Heavenly Visits

For the second night in a row, I’ve awoken from deep sleep having had a variation of the same dream.  These were such lifelike conversations with my Grandpa Thompson that had they not been completely reassuring and warm and full of play, I’d say it was spooky!  Grandpa went home to be with the Lord almost a year ago.

I was not able to tell him goodbye and it wounded me so deeply that it has been like a gaping hole in my heart month upon month.  It has hurt so much it is almost a physical ache.

I feel like these dreams came from God, Himself; because I don’t think time heals all wounds, but I believe that God does.

HAHA – last night I dreamt that Grandpa was in a hospital bed, but he was jovial and funny; alive and inviting.  I sat near him and read aloud my Little House on the Prairie book.  I pause now to remember and can almost feel the soft, white peach fuzz of his haircut I loved to touch.  Or how he would hold us girls, screaming and laughing, while he tickled our necks with the stubble on his chin.  Last night, I brought him a bucket of toys or tools or something – I can’t remember.  He smiled and said, “What would I do without my girl?”, owning me as his.  It was a beautiful dream and I was loathe to leave it.

Tonight, I was little, again, and I saw my own tiny fingers play piano for him.  Then we played checkers with the old board in the back room and the red and black pieces that we kept in a jar.  As I type, it seems so insignificant here on the page.  But to my aching heart, it has been heavenly salve.

God doesn’t abandon us.  Even in our sleep, he is our heavenly Father and holds us, heals us, wipes every tear from our eyes.  Thank you, Lord Jesus... goodnight.

~~~~~

Pondering points

Zephaniah 3:17  “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.  He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Rev. 21:3-4  “I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: ‘God’s dwelling place is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be His own. Yes, God will make His home among his people.  He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death or suffering or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’”

Psalm 10:17  “O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart; You will incline Your ear.”

Psalm 27:7-10, “Lord, listen to my voice when I cry out— have mercy on me and answer me!  Come, my heart says, seek God’s face.  Lord, I do seek your face!  Please don’t hide it from me!     Don’t turn me away because you are angry.  You have been my help!  God my Savior, don’t say no to me.  Don’t desert me.  Don’t leave me all alone!  My father and mother deserted me, but the Lord took me in and comforted me.”

Isaiah 49:14-15  “Can a woman forget her nursing child?  Will she have no compassion on the child from her womb?  Although mothers may forget, I will not forget you.  See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”