Oct 23, 2011
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
[For the original story, click here.]
I’m a big fan of crime and cop dramas on television; which tend to influence my subconscious at times.
One night, in 2006 or so, I had a dream that I was with a particular “cast”; they weren’t actors playing characters: it was a real-life world that I found myself in. I think it’s funny how, in dreams, you instinctively “know” and “remember” things that aren’t true.
In this particular dream, I was friends with the Team. The “him” that is referenced, is the Team Leader (I’d rather not mention the show it was based on; because that’s insignificant; and not what the attention should be paid to). It was a very short dream, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of belonging that it left me with. The more I dwelt on it throughout the day, the more it revealed that God can use anything, even a TV-based dream, to reach us.
Suddenly my dream changed from that of being in a cop drama situation, to being representative of how God cares for us, and notices things about us even when we are negligent. Of how He lightens our load, but only when we let Him.
The moral of this story/dream is how great God is, and, once we recognize it, how He shines through us as we introduce Him to others.
It’s a dream I still recall vividly, and pray I never forget.
Oct 22, 2011 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Will Power and the Haunted House
This is the true story of Will Power. Will was given to me by my mom one year. I keep Will with me at all times, always within arm’s reach. Even so, sometimes I forget about Will Power.
I used to take Will Power to work with me every day. Will would keep me company as I drove to and from errands, took care of the house, spent time with my family, and faced things I’d rather run away from.
Will Power Close & Personal
This is Will. No, not the ghost who looks a bit like Casper. Look again. See, there he is: a tiny thing, to be sure. But just like Jiminy Cricket, his little presence certainly packs a punch.
Will is my reminder that I can do anything, be anyone, take care of whatever needs taking care of… and if I can’t, I can find someone who can!
This particular day, Will Power faced a deep internal struggle. There was a very scary place that he didn’t want to go to, but knew, for his healthy future, he had to… it was that Haunted House of a place known as
The Dentist’s Office. (insert terrifying horror-movie scream, here.)
As with any terrifying upcoming event, Will Power began to shake and wonder if maybe there was a way out of it; if perhaps, going to the dentist wasn’t as necessary as he was being told. Past experiences being what they were, this wasn’t the treat he was looking for. It didn’t take long before Will’s Hallowe’en costume resembled that of an ostrich with his head buried in the sand.
“Sand is okay,” he thought. “It’s earthy. It’s beachy. I can live with sand.” Until it got in his mouth. And aggravated him. A lot.
It wasn’t long before Will Power was faced with the determination that two hours in the chair was better than three months of endless pain. So he bit the bullet… or, would have, if his teeth had let him.
Will Power and I set the appointment. He thought it was apropo that, upon entering, there were cobwebs and scaries about. Yes, it had been a while since our teeth were professionally cared for. But we fought our way in and decided to stay. At least for a while.
We were asked to come back, and while I didn’t care to, Will Power told me it was necessary, and he would not leave me alone. He went with me. He sat with me in the chair of noise, under the bright lights and creepy things. He whispered in my ear and held my hand; assuring me it would be over soon. I listened to nothing but him, saw nothing but him, and hummed a lullaby, just for him.
Until finally, the cobwebs were cleared out and we could exit the Haunted House with a feeling of conquering, of accomplishment.
Like any good Haunted House, we’ll be back next year. But at least next time around, we’ll know what to expect. And we’ll floss out the cobwebs before we get there. We may even go in the off-season, only to find there’s nothing to really be afraid of.
Oct 21, 2011 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
[For the original article, click here.]
This prose was inspired by a house in my neighborhood. It was the old house of a high school friend, and over the decades I’ve watched it go from being well cared for by his parents and family, to being taken over by strangers, to being abandoned and ultimately, completely rundown: a hazard and an eyesore to the community.
In the past few months, the property was sold, and as I drove by every few days, I took mental notes of the activity going on: The siding came off. The windows were knocked out. Everything was removed and demolished except for the frame and the worn roof. I held my breath in anticipation of soon driving by to see nothing but broken beams and collapsed shingles.
And then something beautiful began to happen. That old frame was utilized. That old roof was kept. And improvements were being made.
Now, as I drive by, the foundation has expanded. The lot has been leveled, cleared of rubble and debris. When it is finished, it is going to be a magnificent home; better than the original.
And I couldn’t stop thinking, that’s just like Life. And how God created the earth. The earth, human life, and even one person’s home all start the same: Find a good location. Lay a foundation. Build. Correct. Share. Repair. Enjoy. Invite. Celebrate. Mourn. Stay.
Enjoy your horizons… but don’t forget your roots.
