This week, I was talking with my best friend about a dream I’d had. I’m not a big dreamer while I sleep, at least what I can remember. I do all my dreaming during the day.
Unfortunately, the dream was unpleasant and made me feel pretty anxious afterward. During this conversation with my friend, I shared what happened. To my surprise, she stopped me, just as stunned by the fact that she, too, had a very similar dream the same exact night. Weird, right?
We both reflected on how the dream was lingering into the days that followed and how little we liked the tone that it left behind. “Dreams are weird.”
Our call ended with more hope than it started with, thankfully. The good news we both landed on was our children. We both bubbled over with joy that we get to be mothers of wonderful, playful, and loving children. Sure, they drive us crazy, but don’t you think that children are a gift from God?
I’ve always said that children are the closest to the source. They see things we don’t, and feel things we’ve forgotten how to feel as adults. The world takes a toll on us as we dwell earth side. Unfortunately, it seems to be taking a heavy toll on our youngsters these days.
I’d call you crazy if you don’t enjoy a child’s deep belly laugh or sparring with one’s curiosity when they ask you “why”. The imaginations of these precious beings are actual sparks that light up the world. Even if you don’t have children of your own, I challenge you to invest in the youth around you. There is something we can always learn in the presence of children, and I’m not only talking about patience.
The days that followed the dream were better because of the attention I turned towards my daughter. I made an intentional effort to be more present with her this week, and it paid off.
Plot twist: my daughter and I have been discussing starting a podcast for a while now. It just so happens that this week, we received our gear to begin. So, of course, as you do with any new toy, we had to give er’ a go!
The jury is still out on whether the “first episode” will be the actual first episode, though something significant happened during our first recording.
My favorite part of the conversation was when we brought up the one serious moment that we will permit during each episode. We talked candidly about our morning and how it started out challenging.
I woke her up late, we rushed to get out of the door and had breakfast in the car.
It wasn’t ideal for either of us, so we shared how we tried to recover.
Prayer was brought up, and I attempted to cool both our jets by saying one before she got out of the car. She responded with, “I wasn’t feeling it at first. And that’s okay if you don’t feel like praying sometimes. But then I closed my eyes and went along with it and by the end of it I was in it. I said amen and felt better already.”
She then turned to me and asked, “Mom, do you know what amen means?” Kind of stunned by the question, I realized I didn’t remember if I knew what amen meant or not.
She continued by informing me what she’d learned about it and said, “Amen means, I believe.”
Amen means, I believe.
It took me a few moments to fully process what she had revealed. I’d been praying all week about the dream, saying “amen” at the end of my prayers, with a limited belief that this darkness I’d been sensing was going anywhere.
My daughter’s fun fact grew my faith in the God who conquers all. Her reminder sparked a deeper trust in the God who can overcome all darkness or doom that finds its way to appear.
In my most recent case, it was a dream. For you, it may be a sickness, a loss, a strained friendship, or a lonely heart; try to name it. Darkness is consuming and present whether we like it or not. This begs the question, what do you do when darkness is present?
When you say “amen,” do you believe God has the power to help, heal, or save you from it?
This week’s Holy Moment is brought to you by a 9-year-old who reminded me of my beliefs. Clearly, it’s easier said than done.
I challenge you to look for the light where it is present. Try looking for it in your children, how you pray, and in the holy moments you are given.
Jesus, I ask that you cover these readers in light this week. It’s in your name, I pray. Amen.
Local Pulse Staff Writer & Holy Moments Columnist Makenna Curtis
