Quick interruption on the Priority content, for (drumroll…) I got my first letter from James and had my first dream of him since he’s been gone – woohoo!!

The letter was scribbled on an index card. He says ‘summer camp’ is “…stressful but a lot of fun. The food is good…” He asked me to get the address of a fellow recruit because she doesn’t have family to write to her. He’d like me to write to her and encourage her and to send him her address (she’s in a different platoon and they don’t see each other) so he can write to her too. My heart heaves a deep, deeeeep sigh of joy as I deeply inhale this little note and hold it close to my chest. It’s worth a million dollars. I’m so happy.

The dream was equally precious albeit very brief – about five seconds. A group of us was at a diner that was about to close. We’d just finished eating when James walked in wearing a burgundy polo shirt and a distinct large, red lanyard. The cook hollered, “We’re almost closed, you’re going to have to eat fast.” James chuckled his quiet chuckle and responded, “Is that a dare?” We all laughed knowingly. James eats like a shop-vac. It’s alarmingly astounding to watch him put food away.

I believe that your dreams are God’s forgotten gift and love interpreting them. It was fun and easy to interpret the one I had. The polo shirt symbolizes casual authority, competence, excellence, satisfactory service to those around, dependability, being knowledgeable, being in absolute control, and making things easier for others. Burgundy represents bold confidence and intensity. It is closely related to red which signifies passion, extremes, and danger. The lanyard stands for belonging in a team; a marked identity in the midst of many; an official time-limited activity at a specific place for a specific purpose. Its markedly large size signifies that this individual stands out.

PS: I received two letters from his Commanding Officer and his Senior Drill Sergeant. They ask me to rest assured that my son is in well trained and capable hands of “extreme professionals.” Oohrah!

CTA

1. What stands out to you in this post that would help YOU ignite your inner James?
2. Are you a letter writer? Do you know you can change someone’s day and maybe life by writing them a letter? Who does the Lord bring to mind now that would be over the moon with a simple letter or card in the mail from you? A handwritten missive is a tremendous gift to its recipient. Please let me know if you’d like to join my small army of folks who are writing to encourage a service-member or trainee who may not otherwise get correspondence.
3. Are you a dreamer? Do you take your dreams seriously? Do you follow up on their meanings? May I invite you to share them. I’d love to hear them and possibly interpret them here or in private if you like.
4. 3.2.1: Share this post with 3 people. Write 2 hand-written letters or cards. (Don’t forget to consider an elderly person or a kid.) Leave 1 comment below.