Do you remember your dreams after you have been awake a few hours? What about remembering them after a few minutes?
* I guess it depends on the dream.
They must have given us dresses because the next image in my dream was the two of us in long gowns and heals with stylish up-dos and full make-up. Oh - and we were clean. Somehow we no longer had the crusty beach bum look. We walked across the stage from opposite sides of each other, then turned and went back.
As the music began, it was not as far fetched as the rest of the dream. My daughter and I began leaping around randomly with no choreography whatsoever. We clearly were pretending to be graceful by imitating ballet moves while the ribbons were getting twisted around our legs and arms. Instead of doing front rolls or graceful turns like true rhythmic gymnasts, we did side ways barrel rolls while the ribbon got caught around our torsos. We were so bad, we eventually rolled off of the square floor, got to our knees to strike a pose and held up our ribbons high in the air. We then stood up and walked right out the front door. When we got outside of the theater we began to laugh at how awful we were. Even in my dream we were laughing so hard we could not even speak.
I was not only laughing in my dream but I was physically laughing so hard I was shaking and woke myself up.
There are other colored ribbons that can be associated with my journey.
As I was sitting on my bed thinking about it, I glanced up and saw the tambourine my friend sent me in the mail. My husband hung it on the wall in a place I could see it while I was recovering after my surgery. It is my reminder to give thanks and praise God in ALL circumstances.
* I guess it depends on the dream.
If you look on the internet you can find thousands of books and articles on dreams.
- How to interpret dreams
- How to interpret dreams
- What dreams are most common
I find that the majority of my dreams make very little sense and are quickly forgotten.
However, I have never forgotten a dream I had while we were vacationing in Florida a few years ago. I remember because I laughed so hard in the dream, I woke myself up.
It is not a surprise that while sleeping my mind pictured my daughter and I leaving the beach with all of our gear as well as that "I really need a shower because I've been at the beach all day" look. We walked passed a theater which had a sign advertising a mother-daughter beauty pageant. My daughter instantly said, "Can we do that, mom? Please!" I responded, "Sure! That will be fun."
I need to interrupt here to tell you there is so much wrong with this dream already. Even if we were clean and had been to the salon, I can't imagine agreeing to being in a pageant.
They must have given us dresses because the next image in my dream was the two of us in long gowns and heals with stylish up-dos and full make-up. Oh - and we were clean. Somehow we no longer had the crusty beach bum look. We walked across the stage from opposite sides of each other, then turned and went back.
We met backstage pretty proud of ourselves until we heard the MC say, "Next, we will begin the talent competition". Instantly, we both panicked. "What are we going to do?!" I exclaimed. My daughter's face went from panic to peace as she thought she had an excellent idea. She proudly handed me a stick with a long ribbon.
Instantly, my mind placed us in the middle of a blue square gymnastics floor with the audience all around us. We were both proudly wearing leotards and holding up our rhythmic gymnastics ribbons.
Again, I interrupt to tell you......This is even more disturbing to me than the last image.
(We look nothing like the girl in this picture)
As the music began, it was not as far fetched as the rest of the dream. My daughter and I began leaping around randomly with no choreography whatsoever. We clearly were pretending to be graceful by imitating ballet moves while the ribbons were getting twisted around our legs and arms. Instead of doing front rolls or graceful turns like true rhythmic gymnasts, we did side ways barrel rolls while the ribbon got caught around our torsos. We were so bad, we eventually rolled off of the square floor, got to our knees to strike a pose and held up our ribbons high in the air. We then stood up and walked right out the front door. When we got outside of the theater we began to laugh at how awful we were. Even in my dream we were laughing so hard we could not even speak.
I was not only laughing in my dream but I was physically laughing so hard I was shaking and woke myself up.
I have never looked at rhythmic gymnastics or even long flowing ribbons the same since that dream. Seriously, I feel a tinge of embarrassment even though you and I are the only ones that know about my imaginary faux pas.
Most ribbons just make me smile, like balloons.
Not only are they good for my 'I Love Lucy' Style gymnastics routine, these colorful decorations can be on top of packages, made into bows, in little a little girl's hair or even a prize in a competition. Who wouldn't like a ribbon?
Apparently, ME
I was shocked by the initial negative reaction I had when someone wanted to put a pink, looped ribbon next to my name when she was emailing prayer requests to a group.
It wasn't like I did not know what the doctor had said. It wasn't like I did not want people to pray for my impending surgery and radiation treatments.
It wasn't like I did not know what the doctor had said. It wasn't like I did not want people to pray for my impending surgery and radiation treatments.
But there was something about that pink ribbon.
There are other colored ribbons that can be associated with my journey.
* Red for the Heart conditions, both fatal and ongoing, that have been a part of my immediate family
* Orange for Multiple Sclerosis
* Yellow for Suicide Prevention in memory of my sweet nephew
And trust me, I am always willing to walk with you, my friend, for whatever ribbon color is important to you.
So why the strong reaction to the pink ribbon? .
As I was sitting on my bed thinking about it, I glanced up and saw the tambourine my friend sent me in the mail. My husband hung it on the wall in a place I could see it while I was recovering after my surgery. It is my reminder to give thanks and praise God in ALL circumstances.
Then it hit me! I'm going to take that looped pink ribbon, SHAKE IT OUT and tie it to my tambourine. While I'm at it, I'm going to shake out that red ribbon, that I associate with so much grief and pain. I'll shake out the orange one and dance, because I will not fear what that one threatens to take away. And I will continue to shake out that yellow one, to remind those suffering from suicidal thoughts and depression - THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE FOR TOMORROW.
Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning." Psalm 30:5b
I guess its time to go to the craft store to buy ribbons!!!!
They are going to have to be thinner and much shorter than the ones in my dream. Clearly, we can all see the pending problem I could have if I try to play the tambourine with long ribbons.
Do you want to join me? We could start a tambourine band. lol 😜. (My teenagers would love that).
My friend, whatever you are facing today, please remember, the True Healer absolutely loves you, more than you can ever comprehend. He is the perfect, loving Father and a wonderful Friend. Hand Him your ribbons, whatever they may be. Let Him shake them out and help you turn them into praise.
Never Forget the Truth......
Even if you are struggling at this moment, hang on. Joy is just around the corner.
Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary;
they will walk and not be faint.
