Have you ever had a dream that was almost too real? A few years ago I had a dream like that. I was dreaming that I was in Wal-Mart (that's literally the beginning of a nightmare) and had lost my son. We have all lost track of our kids for a few seconds, but this time, the seconds turned to minutes and I became frantic. This dream was probably not very long, but it was long enough to cause real fear while I was sleeping. I remember finally waking up and being overwhelmed with relief that it was indeed just a terrible dream. Nonetheless, it was a dream that I would never forget. Again, a dream that was too real.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago. I was at the car dealership getting our vehicle serviced. My son was content to watch Nickalodeon in the kids room, but my daughter has not learned how to be content just yet. So I decided to let her roam the showroom and climb in and out of the different vehicles to pass the time. I thought our car would be finished shortly so I didn't bother to tell my son what we were up to. Besides, he was entranced by the kids movie he was watching.
About 10 minutes after our showroom tour began, Jackson made his way out of the kids room and found me. With tears in his eyes, he asked, "why did you leave me there." He explained that he didn't know that we had left and that he was "freaked out" when he couldn't find us. That phrase troubled me and it immediately triggered the memory of the dream that was all too real. I knew the panic of losing track of my son, but now I had witnessed the panic from the other side - from my son who was "freaked out" when he couldn't find me.
I apologized to him quickly and reassured him that I wouldn't ever leave him. Still, this moment stuck with me for a while. So often we only think of how difficult it is to lose track of our children and we forget what a lost child feels and experiences. What if my son's fear was twice as much as mine?
All of this reminded me of the promises found in scripture. Specifically, in Hebrews 13:5 where we are reminded that if you are in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, He "will never leave you or forsake you." So no matter what the situation or struggle, He is there to walk with us. We are not alone or lost. Just as my son will cry out "Dad?" when he's unsure of where I am, we must do the same in our relationship with God. If we feel lost or "freaked out," cry out to God. He wants to be our refuge and source of eternal hope. It's this very real promise that brings an real relief in my heart.
