A magician dangled an ice cream cone filled with black raspberry ice cream in front of my face. The cone seemed to move back and forth, up and down, and around at the magician’s command. I searched for evidence of a string or wire connecting the cone to the magician’s hand but saw nothing except an intoxicating curiosity… not the ice cream, though I like black raspberry, but the magic. Lured by the dangling treat, I followed the magician down the sidewalk, away from something I hadn’t yet seen in this early-morning, dozing dream.

Suddenly, I sensed I was being played. Glancing back, I saw my desk items fanned along the sidewalk. Two thieves were reaching for my purse and laptop.

“No,” I shouted, desperately running toward them. They paused to look at me, but I knew my possessions would soon be gone. “No, no, no…” I woke, shouting out loud.

 

Lately, I’ve been distracted, worried about family and friends, old and young, in particular my daughter and granddaughter, living among political hostilities in Hong Kong. And while writing, revising, submitting essays for publication— and awaiting feedback on my completed manuscript—I’ve been dipping more than my toes into marketing… a daunting prospect in a sometimes-hostile social media environment. Also, like the beginning of school, our service commitments amp up in the fall, but projects we’d hoped to complete during the summer here at home remain incomplete.

DeskSept2019Since my dreams usually debrief recent events in odd ways, I went searching for the strange references. Last week, I completed my review of Bible study lessons to date, from Genesis to Acts, in which Simon the magician appears in chapter 8 and Elymas the magician in chapter 13. Perhaps this was the reason why a sorcerer appeared in my dream. Also last week, our church business meeting took place in the new building’s parking lot, since we still don’t have occupancy. Perhaps that event connected to my unsettled workspace on the sidewalk—unlike its usual state as pictured here. Was the theft of my purse and laptop about loss of identity and mission because I was distracted by yummy ice cream and magic?

Was my dream about loss of faith, a warning about distraction?

I prayed for protection from sorcerers and thieves: He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4 (NIV)

 

This morning, I dreamed about going back to school, which is typical for teachers this time of year, even a former teacher like me. My dream was unusual, that is, not about being improperly dressed or not capable to teach the assigned course or not prepared to take the test in a class I didn’t know I’d signed up for or not able to find the classroom. Instead, the dream opened with me serving ice cream to tired disaster workers in a school cafeteria—perhaps connected to hurricane Dorian or Labor Day, and a few days ago I made Keith’s favorite ice cream: rum raisin.

While I served ice cream in the dream, my boss stopped by to inform me she’d rejected an article I’d written for her, gratis. I nodded then calmly asked if she wanted me to withdraw it or revise. She cocked her head and said revise. I nodded. Thereafter, I walked into a brand-new building, found my classroom, and began to teach a course I was prepared to teach: American Art History. I did not have my purse or laptop with me, but among the faces, old and young, I saw my daughter’s.

Thanks be to God.

 

What dreams distract or comfort you?

13 Comments

  1. seekingdivineperspective

    Fascinating. (Reminds me of some of my own dreams.) Isn’t it interesting the way God uses things that are already on our minds to weave a story that conveys what He wants to say to us? I think your interpretation is right on.

    Reply
    • Carole Duff

      Thank you for your comment and encouragement. Keeping the door open to deeper meaning—God’s wisdom is so much greater.

      Reply
  2. Marianna Crane

    I took a class about dreams quite a while ago and was just amazed how our day life plays out in our dreams. One thing I do remember about the class is to try to find out what the symbols, persons, really mean to you. May not be a predictable as they seem. I had a funny warped looking person in my dream that turned out to be my artistic self that i was ignoring. So interesting!
    Thanks foy your post.

    Reply
    • Carole Duff

      How interesting! Thank you so much for your comment. I’m sure I don’t know half of what my dreams meant, so I’m watching for further insights.

      Reply
  3. Nancy Ruegg

    Oh, I like that last dream from this morning. Seems filled with hope and assurance that all will be well! Press on, Carole!

    Reply
  4. Mama Duck

    This was so interesting about your vivid dreams. I pray God blesses you with publication of your manuscript and/or articles very soon🙏🏻📚.

    Reply
    • Carole Duff

      Thank you so much! I pray for God’s help, that we may fulfill our missions.

      Reply
  5. bigskybuckeye

    Sometimes our dreams take us to places we least expect. I have dreamed of past teaching posts in Montana, and some take some unusual twists. I guess, once a teacher, always a teacher.

    I am praying for the situation in Hong Kong to settle down. May God shelter and protect.

    Reply
    • Carole Duff

      My teacher friends tell me they have sleepless nights and teaching dreams at the beginning of the school year, too.

      Thank you for your prayers about Hong Kong. There is a strong Christian presence in Hong Kong, evident in peaceful protests, and strong government repression of Christianity and other faiths in China. As noted in Acts, persecution often grows faith, though I wish the spread could be accomplished without so much suffering.

      Reply
  6. Loved by the King of kings

    Praying that God will keep your daughter safe.
    Thank you for sharing your dreams! I find it a very interesting topic!

    The dreams that
    distract me are the enigmatic ones that take awhile before I feel like I really have the symbolism solved. Other times, I feel like I understand right away. Some of my dreams have both a fear/anxiety producing element and a faith element that produces comfort.
    I have a dream category on my blog if you ever would like to check it out.

    Reply
    • Carole Duff

      Thank you for your prayers—and for sharing your dreams on your blog. I will, indeed, check it out. -C.D.

      Reply

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