“What’s it like?” That’s a question Michele McCreary, a long-time acquaintance, asked me in a dream. She was talking to someone I used to work with before I retired. When our eyes met, she asked, “What’s it like?”
I thought she was asking about my retirement, as many people had recently. I told her a few things I’m doing (including starting this non-profit, Font of Mercy). She walked away puzzled and disappointed. I was confused about her reaction. She was normally a joyful, encouraging presence.
I write down the few dreams I remember in my journal to try to discover a deeper significance. When I did, I realized she wasn’t asking about my retirement. She was asking, “What is the Kingdom of Heaven like?”
I do a lot of spiritual direction, so I thought the Good Angel told me to stop talking about my retirement. It’s not good to have a spiritual director who talks too much about his/herself. People want someone to accompany them as they explore the mysteries of God’s kingdom unfolding in their lives. They search for the answer to that same question that resonates deep within our souls, “What’s it like?” What’s it like to live as God intended all His children to live?
I closed the page on this interpretation. Then a day later I received the tragic news that Michele suddenly and unexpectedly died. Shivers ran down my spine. I had no reason to think about Michele, much less insert her in one of my dreams. She had been a wonderful supporter of my ministry but I hadn’t thought about her in months, maybe years.
In the question, “What’s it like?”, I had previously determined that the ‘it’ was the kingdom of heaven. I am now blown away that this question came to me in a dream from a person who a day later experienced a sudden, unexpected death. God can merge past, present, and future. And with God, there are no coincidences. I was humbled and awestruck.
Michele was a joyful, encouraging, and generous woman. She made a difference in my life and the lives of thousands of others (see obituary). Michele has now received the answer to her question, “What’s it like?”
I am still pondering God’s message to me. I preached at her funeral (see homily) and shared this dream experience. Perhaps God wanted me to share that God is God, and communicates in many, varied ways.
May the Good Angel speak to you, not only in your lives but also in your dreams.