By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

In a dream: I am sitting at a table with a team of people chosen to counsel a woman whose driving had caused a death. She was stunned to the core. Her mind could not receive the truth: Her carelessness had taken the life of another by breaking a “rule of the road.”

In the dream, I felt the horror this woman would soon feel once she could grasp the truth. I felt great sorrow for her knowing how exceedingly awful this realization would become for her.

I awakened to the fact that person could have been me. Last week, I was dealing with what felt to be too much to handle. Already, life was pushing me in the direction of fearing “what’s going to come next.” I was rushing my days, pushing through—even to the point of entering the intersection on a yellow light . . . moving right on through it. I am ashamed to say there was a twinge of satisfaction in making it. For a couple of moments I rushed it—and “saw red.” This, in face of the truth, that I almost never have allowed myself this breach in the “rules of the road.”

The dream showed me the truth. My squeaking through any yellow could have killed someone. I awakened from the dream still feeling oh-so-sorry for this woman who would have to face up to the result of her behavior . . . while also “seeing” how all that awfulness would come to my psyche had her truth become my own. I thanked God for this dream! There would be no more running a yellow light for me!

Hebrews 10: 18, says, “I will put my laws in their hearts, and in their minds I will write them.” This being a fact with “the laws of man”– how much more so is it true with “the laws of God? And, if I fail to obey the laws of man am I fooling myself to think God and I are on the same page?

What if we could live each day of our lives captivated–and in complete awe of God . . . realizing what He is doing (and has done) in our lives? His plan is to bring us to Himself. Throughout and within our experiences and trails—God is growing us–getting us ready to live with Him in eternity’s “forever.”

VIEW FREE- – at Healing-with-Joy.com Joy’s children’s book titled: The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places. There, you will also find many helpful articles for people who are struggling with varied difficulties. All is free to use, simply credit this website.

During my sleep the other night this brief, powerful dream brought me front and center with God’s love.  In the dream my husband, Gary, is having a stream of trouble regarding his health. I awaken while hearing myself speak these words to him, “No matter what the circumstances I am here with you, loving you.”

Instantly, the dream changes:  I see sheep — a lot of sheep — then I hear what I know to be the voice of God, saying, “This is my message to my sheep:  “No matter what the circumstances I am here with you, loving you, leading you!”

The dream portrayed the great love I have for Gary; I felt the compassion that flows from me to him while seeing him plagued day by day with the limitations and difficulties that come from having cancer. As I awakened, I was enriched through vividly feeling that love. Yet, I was struck even more deeply through realizing this dream also reveals God’s great love for us.  He leads us as a beloved flock.

The dream allowed me to experience an apex of human love while, at the same time, showing me how much greater, deeper and wider–is God’s love for us  . . . His empathy and compassion! He is with us in our sufferings!

The New Testament extends various analogies that show God’s love for us — even to include Christ calling us “His bride.” A bride is one who is cherished and enjoyed!