A really, really fun and encouraging dream...

A dear friend dreamt of me this week and it really blessed me, it goes as follows....


In my dream, it was your wedding day.  The ceremony was taking place at my old church in Seattle - Christ Church Kirkland.  I remember entering the foyer and seeing you standing there in your gown, getting ready to make your entrance.  The gown was completely made of lace and had long sleeves (it actually reminded me of the dress my grandmother was married  in in the 50's) and you had your hair down and a veil on.  Then, you took a flask of oil and dumped it over your head!  I thought it strange at first, but then I realized you were anointing yourself in preparation for your nuptials.  You were flushed and seemed a bit nervous, but mostly excited.

Then I am sitting in the church watching you walk down the aisle.  You walk down alone, smiling the whole way.  I look at the other end and see your groom waiting for you - he is smiling as well.  (Don't remember any clear details about the groom's physical appearance other than he had dark hair and maybe a beard)  I also remember knowing that the groom's name was Steve. 

As you continued to come down the aisle, nearing the front of the sanctuary, there was a sudden change in the atmosphere.  Up until now, it had been a happy but fairly somber event.  All of a sudden, coming up behind you was the craziest wedding procession I have ever seen!  It was like a circus - trapeze artists, people juggling on unicycles, acrobats, dancers, clowns - everyone wearing brightly colored clothing and top hats (reminiscent of the Mad Hatter's tea party in Alice in Wonderland).  After exchanging vows, you were escorted out by your crazy processional in an explosion of color and movement!  I remember thinking that I'd never in my life seen a wedding quite like that.

So - as far as interpretation goes - here's what came to mind.  I feel like this whole dream is really more of a picture of your relationship with the Lord and the journey you've been on with Him over the last few years.  When you left for IHOP, it reminds me of you standing there in your wedding dress, anointing yourself with oil.  You were already consecrated to the Lord, but you were wanting to go deeper with him. I feel like the time you've dedicated to seeking the Lord at IHOP is like you anointing yourself with oil, preparing to enter the "holy of holies."  

Then came the actual wedding.  Now, as you know, my dad and brother are both named Steve so I happen to know that the name Steve means "Crowned One" - essentially, it means a Prince.  I feel that this was a dream about you becoming "married" to the Lord - entering into a whole new level of intimacy with him.  As I was praying about it, the Lord spoke to me about the how something changes in a woman when she gets married - she becomes safe and secure in the arms of her husband; confident in who she is and how deeply she is loved; intimate in a way that she has never before experienced.  Women are created to be protected and loved, so there is something about the safety of a committed married relationship that allows a woman to be completely free in who she is.  All these things, I believe, is where you are headed with the Lord in this next season of life.  

Then there was the circus entourage - so crazy!  To me, that was just a clear picture of the wildness and unpredictability of our Lord.  :)  We all have a tendency to put Jesus in a box - to take his wonderfully uncomplicated love and nature and make it super serious and full of about a bazillion rules - to "church-ify" him.  Even the fact that you started out the wedding very traditionally - modest old-school lace gown, walking down the aisle with quiet music playing softly - and then were suddenly interrupted by all the craziness!  I felt like He was saying, "I'm not as serious as you think!"  Yes, he is holy and mighty and amazing.  But he is also fun and full of color and life!   I feel like the word "unpredictable" is key - there may come a season (and soon), where He leads you in a direction you did not anticipate.  But fear not!  It will be more full of life and joy than you could ever imagine.  I think He's going to blow your mind, actually.  :)

All of this is reminiscent to me of the verse out of Isaiah 62 (which I've included below).  

ISAIAH 62:2-5

The nations will see your vindication,
    and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name 
    that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.
³ You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand,
    a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
⁴ No longer will they call you Deserted, 
    or name your land Desolate. 
But you will be called Hephzibah (My delight is in her);
    and your land Beulah (Married);
for the Lord will take delight in you,
    and your land will be married. 
⁵ As a young man marries a young woman,
    so will your Builder marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
    so will your God rejoice over you.