding increased. And new doors have opened, revealing the treasure available in Christ.

The Kitchen: The Word of God is food to our souls, not only for our own consumption, but for others who would join us to feast at His table, always well set and prepared.

The Library: With 66 books, the Word of God is filled with wisdom of and for the ages. We have to open it and read it to find the truths and treasures that are hidden within.

The Arboretum: Jesus calls us to come to Him as the source of peace and rest. Our best serving comes when we have rested in Him.

Extra Rooms: What I have in Christ, while personal, is not just mine alone but meant to be shared with others.

Dirty Pool: This one confuses me. A pool should be a good place to relax, unwind and be refreshed, but not a dirty pool. However, it does remind me, that all I have is in Christ and I cannot do it on my own.

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" Romans 11:33

A New Beginning

Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. Ecclesiastes 11:4-6

I used to spend a lot of time writing. I carried a notebook with me and wrote in it every spare moment I had. In the seventh grade, one teacher allowed me to read my book to the class and I received a lot of encouragement. I'm not sure why I put the writing aside, but for years my writing was confined to journals in which I recorded events, feelings and the occasional "ARGH!" when I felt totally overwhelmed.

Recently my passion for writing has been renewed. It involves a bit more than a notebook and typewriter. The computer makes editing much easier, but blogging? this is a new venture for me though many of my younger friends blog regularly with great ease. And putting my writing out where it can be criticized and rejected, it's tough to ignore those potential storm clouds, but is part of planting seed.

Come along and seek the Kingdom of God with me. Let's discover the truth that is revealed in the Word of God and enjoy the process together as we share the joys and trials along the way.