I had a dream recently. Barry and I are on our boat, but we are "rafted" with another boat, tied side by side. The wind picks up and, being rafted, our boat starts swinging wildly -- dangerously -- spinning around in circles. We know what to do, and we agree: remove the rudder. So we do. Next scene: Roobie (our dog) is swimming toward us, but then I see something awful. She is sinking as she swims (she is submerged -- under the water -- she has no air)! Her strokes are steady and strong, but her eyes show that she knows she is in trouble. She is terrified, yet noble in persevering. She keeps paddling, sliding lower below the surface, but paddling still. It’s as if she knows her only hope is that I will realize what is happening and will reach her in time to save her life.
I suddenly discern what is happening to her and, somehow (I don’t know how) I reach her and, with unnatural strength, am able to pull her into the boat. Safely aboard, we discover the problem: the rudder we had thrown overboard had become entangled with her tail and was pulling her down. We get her extricated from the heavy rudder, and she goes into the cabin, down below. She is OK. We are OK.
Now that our lovely, sweet, brave, excellent dog is safely aboard, my husband and I know we need to re-attach the rudder. So we do. But we are no longer attached to another boat, so our vessel will be safe now, even if we swing. There was more in the dream, but that's all I can really remember. The remainder of it had something to do with Clare sending or lending boats and assistance from shore, but nothing was much help.
I think in the dream I am the dog. The message seems clear: Whitney, child, look at Me like Roobie looked at you in the dream. No matter what is pulling you down, fix your eyes on Me like Roobie did – and keep paddling! Picture how she paddled: steady, faithful, full of hope. It is a picture of how I want you to be even when you are frightened in the natural: enduring in faith, eyes on Me. I am to keep on paddling, my eyes on Him, my source, my hope.
P.S. This painting is by my pal, Claudia Wood Rahm, who entitled it Praise in the Storm. You can see more of her work on her Facebook page under the photos section.
This account of your dream tears at my heart. I can see Roo's eyes and her unwavering confidence you will save her. What a magnificent metaphor! Thanks for posting the painting too. It is appropriate somehow. When we paddle like crazy through life's storms, don't we praise God simply by trusting in Him?
ReplyDeleteYup oh yup yup yup -- plus your painting really seems to capture how it FEELS (at least to me) in the midst of a trial such as the recent back pain. Love you, ducky, and am grateful for your comment!
ReplyDeleteThis dream trial demonstrates for me Paul's saying "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1Cor 13:13. I wonder if faith, hope, and love aren't the invisible yoke (bond) Jesus invites us to put on, shared with Him.
ReplyDeleteLove -- yes -- LOYAL love for HIm no matter the circumstances. That can be so hard. It has helped me to picture Jesus standing on the water with His arms wide open as Peter walked on water toward Him (Matthew 14:29-30). This visual image has helped me through some hard things, because it has urged me to keep my eyes FIXED on Him, looking neither to the right nor to the left. If I let my eyes wander off of Him, I end up looking down at "the water" only to realize I can't walk on water! Then, like Peter, I sink.
ReplyDelete...and like Roobie you keep paddling under water toward Him.
ReplyDeleteme smiling...
ReplyDeleteFaith grows by focusing on Him and holding on desperately.
ReplyDeleteI agree -- we are to hold lightly onto the things of this world, but we are CLING to HIm at all times and in all circumstances. Today (May 14, 2011) is the 60th anniversary of Israel's regathering in 1948. Translation: I am clinging!
ReplyDeleteYour dream made me think of another dream I read and here is the link.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.johnthebaptisttv.com/2011/05/11/vision-escaping-the-spirit-of-the-age/#more-1005
Keeping my eyes on Christ....and your blog!!! :)
Carl
Wow, Carl -- that blog is amazing. He is speaking my language (that is, the language of the New Testament as I read it). You might enjoy reading openheavendigest.com and also T. Austin-Sparks. If you have not already discovered T. Austin-Sparks, his website sends blurbs daily that are short and powerful. Thank you so much for sending me this link. I will check in there again. And thanks for making a comment. Claudia's cookie threats are certainly effective!
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