Wedding Dreams

I’m just going to come out and say it: God teaches me life lessons through wedding dreams. (Yep, I am a total girl.)

Hear me out.  About three and a half years ago, when I was really struggling with anxiety, I had several dreams about weddings. The most memorable one being where I walked down the aisle with my Mom instead of my Dad, no one was paying attention to me, the groom wasn’t there, and I threw up at the altar. (Nightmare. But it was a realization that I felt like I was handling a lot of big things all on my own and nothing was going to turn out the way it was supposed to. See it?)
In the past week, I have had two more dreams related to weddings. 

First let me say this: Dreaming about weddings doesn’t mean the point of the dream is about weddings.  A counselor told me once that the context of a dream might just be something important or intimate for you.  Maybe its so you remember it better, or maybe so it just really relates. I’m not sure. Anyways, the point is – I’m a girl + girls love weddings = wedding dreams.

First dream: I was about to get engaged.  But I knew I was getting engaged.  It was me and him and a huge group of people, and what was about to happen was just common knowledge.  So we were all traveling together to the location where he would propose, and when we got there it was all set up, with candles and lights and it was very romantic.  Everyone sat in their seats – with me and the guy on a stage – and before he popped the question, someone made an announcement: “Ok remember, when you take pictures, turn off the flash or it will ruin the pictures.”  WHAT. 

I woke up right before he actually proposed, and I just felt disappointed.  Not because I didn’t get to experience the proposal, but because the whole scenario was so disappointing.  I thought to myself, “I don’t want to know how its all going to happen!”  Ding Ding – Epiphany!

How many times have I said – or prayed – “I just want to know how _____ is going to turn out! I just want to know how my life will turn out!  I just want to know how I’ll meet him/get that job/etc. etc.!!”

God says – No.  The journey is part of the JOY.  Knowing how it will all happen takes the fun out of all of it. Let My story for you be a surprise!

It reminds me of the great quote from the movie, "Dan in Real Life", where he says, "Plan to be surprised."

Dream number two: It was a close friend of mine’s wedding day (no idea who it was, sorry friends).  All of a sudden, for whatever reason, she decided she didn’t want to get married that day.  But there were guests, and cake, and everything was all lined up!  Well apparently I was already engaged, so logically she asked me, “Do you want to get married today? Take my wedding!”

I for some reason said yes, and quickly started making it my wedding day. The problem was I didn’t know the guests there.  None of my family or friends were there.  I tried to track down my friends to be my bridesmaids, but it wasn’t happening.  It wasn’t the wedding experience I wanted.

Two words came to me after having this dream: Don’t Rush.

Things will happen in their time, and obviously it will be better that way.  (For example: Your friends will actually be at your wedding…you won’t have to use rando’s for your bridesmaids.)  And in the greater scheme of life, don’t try to rush God’s plan.  He makes us wait for a reason.  He has us in a particular season for a specific purpose.  If we just slow down and stop rushing Him, I am sure we will experience His blessings all over our lives. (I’m preaching to myself right now.)

So there you have it: Through wedding dreams, we can learn…

You are not meant to know how the whole story ends, how it all works out.  Let yourself be surprised by God’s plan.

Don’t rush it, His timing is perfect.

Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you (and you don’t get to know them!), declares the LORD.  ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope (and a groom who actually shows up!)’.” (italics mine, obviously.)

Blessings, friends. Practice patience.