Do You Have a Dream?
(John 20:30-31 ESV)
Standing so close to the cross, John must have felt the chill of the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
And wondered if, after this, he would ever feel like living again.
PTSD, for sure.
Until the resurrection.
John was likely into old age when he penned his gospel.
I picture him writing into the nights.
Trying to get it all down.
Arthritic fingers in a permanent state of cramped.
In a final flourish, he pens an etcetera of sorts.
Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
(v.30)
Too many to chronicle.
Signs for the crowds.
Signs for the disciples.
And just-for-John signs.
Personal and precious.
I flip to the book of Ruth.
To another character intimately familiar with the chill of the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi.
Who wonders if she will ever feel like living again.
Until the flame of a dream begins warming her soul.
A dream of marrying off Ruth and Boaz . . .
Filling her head with plans.
Her heart with exuberance.
And her soul with life.
Sometimes the birth of a dream is a sign of God’s activity in your spirit.
For me, it’s been more of a rebirth of a dream.
To, don’t judge me here, spend a week at a dude ranch.
Riding horses all day.
Wild and free.
Okay, maybe calm and contained at this age, but still . . .
Two parts exciting.
I love everything cowboy.
Three parts terrifying.
Out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere Wyoming is a really long way away.
I double down on a should-I-or-shouldn’t-I prayer.
Then float the idea to my grandsons.
“We are so going!” they shout.
They are so not going; this is my dream.
Totally undeterred, they are belting out Rhinestone Cowboy.
All the lyrics.
How would they even know that old song?
Feels like a sign.
Early the next morning I’m grocery shopping.
And right there in the frozen food aisle the overhead music starts playing Rhinestone Cowboy.
Seriously?
Too random to be random.
Then while unpacking those same groceries in my kitchen, Alexa “randomly” selects a Randy Travis song I’ve never heard before.
The first line stops me cold.
🎵There are horses in Heaven! It says it in the Bible right there in Revelation. 🎵
Third sign.
Should-I-or-shouldn’t-I prayer answered.
Trip booked.
I might be tempted to believe this is all just so coincidental, except that I run into a friend after church.
He’s had his own experience feeling the chill of the Valley of the Shadow.
Wondering if he’d ever feel like living again.
But the Lord has rebirthed a dream in his heart.
Trout fishing.
He’s already organized his tackle box and booked a cabin.
Full of plans, exuberance . . . and life.
His excitement warms my soul.
John concludes . . .
these [signs] are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ . . .
and that by believing you may have life in his name.
(v.31)
A life full of just-for-you signs of His activity.
Personal and precious.
Who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of!
(Ephesians 3:20 TLB)
See you in a couple weeks.
Love,
I love the way you pray and God answers with song!! He speaks to us in so many fun and strange ways! You are my encouragement in so many ways!!
He’s answered in a song before, but never with something like Rhinestone Cowboy. That was a surprise for sure! Henry’s and Matthew’s favorite line is the one about “getting cards and letters from people I don’t even know.” I don’t expect any cards or letters, but for sure everyone at the ranch will be people I don’t even know! Yet . . .
Dream come true or prayer answered? Both. Looking forward to hearing about the many ways He will encounter you. Have so much fun.
Both for sure! Thank you, Harriett. I hope it’s fun – Wyoming is a long way to go to not have fun.
You ‘go girl’! Planning a trip to see my sponsored boy in Dominican Republic with my daughter, son and granddaughter next Feb/Mar. – dream and answered prayer!
I love that! More than we ask or imagine . . . that’s our God!
Wow! Talk about a God moment. He answers prayer if you listen. Praying you have an awesome time. And I can’t wait to hear about the trip. Isn’t it overwhelming when He answers prayer like that? I had that happen when we were trying to decide what house to buy down here. There were 2 we were trying to decide on and I prayed that God would show me which one we should buy. We went to see them both a second time. When I opened one of the kitchen cabinets to see how big they were, I found that she had the exact same dishes set that I had. We immediately decided on this one. God is so good.
I can just see you, Shari, standing in that kitchen when you opened the cabinet doors and saw those dishes just like yours inside. A perfect vision of what yours were about to look like on those shelves. Your eyes must have been as round as saucers (see what I did there?)! God sure is good.
I absolutely love this Cindy!! God answering in a song or a gentle whisper is so amazing!! I’m so excited for you and can’t wait to hear all about your trip. Don’t know when you’re going, but I’ll be praying for the most wonderful time. 💖
I’m going on Saturday. As in 5 days from now! It’s a little terrifying going alone, but the Lord reminded me yesterday that I am going by myself, but I am most certainly not going alone. He will be there every minute.
RIDE ‘EM, COWGIRL!
Love this Cindy!
And You definitely will not be alone!
Have a wonderful time!
Post some pics for us!
I’ve never been to Wyoming, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to feel like a foreign country! Luckily they’ll speak English and use US dollars.
Riding out on a horse in a star spangled rodeo…Like a Rhinestone Cowboy!!
I’m so happy for you and love your seeing, hearing, trusting and bravery! God is good!
Head ’em up and move ’em out!! Rawhide!!!
I love you!, Harriette
It’s all very exciting and terrifying; but if not now, when? I’m ready to head ’em up and move ’em out!
Cindy I am so happy you are going it always amazes me how God put different things in our life . He sure knows how to get us out our comfort zone. We are to love life and go where God’s leads us ! Have fun ! Love ❤️
After 2 days of delays I’m on the plane to Wyoming right now!
I am catching up on my reading and emails after being with my sister for several days. I hope you have a wonderful trip and make lots of memories. I love the paths on which God leads us if we are tuned into his voice.
I flew home last night. There sure were a LOT of paths to trot on in Wyoming! More to come on that in the coming weeks . . .