One of my assignments for my “Teaching Creative Writing” course was to design and teach a hypothetical class on Zoom to my classmates and whoever else wanted to join from our department. As soon as the announcement for this assignment was made, I felt the stress in the pit of my stomach and it only grew as the days drew closer and closer. I had managed to decide on the topic, but beyond that, my mind was too paralyzed to brainstorm.
One night, as the images of speaking in front of all these strangers were keeping me up, my husband, Daniel, suggested that we pray about it and ask God to help me. We did so, and I fell asleep. That night, I dreamt that I was teaching the class. I remember it in such vivid detail; all the slides I used, the examples, the overall outline. When I finished the class, it turned out that it had been part of the “practice round” (which didn’t exist in real life). I received feedback from my instructor (still in my dream) and incorporated it into my lesson. Then, I taught the class again.
When I woke up, my first reaction was disappointment that I hadn’t actually taught the class yet. But as my brain began to wake up from the fog, I became more and more confused by what had happened. Had God really just answered my prayer through this dream, and in such a mind-boggling way? And it wasn’t even one of those dreams that makes total sense in your sleep but proves completely bizarre when you wake up; the lesson I had taught was actually quite good!
I managed to stay awake long enough to tell Daniel about my dream as he was getting ready for work. He paused for a moment, then went on a scavenger hunt for some unused notebook in our apartment. Then, putting it on my bedside table, he asked me to write this story down when I get up. “From now on, we’re going to have a testimony book. But we should probably get a bigger one!” Of course, my first priority was making the slides before their content slipped from my memory. What’s more, because I’d already taught that class twice, I no longer felt afraid or paralyzed and actually enjoyed the process of preparing.
I knew that I also needed to share this story with my classmates. The thought filled me with fear (I have no idea why sharing about our Good Father scares us so much, when it’s the best thing we can do for others), so I asked some people close to me to pray for boldness. And that prayer was answered too! Even though a small part of my human nervousness remained, the feelings that overtook were an excitement to be a “fool for Christ” and this growing conviction that it really doesn’t matter what people will think about me.
Maybe I will never know what impact sharing this story had or did not have in their lives. All I can hope, as I do for you, is that it was one tiny seed, one growing thought, one beautiful illustration of how real and caring our Papa God is, and that there is no burden too big or too small for Him to take. And even though I don’t expect Him to answer every prayer through a dream, I am convinced now more than ever that He will answer.
If you enjoyed this, you might also be interested in reading How God Helped Me Find the Key.
❤️
Thank you Christina.. Enjoyed reading your blog. Your beautifully written blog is a ray of light. In my experience, during our sleep, our dreams manifest things that are bothering us, in our awake life.. In our dreams the walls that we put up in our daily lives to protect ourselves, come down and our subconscious takes over and opens the path to resolving our issues through our deep belief in God. A sort of communication path develops between us and our higher selves, i.e our Creator. It is our belief and hope that we can solve our issues, if only, we bring it to God. Without HOPE that something better exists ,Humanity is doomed..Sadly. Looking forward to your next blog.. Good luck in your studies. Thanks.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts, dear Sonia 🤗
Dearest Christina, beautifully written and expressed blog as always and so inspiring! I believe it will be a light for those who read and also who participated in your class! Seeds always give fruit, some sooner and some later))) Keep up the good work!!!
Thank you soooo much 💕
I dont know if this belongs here.
I was a graduate student at UC Davis. 1985…
I realized that I was short on money… my relationship with God has always been secular…. none of that O God Almighty…. just Dear God. I also have experienced God teasing me at times.
So I said (prayed?)
Dear God send me money… very politically incorrect prayer.
Tnen I came down to Alvarado Street Davis, CA and was about to enter Lucky’s facing my apartment… and there it was… a wallet bulging with paper money… in my confusion, I surrendered the wallet to the manager…
This went on for 6 months. Ill be walking with my friends… they will not see it but I will… $5, $10 and $20 bills on the ground… Ill pick them up… in 2 months I amassed $600 … how did it stop?
By this time I was familiar with God’s sense of humor… so I prayred the sinner’s prayer.. I said
God I was just joking… it’s enough!
The almost daily occurence of finding money stopped! I wonder if I should pray again!
This is a true story. I have nothing to gain by lying….
Zareh Darakjian, Ph.D.
I’m so glad you shared this story of God’s humour and care–it really is so amazing and has inspired many, I’m sure!
Dear lovely Christina❣️I am so privileged to count myself your friend. You are such an encouragement, and so gifted in expressing yourself. You amaze me with your profound love for Jesus, and allowing yourself to be vulnerable in your obedience to the Lord. So much fruit will come from your pusuing Him rather than pursuing mainly what He can do for you. I pray abundant blessings on this great team; Christina and Daniel💕 Live from your neighbour to the west🇳🇴
Should be love from, not live from…
Wow, Kirsten, thank you so much for your sweet, encouraging words 💕 And you know what an inspiration you and your relationship with God are for me. It feels impossible that we haven’t physically met yet!
♥️♥️
Dear christina,
I am truly joyful to read your blog,i love the way you show loving and communicating with God so smooth and easy, it is something we all need to remember that God is always by our side.
I am amazed of such an awesome way God has responded to your prayers.as others have mentioned in their comments,it is a ray of light.
You always remind me of sunshine and it is great that you share it with us,thank you!
Reading your blog made me think of something i had thought about it some time ago and had totally forgotten,i was thinking to write letters to me about Gods amazing work in my life and the life of others and every time i feel down or need help to open a letter and read it.there fore i wanted to say thank you to you for reminding me and also thanks to you i also have a notebook that i write to God and write about his blessings and miracles in it.
this notebook has been sitting on a shelf next to my bed for months now ,i had a feeling it was meant for something very special bit just couldn’t figure put what it was and after reading your blog,it clicked in my mind and
This notebook is now called the book of miracles.
❤️
Wow, Shiva, your comment made me so happy! I honestly mean it that you yourself are a ray of light ❤️ And your book of miracles sounds like a wonderful idea and I’m so happy the blog post inspired you to start it!