"When Dreams Become Reality"

As I brushed the powdery snow

from my car this morning,

I remembered other winters

when I chipped away

at thick ice

with my kitchen spatula

or, with great effort,

pushed snow away

with a cookie sheet.

I remembered each step

when I ever-so-carefully

made my way

down the untreated walk,

only to fall

face-down in the snow

This morning, I found myself dreaming

of a garage or carport.

SHELTER …

that’s all I ask.

It’s a small enough dream,

isn’t it?

Sitting at my desk at work,

in a chair that

swivels and rolls,

in an office with no windows,

and in a cubbyhole

that isn’t inviting,

I found myself

dreaming once again …

dreaming of a big wooden porch.

My daydreams were of

porch rockers that didn’t

swivel or roll

but slowly rocked

back and forth

with a rhythmic creak.

Rocking in a porch rocker,

drinking iced tea

and being in the presence

of a dear and trusted friend …

A PORCH …

that’s all I ask.

it’s a small enough dream,

isn’t it?

The reality of it all

is that neither carport

nor wooden porch

is in my near future.

But dreams become hopes

and hopes become prayers

and prayers are heard always

and in special ways.

They take on different

shapes and hues …

even the shapes of

the shelter of carports

and the hue of a porch

where I can be silent

and exhale.

Prayers become the iced tea

that quenches a thirst

that is hard to describe

and the place and presence

where I am called

both “friend” and “beloved”.

Oh God, give me SHELTER

in your great Love and  Presence.

Shelter me from things

that might

freeze my heart

or cause me to fall

face-down in this world.
Equip me with words
that I might share
and compassion
that I might offer.

Lift me up and brush me off

when I feel an aloneness,

and whisper once more,

“I am with you always”

and “beloved child.”

Receive my “welcome”

on this PORCH

of my dreams and hopes

and questions.

Be silent with me,

or in conversation with me,

Holy One.

Teach me to listen.

Help me to rock

on this porch of life,

as creaky as it is,

so that I might be in

rhythm with your will.

SHELTER and a PORCH …

my dreams have come true

in that place where

dreams become hopes

and hopes become prayers

and prayers become reality.

AMEN.