I have vivid and weird dreams. They range from being friends with Bill Cosby to Dr. Phil challenging me to a wood chopping contest. (I have NO idea.) I am more than certain that my husband gets tired of hearing my detailed stories that go on for what seems like an eternity.
But sometimes I have important dreams.
Years ago, I had one of the best, yet most soul-shaking and terrifying dreams of my life. Brother was small and Bot wasn’t yet born, but if I close my eyes, I can feel every feeling that I felt then.
The sky was dark and there was a faint glow of colorful lights, similar to memories I have of night time at a county fair. There was a big crowd around and I could see quite a few people with red balloons tied to their wrists. I had one on mine and Brother had one on his. My husband wasn’t there, but I am going to assume he had one too. We were happy and walking together while Brother chatted excitedly about his balloon.
All of a sudden I experienced the loudest noise I had ever heard. Involuntarily, my knees were pulled hard to the ground. The almost magnetic force of that was so real and so strong that I can still feel that part.
As soon as it began, my heart swelled with excitement and joy as I realized that this was the moment I had been waiting for! The noise, the kneel, the peace and joy! It could only mean one thing! Jesus was coming back! I was so ready and there are really no words to describe the emotion that I felt!
Instantly I knew that those people with balloons on their wrists were the ones that were going to Heaven. I looked at my wrist and admired my balloon that I knew I did not deserve but I was so grateful to have! I looked around and the faces surrounding me that were previously faded began to show clearly as the images of loved ones and friends that had balloons as well. Then I looked to my right. Brother, who had previously been overjoyed with excitement about his balloon, now stood facing me with tears in his eyes. There was no balloon on his wrist.
He was crying the way any kid does when they lose a balloon, but I knew the gravity of this loss. To say I was devastated is an understatement. I knew he had it tied tightly to begin with and I couldn’t figure out how or when it had come undone.
I quickly untied my balloon and tied it on his wrist. I felt at peace. I woke up.
When God blessed me with Brother, I promised Him that I would love, protect and teach him. I promised that I would do everything within my power to get him ready to return to his Father. Yet, in this dream that can parallel life, I had forgotten to pay close attention. The last time I checked, he had that balloon on his wrist; but I didn’t keep checking.
I choose for my life not to mimic this dream. I gave Brother my balloon in the dream, but I can’t forfeit my salvation to save him. Life happens fast. There are many opportunities to become distracted, but we are given many more opportunities to teach. In Deuteronomy 6:7, Moses lists these when he refers to when we are to teach the Word of the Lord to our children.
“and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
If you have a role in the life of a child, you must help them begin to tie on their balloon. It is never too early to teach them that God is REAL. As they grow up and become accountable to God, keep checking that it is tightly tied. It will be the greatest contribution that you can make to their earthly existence as well as their eternal one. Remind them that knowledge of His Word along with faith and obedience tie us to him. Encourage them to never let Him go.
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Wow! This is so poignant!!