My niece Lily is a beautiful and bright four-year-old. She has a very tender heart and loves her family dearly. She is a child who is filled with kindness and compassion. It breaks her heart to think she has hurt someone’s feelings or hasn’t listened well to her parents. One of Lily’s favorite things to do is to go to church because she loves Jesus. From the time she could stand on her own when the music started playing you could see her in the aisle singing and dancing. She loves to sing about Jesus, learn about the magnificent things Jesus has done and talk about her Jesus.
Over the past year, Lily has started asking questions about the very difficult subject of why people have to die. It started with her learning about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. The next conversation came in response to her losing her beloved great-grandfather, Grandpa Cookie. Grandpa Cookie got his name because whenever Lily went to see him, he always had a cookie for her. It was a precious bonding time between the two of them.
Her questions and concerns about death continued as she didn’t want her mommy and daddy, her baby brother Brockton, or Mimi and Pop-Pop to die. They went on to explain to Lily that Jesus died on the cross so we all could live with Jesus forever in heaven. Death is a hard concept at any age, but for a four-year-old even harder.
We know no matter our age, God wants to help each of us to understand the difficult things in life. Share on XWe know that no matter our age, God wants to help each of understand the difficult things in life. God uses many things to show us His love, and for Lily, it came in the form of a dream.
Recently, Lily came downstairs after being asleep all night and proclaimed, ‘Mommy, we don’t have to be sad when a star dies, because whenever a star dies a new one is born, and the Northern Lights dance. Her mom asked her, “Lily, who told you that?” Imagine the look on Lily’s mom’s face when Lily replied, “God told me in my dream.” Let’s face it, how many four-year-olds know about the Northern Lights or about stars that die? This is how personal God is to each of us. Lily’s questions about death were answered in a way she could understand, and God showed her how he takes care of the stars. She doesn’t have to feel sad or afraid of death. God comforted her by showing her something she could understand.
Many people have asked me if I believe that God still speaks in dreams and my answer is a resounding, “Yes!” Why do we try and limit what God can do? He is the God of the universe, and He can speak, talk, or even give people dreams to teach, comfort, warn and give vision for their future. There are multiple examples in scripture of how God spoke through dreams.
Remember Joseph’s dream about having authority over his family? You can find that story in Genesis 37:5-11 and Genesis 45 where Joseph told his brothers about his dream that he would have authority over them. Joseph’s dream made them so angry they sold him into slavery and told his father he died. However, his ability to interpret dreams saved his life and the lives of his family.
Gideon, Jacob, and Daniel were others who God spoke to through dreams. Daniel’s dream still has an impact on our lives today as we wait for the fulfillment of the prophecy of Christ’s return. Don’t take my word for it, but read about it in Judges 7:13-14 , Genesis 28:10-17 and Daniel, chapters 2, 4 and 7.
After my father-in-law passed away, I had a dream. I saw him sitting on the back of a wagon with a little boy. My father-in-law was happy and waving, and the little boy came running to me. I hugged this little boy with all my might and ran my fingers through his brown curly hair. His dark brown eyes beamed with love as we all walked together. There was such a genuine feeling of love between all of us. The little boy looked familiar, but I didn’t know him. The next thing I knew, the little boy and my father-in-law had to go, and I hugged them both and waved good-bye. It wasn’t until I woke up that I realized the little boy was my son. I was sad because I didn’t recognize him as my son in my dream. He was my baby boy that I had miscarried after having my daughter Alicia. I was sad, but God spoke to my heart and said if I had known, I wouldn’t have wanted to come back, and it wasn’t my time. God just wanted to show me that my son was with his grandpa and everything was okay. For years I had wondered what he would have looked like and what his personality would be, and God allowed me to see them both through my dream to bring comfort to my soul.
What about you? Have you ever had an experience where God spoke to you in a dream? We know God speaks to us when we are awake, but why do we doubt He can speak to us when we are asleep? I would love to hear about how God has spoken to you through a dream.
Even in our dreams, God is always with us, and that is a beautiful thing!
Ashley says
I love when I’ve awoken from a dream that I knew was more than just a dream as it just sticks to your heart a little extra. So beautiful!
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Ashley!
Yes! It was wonderful and made me smile all day long!
Theresa Bailey says
I’ve had dreams where loved ones have visited and it surely is a gift from God.
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Theresa!
It really is a gift and such a blessing to my heart just for that glimpse.
Courtney Byers says
What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing. God is sooo good. When I was going through a time of wanting to know where we would be moving for my husbands medical training I was so anxious and it started taking over my life. I started to pray a lot and finally one day I was at a stop light and I heard God speak to me. I had never experienced it before. He told me to not worry that he has a plan for me. I instantly started crying and will always remember that beautiful moment.
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Courtney!
Isn’t it a beautiful thing to know that God is always with us, but when we hear his voice we realize how personal our relationship with Him truly is the comfort and joy it brings to our soul. Those are the beautiful moments we treasure forever.
Amanda Martin says
Such a beautiful and touching story! Thank you for sharing
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Amanda!
Thank You for reading my story. I’m glad it touched you!
joy abou zeid says
That’s a very nice story, I loved reading it!
Sheila Rhodes says
Thank You Joy!
Dephinah Sirako says
Yes God speaks to us in dreams. It was through a dream that I met Jesus and He healed me of athritis
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Dephinah!
Praise the Lord for His goodness! I’m so thankful for a God who delivers and heals us! What a great testimony!
Erin says
I still believe that God speaks to us and that it’s us that builds up walls the block us from hearing him. So, then, it only makes sense to me that a child who is not yet built up those walls would be able to hear him all the easier.
celeste says
I love this message! Thanks for sharing with us.
Sheila Rhodes says
Thanks Celeste! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Holly says
What a special story…glad you were encouraged:)
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Holly!
It is good to know God is in all the details of our lives no matter how old. God demonstrates his love to each of us in ways only He can!
Julie I Aloha Lovely says
It’s amazing what our dreams can reveal. I wish I could remember mine more clearly.
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi Julie,
I keep a pad of paper next to my bed so I can write down the details of my dreams. I have found some are pretty significant and others are the taco I ate for supper. God always confirms what He wants me to know! Pray and God will reveal those dreams you need to know the importance about. Blessings!
Amy Christensen says
I am a firm believer too, that God can speak to us in our dreams. There was a time, where I asked Him to speak to me, just as a desire to understand Him in a new and different way. He gave me several dreams that had deep spiritual significance and I remember them well. I have a daughter who is a single mom and she is not walking with Jesus, so I often pray that God will speak to her in dreams. She has had some very interesting dreams and I know that God is trying to speak to her. She’s not willing to listen yet, but I know that the Good Shepherd desires her return to the fold. I will keep praying. Thanks so much for this lovely post. I love that God spoke to your niece in such a real and beautiful way. Have a great weekend, Sheila! – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Amy!
I will be praying for your daughter. I know that weighs on a mom’s heart. I love that you shared she isn’t willing to listen yet, but the good news I believe is that she will listen. You are right and God leaves the 99 to go look for the one! Praying in agreement with you that she will come back soon! Blessings!
Julie says
Amazing! I’ve never had a dream like this, but how awesome others get to experience this!
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Julie!
It is quite an experience and so loving of God to speak to our hearts about the things we don’t understand, but God loves us enough to show us. Thanks for your encouragement!
Susan Evans says
God has spoken to me in my dreams, too. What a precious dream for God to give that 4-year-old! Just what she needed!
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Susan!
It was precious for sure. Her heart is so tender for the things of God I know she is going to do great things for Him!
Emily Miner says
This is a great post. I have always valued what happens in my dreams and take important lessons away from them
xx theminerdetail.com
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Emily!
I agree. I believe there are many things our dreams can teach us. I’ve also had a couple of warning dreams too. Thank You for sharing. I love the name of your blog too!
Lisa @Happylifeblogspot says
This is such a sweet sentiment. I often have love ones that have passed visit me in dreams. I feel blessed having the opportunity to remember them.
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Lisa!
Me too! It is so comforting to know they are okay and happy.It gives you an incredible peace of knowing that we will see them again. The gift is remembering the dream for sure!
Heather Hart says
I have never had a personal dream experience like this, but I heard of one recently. One of the ladies in my church shared a dream her four-year-old niece had after her died. I love that God speaks to our hearts in different ways.
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Heather!
I love that our God is so personal that He takes the things we can understand no matter how old we are and bless us beyond what we can imagine. Thanks for sharing my sweet friend!
Emily | To Unearth says
I love your comment that we shouldn’t limit what God can do! Not that we can actually limit Him, but when we don’t believe He’ll work in certain ways, I sometimes think He’ll choose not to because of our lack of faith. Wonderful post!
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Emily!
I agree with your statement. It is our won faith that limits God. We’ve seen that many times in the scriptures where faith has made people do incredible things and seen disasters as a lack of faith. I choose to believe God can do anything He wants to demonstrate His mighty works. 🙂
Sue A. Marsh says
Crying tears of awe and love for our heavenly Father and how He spoke to sweet Lily. His love and grace is beyond our understanding, as adults especially. However, when He speaks to the precious heart of a four year old it is absolute beauty and unwavering truth. I only know this because of cancer. God is so very good to his children.
Thanks for the cry and sharing your precious boy with us. His curly brown hair will be forever in my memory bank. I’ll add interest until I meet my nephew one day.
Sheila Rhodes says
My Sister Sue,
Our God is so amazing! Yes, His love and grace is beyond our understanding, but yet He makes everything for us to understand in such simple ways for our hearts to understand. Lily’s heart is so tender towards the things of God and she loves her Jesus so much. God continues to use you in mighty ways to teach these precious souls about His love for each of them. I was amazed to see my boy and now I know that He knows who I am. The love I experienced in the dream was so profoundly pure nothing like I have ever experienced on earth. I’m grateful God allowed me that time with him and look forward to when it is my time to hug and hold him again.
Andrea says
God has never spoken to me in my dreams 😢
Sheila Rhodes says
Hi, Andrea!
He may have not spoken to you yet, but it doesn’t mean He won’t. It is like your website starting over with Jesus.