Is a Dream Only a Dream?

Pam and I had dinner with some of our great friends about a week and a half ago. At some point after dinner, we started to discuss dreams with Kim and Randy - sleepy dreams, not life goals. During the conversation, I let everyone know that I rarely wake up remembering a dream.

Fast-forward to last night. Pam was having a rough evening after putting Cooper down for the night (as evident by her post). I've heard that our dreams are impacted by the events of the previous day. But when I woke up this morning, I asked myself "was that a dream or was it a sign?"

Let me give you a little background information first....

I am active on the board of directors for the Greene County Habitat for Humanity. One of the founders of our affiliate is the Rev. John Dorean, the pastor of Jefferson Baptist Church. To say that John is well-known and well-respected would be an understatement.

Back to my dream......

I was sitting at work in a cubicle (I really don't have one). It was early in the morning and I was surrounded by all the things wonderful people had brought me to either get through the day or comfort me. Coffee cups. Energy drink cans. Cookies. Candy. Crackers. Empty beer cans.

John came by and immediately saw the empty beer cans. Here is our conversation.

John: Perry, what the hell are you doing drinking this early? (for the record, I haven't relied on alcohol to get me through this)

Me: Thanks for the support John (sarcastically). How do you expect me to get through this?

John: I have a better solution Perry. It's called prayer and Jesus. You know, as a pastor, I always thought I had a gift to talk to anyone and everyone and I would keep their attention. I once had a goal to be able to keep attention for 90 straight minutes. So I was taking a trip with a guy that I barely knew. I decided to, not necessarily preach, but just keep his attention about religion for 90 minutes. And you know what?

Me: It worked?

John: No. It failed miserably. I was successful for about 15 minutes before our conversation turned to something else. But you know who's attention I can keep for 90 minutes?

Me: No, John. Who? (again sarcastically and anyone that knows me can probably picture me saying this)

John: God and Jesus. And it's done through heart-felt prayer.

And that was the end of the dream. No lie. I promise. And I remember it as vividly as I described it.

On a similar note, my Aunt Sharon sent us Sarah Young's devotional Jesus Calling. When we received it late last week, I figured I'd start on October 1. Here is the short devotional for today and, again, does it seem like a coincidence? Probably not.

Worship Me only. I am King of kings and Lord of lords, dwelling in unapproachable Light. I am taking care of you! I am not only committed to caring for you, but I am also absolutely capable of doing so. Rest in Me, My weary one, for this is a form of worship.

Though self-flagellation has gone out of style, many of My children drive themselves like racehorses. They whip themselves into action, ignoring how exhausted they are. They forget that I am sovereign and that My ways are higher that theirs. Underneath their driven service, they may secretly resent Me as a harsh taskmaster. Their worship of Me is lukewarm, because I am no longer their First Love.

My invitation never changes: Come to Me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest. Worship Me by resting peacefully in My Presence.

Thanks to all who continue to pray for Cooper, us, Dr. Gus and his team, Coop's surgery and recovery and no complications among other things. We truly appreciate everyone who takes time out of their day, among all the other intentions you have on your own heart, mind and soul, to pray for our family.