Dreams And Reality

 The other night I had a dream... in this dream, I got married. 

 

 Normally when I dream about getting married, it's usually some random guy I know, and I wake up totally freaked out.  Honestly. Those dreams scare me. :P 

 This one didn't scare me.... I woke up thinking "that was the typical mashed up nonsense..." then as I remembered details from the dream, I started getting excited.  This was no ordinary dream.  

 Here is the dream.... 

 A young man whom I have never met in person, came to visit. I knew him previously, but had never met him. 

 We knew he was coming, but not when.  

 One day he showed up, and instantly hit it off with my Dad and brother.  They worked a lot together, and got to be very close friends. 

 There was a girl in the dream, who was very scantily clad, and was one of those flighty, trashy sort.  This girl was always trying to get me to be like her. 

 She was always saying things like "live for the moment" "who cares about the future, it's not like you're waiting for anything special" 

 This girl was a "strange woman" by the Proverbs definition.  But, she was a friend from childhood, so we let her stay at our house. 

 The young man didn't like when that girl was around, but tried to be polite to her at least. 

 

 It became evident that this young man had the intent to marry me.  (awkward, I know; that's what typically freaks me out about these sort of dreams :P)

 One day when we got up to start the day, he was gone.  No warning. Just gone. 

 He never said he had any intention of leaving, never said goodbye. Just, left. 

 We were all very sad that he left. It hurt that he left. Especially since he didn't even say goodbye. 

 But! Here's the good part... He left a letter!!! :D  

 This letter was addressed to me, and explained it all. 

 It started out "I have gone to prepare a place for my future bride, when that place is ready, I'll return for her. Until I return, here is a list of things I love about her, and want her to always be. Also a list of things that distress me.  I see she has influences about her (speaking of that girl staying with us) which may mar her character. Things which will cause much damage if once she accepts them."

 Then he went on about the things he wanted me to improve on... things he wanted me to learn, and do. 

 It was a very lengthy letter. At the very end it said "I will come back for you, I can't say when. But I wish my bride to be ready when I return."

 I was very excited about it.  Reading the letter every day, making sure I was matching the list. Making sure that I was ready, because there's no telling when he will come back. 

 This girl, every day, made fun of my excitement. She tried to make me doubt that he would ever come. Always trying to make him out to be a liar.  Always comparing him to the trashy men she hung around with, and twisting what he said to sound like them.  Mocking me when I said I knew him to be other than that from  what he said in his letter; saying that it was one letter, written some time ago. "It's not like you talk regularly. He doesn't even write you new letters!" 

 It was very hard to keep believing in him... but every time I read the letter, the excitement returned, and I kept on trying to accomplish his list. 

 This girl kept saying "You know, if he really loves you, it won't matter if you match that old list anyway. You're just trying to be 'good enough' for him, when he already said he loves you. If he really meant it, then you have nothing to worry about." And then turning right around and saying things like - "You messed up today. You didn't match the list today. He's not going to want you now, why even try?" 

 I always vehemently disagreed with her; saying he was honest, truthful, loving, forgiving, patient, kind, merciful.  Always quick to defend him. 

 The dream ended with him coming back, and finding me ready!  When I woke up, it was understood that there was going to be a wedding soon. 

 Normally when I wake up from dreaming about my wedding, I'm freaked out. :P It's very awkward for me.  

 But this dream, I woke up thinking - wow. That certainly wasn't an ordinary dream.  Actually, I wouldn't mind if it had been reality.... wait a minute.... 

Think about it... doesn't that dream sound familiar?  

 It IS reality!  I have that letter!!  

 Seriously! I do have that letter!  He did come for me. He did leave that list. He did promise to come back for me.  What am I doing to be ready for when He comes? 

 The difference here is that, the letter has a title.   The Holy Bible.  

 God Himself is coming for me! The world is trying to say He won't come, or that He's lying, or not really what He says He is.    Am I defending Him, like I did the young man in my dream?  Am I preparing for the day He returns, like I was for the young man in the dream? 

 When He comes, will He find me ready, as the young man in the dream did? 

 Am I treasuring His letter as I did the letter in my dream? 

 Okay, so it was just a dream. But that dream woke me up more fully to reality. 

 Honestly, I wouldn't mind if that happened in "real life", but since it is already reality, what am I doing about it? 

 Here's the challenge.  You have the letter too.  What are you doing with it?  What are you doing right now to prepare for that day? Will He find you ready? 

 Matthew 24:36

 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

  

                Busily waiting...

                      Hallie