taking time to feel renewed in spirit and mind :)

it's been a wonderful learning experience the past few weeks. and i'm still in the middle of it, and thankfully the lord has given me some perspective to see how difficult times and certain trials might have a purpose and work together for my good.

tonight i talked with a very dear friend and role model and she told me about a dream that she had growing up. she told me bc i called her and asked to hear the dream again, not remembering it well but knowing it would be helpful at this time.

the story.

she told me that in her dream there were two boxes. one was very plain and there was a sticker on it that said just for you. the box was from one person. the other box was wrapped with lots of pretty bows and ribbons and it was from the world. she went over to the other box, excited to open it, and when she did, oh it was just what she wanted. it was perfect. and she loved it. so she played with it and worked with it and then it broke. she was sad, but then there was another pretty box with shiny wrapping paper. it was also from the world, and she opened it. and wow this was even more what she wanted, and it made her so happy to have this perfect present. so she played with it too and worked with it, but then it broke as well. 

and then she noticed the plain box. she went over to it and held it and then opened it. the contents inside were exquisite. she had never seen any thing like it before. it was strong and somehow took her breath away. but she wasn't sure what to do with it. so she tried to play with it, but she never figured out what she was supposed to do. she went to the person who gave it to her and asked what the gift was and how she was supposed to work with what he had given her. he told her that once she figured out what to do with it she would understand what it was and how to use it. she didn't really understand what he meant and decided to save trying to figure it out for another day and put the gift away on a shelf. 

she then went back to the other pretty gifts. she opened each one with great joy and excitement. but over time as she continued to play with each of them they all broke. she looked around and felt frustrated. surrounding her were several boxes, wrapping paper and ribbons, and broken gifts. above the mess she saw the contents of the plain box sitting on her shelf. though it was covered in dust it was still so remarkable to her. she tried again to figure out what it was but then feeling unsuccessful she decided to return it to the person who gave it to her. she went to find him and placed the gift in his hands. 

"i can't keep this. i can't figure out how to use it." 

"please take it back. i know if i keep it i'll just end up breaking it." 

the giver accepted her offering. she had learned what to do with her gift.

there are so many beautiful lessons and principles illustrated in this dream. i'll just share a few: the contents of the plain gift (strong and exquisite) represent who we are. once we figure out what we're supposed to do with it (give it to Christ), then we understand what the gift is (our own divinity) and how to use it (this could be so many things). the shattered gifts, Christ actually helps her put them back together and then she is able to offer them to others.