BARREN PLACES
Ever feel like you’re walking in circles in a dry land? Like the thing you want most consistently eludes you? Or like you’re wandering from one wilderness to another?
Before a season like that arrived in my life, recurring dreams had prophesied a death of some sort. I knew it wasn’t a literal physical death. I knew it had to be. It would be part of my story… and for reasons.
It crept up on me until I realized the prophecy had been fulfilled. I felt the loss‒ responding by fighting daily for life to return. I had no idea that this season would be so long or take me so many places. But I learned a ton. The season brought with it soul-searching and insight… and prophetic dreams every step of the way, to assist me in the darkness.
Looking back, I see that I was buried as well… not only by infirmities, but by distractions, the tyranny of the urgent, responsibilities I had taken on, and buried by naysayers.
RESURRECTION
For me, a bright future had so often been prophesied through the years… primarily through my own dreams, the amazing dreams of others, and confirming prophetic words. So I held on and stayed diligent, though time seemed to have gotten away from me.
We, as children of God, are intended to have bright futures. Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Your resurrection will come as surely as mine did. The heavens WILL open again for you…that is if you’ve positioned yourself to be standing under the fountain, so to speak‒ If you’ve done what you can to ensure there are no obstructions between you and heaven’s blessings.
Resurrection may come when you don’t expect it, or when you think you don’t deserve it. It may unfold slowly drip by drip; or come like a great wave that overtakes you… or both.
The blessings may be mixed with everyday issues that come up. But know that there IS a fountain, and that God is just as capable and willing to pour out his blessings on you as on anyone else!
The Lord brings comfort through the prophet Isaiah speaking to God’s people, “I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” Isaiah 41:18
COUNTING THE BLESSINGS
When the blessings begin flowing, they can be so plentiful that you may find it challenging to write them all down. And they may be so diverse that you miss noticing some by failing to see the “little things” as gifts from God.
I thought it would be helpful to categorize some types of blessings I’ve seen in my resurrection season.
1. MONUMENTAL BREAKTHROUGHS
This type is most assuredly the first type you think of when it comes to types of blessings‒ because these victories involve a great deal of something… a great deal of struggle, a great deal of funds, a great deal of energy, a great deal of waiting.
These blessings generally have in common that a great amount TIME is involved.
They most often significantly affect the future‒ finding the right spouse, restoring an estrangement, deliverance from a dysfunctional relationship, inner and spiritual healing from trauma or loss…
These blessings can be DIRECT (there’s no worldly explanation), or INDIRECT (someone or something serves to accomplish them).
I experienced several of these blessings when the fountain of grace started raining down on me… things I had been waiting for or struggled with for months or years.
One case involved a 10-month battle with an international corporation that connected me to a fraudulent website “expert.” After losing two similar battles the previous couple of years, I received a several a thousand-dollar refund… everything we requested and more!
Another was finally finding an optimum partner to host, secure and manage our websites. These were monumental victories!
2. RESCUE FROM RUIN
Just when the breakthroughs start coming and you think you’re out of the woods, though, you may experience a massive impasse… a loss, something damaged or apparently ruined.
That happened to me when I lost 300,000 documents accumulated over many years on my external drive due to corruption and failure.
It wasn’t a coincidence that shortly before, my husband had discovered an excellent computer repair shop. The owner referred us to a reliable but expensive data restoration company. Meanwhile, he set up my computer for permanent success.
It took weeks longer than the initial promise. I didn’t waver, as God had immediately whispered in my ear that this was just a test of faith. On the exact day that was later given to me in a dream‒ the day after our anniversary‒ nearly 100% of the data I lost was recovered! And at just two-thirds the estimated cost!
3. RUBY REVELATIONS
Then there are supernatural revelations or epiphanies that usher in blessings and victories.
A RUBY REVELATION directs us to a resolution of a problem by showing us something we had all along!
I coined the term RUBY REVELATION after the scene near the end of The Wizard of Oz, where Dorothy’s problem (returning home) is solved when she gets the epiphany by way of the Wizard that her shoes‒ that she’d had all along‒ possessed the power to take her home instantaneously.
The revelation itself can leave us awe-struck, because sometimes it takes the Creator of the Universe to show us what we already have!! Can I get an amen here?
Did you know, BTW, that the precious stone RUBY universally symbolizes HEALING and RESTORATION? That’s what these revelations do‒ they HEAL PROBLEMS, bringing the restoration we’re seeking.
Primarily because of their color, rubies can also symbolize Jesus, due to His shedding of blood for our atonement.
I had several of this type of blessing… ideas downloaded from heaven which provided either the answer to an annoying problem that week, or a huge one I’d struggled with for years. I couldn’t stop saying “Wow!”
4. A BUSHEL AND A PECK
A BUSHEL, BTW, is equal to 32 quarts, while a PECK is equal to 8 quarts (a quarter of a bushel). I gave this category of blessings the name a BUSHEL AND A PECK for a couple of reasons.
1) It speaks of a lot of love… and that’s what God the Father has for us.
2) It’s personal. My mother, who enjoyed Doris Day films and Guys & Dolls, always said she loved us “a bushel and a peck”.
3) Most importantly, it speaks of a little kiss on the cheek.
These small blessings may seem insignificant… you know, like your average, ordinary, run-of-the-mill- miracle‒ except THERE ARE NO ORDINARY MIRACLES!
You KNOW they were sent from heaven, and so you’re reminded you’re loved! A beautiful thing!
RIVERS IN HIGH PLACES
If you’re in a slump, feeling abandoned by God, or experiencing the barrenness of the desert… look to God. Trust him. There IS a fountain. He controls the rivers in high places.
Lamentations 3:26- It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Please bless others by sharing you more resurrection-blessing categories and experiences by way of COMMENT!
Remember: Each of us receives our own dreams, and each of us knows our own state of affairs. Dreamers are intended to make the best interpreters of their own dreams as they grow in understanding of the parabolic language of dreams.
I’m not you, but that’s my view! Every Blessing!
Comments welcome!
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