Dreams

A fellow adoptive mom blogs expressively about what she calls orphanage dust. In reading her words about her son, I often feel a vague sense of recognition--even though I've never met her family. You see, I, too, have a boy who spent his early years in an orphanage in Eastern Europe...and certain characteristics in him reflect the survival mode thinking about which she writes.

One year ago, I would say that the orphanage dust was thick in our house. Everything in Ethan's life had changed: home, school, language, siblings, friends, parents' schedules, etc. It was tough.

Over time, things cleared.

But, the thing with orphanage dust, is that it can stir up again at any time.

And there had been just a bit of it around again as the new year started.

This morning, after Andrew's breakfast-time telling of his dream-land adventures (which apparently involved flying his own plane full of supplies for those in need around the world and preaching to all kinds of people and animals), Ethan quietly offered this: "I dreamed that an angel slept beside me."

And I stopped and thanked God.

Because I do believe in angels, sent by God to do his business. And last night was the first night in two weeks that Ethan slept through the night without crying out or sleep-walking. And I am reminded how my Lord cares for my son.

The person who rests in the shadow of the Most High God
will be kept safe by the Mighty One.
I will say about the Lord, "He is my place of safety.
He is like a fort to me. He is my God. I trust in him."
He will certainly save you from hidden traps and from deadly sickness.
He will cover you with his wings. Under the feathers of his wings you will find safety.
He is faithful. He will keep you safe like a shield or a tower.
You won't have to be afraid of the terrors that come during the night.
You won't have to fear the arrows that come at you during the day.
You won't have to be afraid of the sickness that attacks in the darkness.
The Lord will command his angels to take good care of you.
The Lord says, "I will save the one who loves me.
I will keep him safe, because he trusts in me.
He will call out to me, and I will answer him.
--Psalm 91:1-6, 11, 14



On a completely different note, I think a couple Dads had a dream-come-true kind of night, tonight. Mike, his dad (whose childhood home we now fill), and all four kiddos hit the ice for some serious hockey action this evening. I'm really not sure who had the most fun!