Sharinghula

My recurring nightmares often involve houses, usually temporary lodging in foreign countries and strange landscapes. Almost always I am lost, alone, and late—for a taxi, a bus, or an airplane. Attempting to leave some place where I’m staying, I’m mired down in packing too much stuff into too few suitcases. Having traveled a lot and moved many times, I am tempted to see these bad dreams as my soul wrestling with its baggage. Or perhaps I fear deep down that I’m going to be too late to show up for my own life. Working with these themes, my dream-group friends challenged me to actually change the dreams. They said no one should have to lug around that much stuff1 Starting with my closets, I’ve begun to lighten the load in a concrete way. I cast off whatever has had its day. Surprisingly, the dreams have begun to dissipate.
All but one, that is—a daydream. A recurring daydream of mine is to build on to my house a prayer turret that rises above the rooffine. Through a circle of windows, I want to look upon treetops toward the mountains while spending time with God. Looking deeper, I’ve wondered, What might I learn from this dream?
Research informs me that commonly a castle or turret image indicates a longing for security. It may signify that the strength of my own defenses is isolating me from others. Both these ideas fit, and I’m looking to change. Worn excuses—I don’t have enough money, education, or the right kind of personality to accomplish my dreams—are no longer viable. I reach out to other people and stand on the promises of El Shaddai, the Provider. This dream is a big improvement over one I had years ago of hiding under my desk to get away from a houseflil of noisy, demanding teenagers.
I’m climbing higher and expecting more. The shining shoes are taking me somewhere I’ve never dreamed of going.
What about your dream home?
You are creating it from the stuff you own about yourself— what you allow to surface in your consciousness. Dream homes are built from the brick of what you accept, tolerate, and concede to. They are built of the stuff you celebrate and the stuff you fear. They are built of what you honor and of all the reasons you party! Each of us is summoned to build and inhabit our dream home, God’s design for, and calling upon, our lives.
“In My Father’s house are many mansions,” Jesus said.7
Why wouldn’t he involve us in the joy of helping to build them, starting right here on earth? Brick by brick we shape God’s flamboyant vision of the kingdom. We spread the mortar stone upon precious stone—jasper, sapphire, emerald, topaz, amethyst—studded with pearls.8 Now that is a dream house!