I can’t help but think of my husband, Gary, who married me with three little boys to raise, ages 4, 7 and 9. Sure, he fell in love with me, but also he was a handsome guy with a good job as a ticket agent for Greyhound Bus Lines. There were women he may have preferred, but he chose me, one who had come out of a great struggle from a calamitous marriage, with hundreds of dollars still owed to her lawyer. He opted to come alongside me in life, making sure I, with my sons, had a nice home with everything we needed to help a family do well. He gave himself to us, out of love, yes, but he stepped in not knowing how it would all come down. He was, and is, my knight in shining armor—with amour in his heart. God saw it and blessed him. And, blessed us. As Christmas approaches, it is especially grand as we were married on Christmas Day and are about to have our 54^th anniversary. (Our “living room” marriage took place while Gary was on a brief Christmas leave from the Navy Seabees.)

Because of Gary’s sacrificial love, I could now know “our” family would be OK!

Early in our marriage. I experienced a sudden, life threatening illness—taking me right up to heaven’s gate. Yet, a risky surgery brought me back. Gary was beside my hospital bed for hours each day, then home taking care of the needs of three little boys. While spending much recuperation time in bed, I discovered that journaling, prayer and dream work were of great help as I sought healing. Consequently, these practices, coupled with studying the Bible, have continued throughout life.

Dreams can be teachers. A recent dream portrayed elements that show up within the lives of people who “truly live.” The dream infers that the “giving” we do in life will majorly influence what takes place once we reach the eternal realms of heaven.

Prior to this point in life, I’ve come to believe life is all about “how” we love . . . and that the more we love in this life the more we are like our Creator. Within last night’s dream another piece is added. The pictures and symbols portrayed that there is a very different “end result” in the next life when we give strictly from the heart, versus having an ulterior motive of gaining worth, needing something back, or giving out of fear of being “dissed if we don’t.”

This will be surprising to us in the next life, as we may not expect what comes. 1st Corinthians 3:9-14, came to me immediately after the dream, which speaks of us being “co-workers in God’s service . . .” Verse 12, says, “If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.” Wow! There will be a fire—to put our works to the test!

The dream showed how giving of ourselves and our abilities—not to be seen or admired, nor to gain power or appreciation—and not out of fear of any kind . . . but simply out of love, can never be destroyed. This is a giving that will STAND the heat of fire once our earthly lessons are over. I saw clearly in the dream that only what we have done on earth out of love will matter. And, speaking of the rewards, these will be empowerments. After the dream it was easy to believe our rewards will fortify and increase our natural abilities, expanding these magnificently throughout eternity. New, enriched understanding of all we have learned while here on earth will be ours. It brings joy to imagine what all may be ahead for us.

Thanks be to God for the gift of life and love—and thanks for the memories.

By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA

In past years, God captured my attention regarding my fears. Huge uncertainties about the future and qualms about the present seem to siphon off much of the peace and joy Jesus called “abundant life.”  It is those “little foxes” of fear that can rock one’s boat–big time!

The other night a dream took me on a tour of the earth. In a unique way, Father God showed me the beauties, the wonders, and the grandeur of this place called “plan-et.”  Within this dream, I am overjoyed with the colors, shapes, and glorious movement seen with God at my elbow.

The scene switches. God and I are sitting in a row boat together. He is rowing while I sit at the stern enjoying. We are in waters that are shallow at times and at other times so deep they seem bottomless. A sort of canyon like atmosphere surrounds us with rock formations to the right and to the left.

The stones are gigantic, exquisitely rich in color with veins of red and gold. The water is transparently clear. God and I are taking time out. I revel in His power to create such majesty in the formations of the earth. We are as one. And I am at peace.

That is until I think of what else is going on in the earth. I could see many “brothers” and “sisters” who did not want to be in God’s boat. Some were playing with destructive forces found in the earth. Some were grasping for power, striving to gain prestige and reverence. Never having found love, some were in a life or death struggle to gain what they considered as the next best thing. Others were making mischief just for the sheer pleasure of it, while thriving on, or ignoring, the sufferings of others. Fear struck my heart as I sat there in the boat with God. But He rowed on, evenly watching my eyes.

Suddenly I realize what folly it is on my part to fear. What, with God so near?  Wasn’t He the Creator?  Had He ceased to be in control?  Could mere humans upset His plan?  Does He not know all?  See all?  Is He not everywhere – always aware?  How can I think for a moment that the Creator can ever be thwarted by mere, finite creatures?

Like a bubble that bursts with the touch of a finger, my fears fled. Now, I see! God is in my boat and He is at the helm! Consciously returning to the truth of His love, I am enveloped with peace. Now, to let peace reign day by day . . . hour by hour. The circumstances about me need not touch this marvelous peace, if I can only keep my thoughts from the “what ifs.”  With my eyes riveted on His, my soul becomes overjoyed in the presence of His company.

Here, I catch the simple truth. Just trust. Just believe the Father’s words through Jesus His Son:  “Fear not … Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”  As my dream nears its end, the Father throws back His head and laughs. I cover my mouth as laughter begins to roll in me. Dare I laugh?  Am I so safe as to laugh in the face of my fears?

Yes, is the resounding answer! I will laugh! I will enjoy the “ride” on this river called life, reveling in the glorious grandeur seen by the eyes—and seen by the Spirit, as God is in my “boat” and He is holding the oars.

Author info. Joy is a Board certified clinical chaplain. She has written four books and many articles to help people get through the hardships of life.   View FREE her children’s book at this site’s home page. Internet analytics show people are reading Joy Le Page Smith’s blogs in up to 32 countries.