"I'll See You in My Dreams . . ." Part I

Genesis 41:12
"Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard.  We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream."

When you sleep, do you dream?  Do you recall your dreams upon awakening?  Are your dreams random, silly, nonsensical?  Or, do you ever have recurring dreams, one for which you seek some meaning?

I remember dreaming when I sleep, but it is rare for me to recollect anything but bits and snatches of them once I am awake.  What I do remember usually has no rhyme or reason to it.

And, while I've endured recurring nightmares in my life, I've only had one recurring dream.

Just.  One.

It begins with me knowing, instinctively, I am in an extremely large home.  I enter a room which I recognize immediately as a study.  It is dimly lit, but far from cheerless.

Books line the wood-paneled walls.  A fire crackles comfortably on a stone hearth whose mantle is graced by a clock of Victorian appearance.  Two generously padded armchairs are drawn close to the fireplace.

I can see, in my mind's eye, the two literary giants in my life, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien occupying those chairs.  Puffing on their pipes.  Sipping a pint.  Conversing in soft, low tones.

But, the seats are empty.

The room is still.  So still that I can hear every tick of the clock.  Every pop of the flames.

I want to stay.  I long to stay.

Then, without warning, I am whisked away to a twisting, turning stone corridor, lit by torches.  I walk quickly.  Headed where?

I think to other rooms, but, no!

There is daylight coming through a large crevice in the wall.  It is the way out.  

The way I am always drawn to take.

I exit into the blinding sunshine.

Instantaneously, I find myself standing on the wrong side of a gargantuan, gleaming gate.

Part of a seemingly endless and equally glimmering fence.

Behind which sprawls the most stately and elegant mansion I have ever seen.

I know that I was just where I was.

Inside.

Now, outside.  Far, far outside . . .

That is when I wake.

And, remember . . .
 ~
Tomorrow, I will tell you what happens in my life that allows me, at long last, to understand this dream.  To know why it occurred again and again.

Until then, would you, like Joseph, try to interpret this dream?  Will you share with me what it is saying to you?

Please pray with me.
Thank you, Father, for watching over us always, whether we are awake or asleep.  Bless us with restful slumbers that we may ever be prepared to face the challenges of a new day and serve You in all things.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 55 or 138, 139:1-17 (18-25)
Genesis 41:1-13
1 Corinthians 4:1-7
Mark 2:23-3-6