I love my boots. They are over 30 years old, have seen alot of my life and oh the stories they could tell. They should be tired by now and ready to quit but they aren't. If I live to be 90 I believe they will carry me through to the end.
I dream. Alot.
I mean I have vivid dreams - almost every single night. Sometimes I actually dread going to sleep because I never know what I will experience in my dreams, but sometimes.... God teaches me powerful lessons in my dream. These are special and I call them my "God dreams".
I remember every detail of these dreams - every feeling, every smell, every emotion, every sensation - and I ask God to teach me the lesson they hold.
A few years back I had one of those dreams. I had been going through a rough time and was distraught at what I was supposed to do. I was at a complete loss at the decision that I had to make about my marriage and did not think I could go on. I was exhausted, didn't know where to turn and it was during this time that God gave me one of those dreams:
I dreamed I was sitting alone on a dirty floor and Jesus walked into the room and sat down on the floor beside me. In His hand was a brand new pair of leather sandals. I remember the smell of the leather and I remember the shine of the shoe. They were beautiful. Jesus was gentle and loving and didn't say a word. I didn't ask questions and never spoke a word but I do remember being embarrassed because my shoes were so worn out and dirty. The bottom had holes in them from the walking and they looked as if they were falling apart. I had worn them out. But Jesus? He didn’t seem to mind at all. He just smiled and lovingly bent down, took my feet in His hands and took off my shoes. He then replaced my dirty, worn shoes that didn't look as if they would last much longer- with the new sandals He had brought just for me. They fit perfectly. Then Jesus quietly got up from the floor and walked away.
I'll never forget the feeling.
The books of Exodus and Deuteronomy also teach us a lesson with sandals. Remember Exodus chapter 12, when the Israelites escaped from Egypt and ran from Pharaoh and his army? The Israelites had to run out of Egypt grabbing only what they could grab on their way out the door. As they left, Moses instructed them to ask the Egyptians for supplies and the Lord softened the hearts of the Egyptians towards them so they gave them what they could as the Israelites quickly escaped. But the Israelites didn't realize what was ahead of them - they didn't know the length and the requirements of the journey they were about to take. They had no way of preparing for the trial they were about to face in the desert.
But God did.
In Deuteronomy 29:5, the Israelites were in Moab and God had Moses gather the people together and lay out the renewed terms of His covenant with them. When Moses began speak, he had to set the stage by reminding the Israelites of the things God had done for them. Verse 5 says: Remember "during the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.” In other words....remember what God did for you? Even though you have had to spend a lengthy time in the wilderness enduring a season of trials -- you always had what you needed to get through it and God had the power to see you through to the end.
God had the power and the forethought to supernaturally provide the staying power of the Israelites.
I believe in my dream, God was showing me that He was going to send me on a new journey and through that journey He would give me what I needed to sustain me to the end. In other words....
My strength will never wear out.
My supply will never wear out.
My emotional fortitude will never wear out.
My joy will never wear out.
My peace will never wear out.
My protection will never wear out.
In Him, I will have what I need.
In my dream, Jesus was preparing me ahead of time for the journey that I was about to take. He knew that I was already on the floor exhausted and worn out from the things I had endured so He came to me. He knew that I couldn't make it much longer in my own supply so He brought me what I needed. And His supply? It was sturdy and would never wear out. His supply? Was beautiful to not only protect but to bring me joy in the walk. It reminds me of the character of God.... if my Father had to watch me, one of His children, walk through a tough time then He would make sure that I was prepared before hand and that I had an ample amount of what I needed to get through the trial I was facing.
That's just what Daddys do.
So....If your tough time begins tomorrow? He is preparing you today.
If you are in a tough time now? Then He has given you an ample supply of what you need to make it through to the end.
My prayer today:
Father God, I’m a living testament to your power to sustain. Psalm 37:25 tells us that His children will never be forsaken or begging for bread. Forsaken means to abandon or leave behind and even though You never promised that we wouldn’t have to go through tough times - You did promise that You will sustain to the end. And in the end? We will not be war-wearied and beat up – we will be filled with more strength, courage and wisdom than ever before. Those sturdy new shoes will give us what we need. All because of your promises. All because You are faithful and All because you are an attentive loving Daddy.
I just adore You. Amen
