I had a vivid dream this morning that I remembered well when I awoke. I also believe dreams can have significance.
In my dream I saw my friend, Aurelio DeLaRosa. Aurelio was blown up by a grenade in Panama. After getting out of the US Army, he got into law enforcement and has helped countless individuals. As a veteran of war, he understands more than most the difficulties veterans can have. In my dream, he gave me a great, big, comforting hug.
I miss seeing my friend.
I asked Aurelio to share his story in my anthology (a collection of many writings from multiple veterans), Warrior SOS: Interviews, Insights & Inspiration (available on Amazon). You've got to read Aurelio's words. What an amazing story!
In addition to seeing my friend in my dream, I also played a song on the piano. I heard the words of Michael McLean's "Hold on, the light will come" over and over and over again. In my dream, I also played the music on the piano. I don't play the piano. In fact, I can hardly spell it. I haven't played for many years, but when I was 17 years old, I could play that song. It's interesting how that song made it's way back into my dreams this many years later.
As I think about the worries and the struggles and the trials each of us are called upon to endure, I can't help but to consider the twin blessings of hope and endurance. Those who give up hope relinquish something marvelous that can help them carry on. Sometimes we just need to keep going and have hope that "joy cometh in the morning."
Here are some lyrics to “Hold On”:
...If your world is filled with darkness, doubt and fear,
Just hold on, hold on, the light will come...
If you feel trapped inside a never-ending night
If you’ve forgotten how it feels to feel the light
If you’re half crazy thinking you’re the only one.
I recently read a great article titled “Trials, Tribulations, and Trust in the Lord” by Elder Bradley D. Foster. I highly recommend it.
He quoted a leader of another Christian faith, Dr. Ray Pritchard, who wrote, “Sometimes we will face things for which there is no earthly explanation. In those moments we need to erect a sign that reads, ‘Quiet: God at Work.’ Meanwhile, hold on, child of God. Keep believing. Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Let God do His work in you. The greatest tragedy is to miss what God wants to teach us through our troubles.” (in his book, Why Did This Happen to Me?)
I don’t know why I had the dream I did. Perhaps I needed to learn that lesson -- the lesson of holding on. Perhaps my daughter needed to hear that message. (I shared my dream with her this evening.) Or still, perhaps someone reading this needed to hear it.
Life can be trying at times ... but hold on, the light will come.
