The Dove's Eye

The night was black in the little town where I grew up.  People flocked to the local store, now locked tight, windows barred dark.  With nowhere to buy food, the panic-stricken wandered about the streets chaotic, unsure of where to go or what to do.  I felt trapped in the surge, claustrophobic, unable to move.

Towering above the crush of dazed and fearful faces I caught sight of my husband.  He was escaping the crowd, leaving me behind.  A sense of abandonment fell heavy, freezing my tears with the cold.  I tried desperately to get to him--shouted his name.  But he couldn't see or hear me for the tumult.

Devastated, I broke free of the rush and found a quiet place to rest leaning against the white-washed wall of the old Post Office.  I watched and waited, hoping to catch another glimpse, hoping he would remember and come back.

He did, just when I was about to give up.  But again, he appeared not to see or hear me, and instead, got into a shiny red truck and sped off up the hill toward main street.  I followed behind on foot, somehow keeping up.

As I walked with eyes glued to his back, his head and shoulders shining through the rear window, a song rose from within, gentle at first, but then in power and strength.  It was as if all of heaven was singing in the heart of me.  Joyful words flooded my senses until I could no longer hold them. 

The song escaped my lips with exuberance, propelling me forward, lifting me up and out of the fog.  The more I sang, the taller and stronger and bolder I grew.  The words were alive!

There is great, great, Great
Victory in the dove's eye.
There is great, great, Great
Victory in the Lord.

There is great, great Grace.
There is victory in the dove's eye.
There is great, great Grace.
There is victory in the Lord.

Oddly, the sides of my husband's red truck expanded to the left and right, taking up full the width of the road.   Neighbors began to come out of their houses and cheer us on.  I felt exhilarated, as if we were heroes being celebrated in a parade.  And I realized there were people following.

Suddenly, my eyes were opened to things I hadn't seen.  I noticed hard-rock wall on either side of me.  My husband was cutting a way through the mountain that had loomed ahead all those years.  The relentless opposition and oppression, the hopelessness and depression--all of it was leaving as he plowed.  And the sky burned brighter by the second. 

I continued to sing with heavenly voices, rejoicing in his accomplishment.  And I realized I was entering into a place in the Spirit that I had been longing for all my life.  Not only did I have dove's (single) eyes for my husband, I was in The Dove's eye.  It was a feeling I can't put into words. I knew I was born to live in this place of divine favor and victory.

When I woke, I could hardly speak, I was so alive with joy and power.  Then everything began to fade.  When I tried to sing the words of the song I was disappointed because they were no longer the same as in the dream. 

What I didn't realize is that somewhere deep a vein of faith--that of the Lord's-- had been imparted in my spirit.  I would need this for the days ahead.  In dreams, my husband is often symbolic of Jesus.  In this dream Jesus had come to show me He was making a way where there had seemed to be no way--not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit. 

As I look back over 2010 it is clear that I needed joy and strength like never before.  It was a hard year!  A year of pruning, of losing my job and so much more.  (I wrote about it here.)  There were many times I wanted to give up.  But God! 

He poured grace in dreams, and gave strategies and strength for the days when I didn't want to go on.  He showed me how I simply needed to be like the dove--to fix my gaze and wait on Him, put my trust in Him and watch His victory come as I sang heaven's song.

I am still singing His song, and giving thanks to Him for bringing me through.

You did it: you changed wild lament into whirling dance; You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers.  I'm about to burst with song; I can't keep quiet about you.  God, my God,  I can't thank you enough.            ~ Psalm 30:11-12, The Message

Please, don't discount your dreams.  They are your own symbolic language for interpreting what can't always be seen or heard or understood with your natural senses.  Pray and ask Holy Spirit to guide you.  I have been journaling and praying over mine for years.  It is amazing what you can learn from dreams!

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. ~ Acts 2:17, NIV

On this day of grace I thank Jesus for...

176.  His victory
177.  His love
178.  His favor
179.  His power
180.  His joy


I am a little late, but I am joining Ann Voskamp and the community of gratitude-givers in appreciating God's graces.  Click on the button below to read other grace lists....

I am also posting @ Peter Pollock's One Word Blog Carnival where today's word is reflection,  and linking up with Jen from Finding Heaven for Soli Deo Gloria. Come join us!

 Click to read more about my Journey of Gratitude.

Photo Courtesy:  flickr - Dawn Huczek