The dream 6/29/24
My stepson (who lives an alternative lifestyle and is gay) and some of his friends were throwing a big party at our home (he doesn't live with us). One of his friends was the person in charge of decorations. Stepson's friend's character was weird, prideful, and aggressive, so no one dared challenge him. He sat next to me, and we started talking. I felt very uncomfortable or uneasy around him.
Next, a repairman entered to check things in the house. We asked him what he was doing, and he said our home had double gas lines, so he needed to check them out. The repairman took a seat while the guy and I were having a conversation. I felt that the repairman was helping me be careful with my words so I wouldn't offend the man decorating the house. We got on the subject of homosexuality, and I said I didn't even know what a bull dagger (lesbian) looked like, but again, the repairman was helping me to be careful with my words.
Then, the friend led us to where the party was taking place so we could see the decorations. They were weird and creepy, with all types of defiled things. As we walked through the decorations, I eventually exited the door and found a store. I went in but didn't purchase anything. I left the store walking and found myself in my childhood neighborhood.
Everything had changed, and all the people I knew from childhood were no longer there. A lady was sitting on the porch of our old home, and then I looked into a neighbor's house who used to be Hispanic, but now a black lady occupied the home.
Then I left and opened a door with steps leading upstairs. The stairs were steep, but it was the only way out of the place, so I climbed them. I counted the steps: 25. Once I reached the top, I opened the door and was at a different location. I opened the door, and I started walking again. Then I caught the subway train, where an older lady knew me. She called out my name, so I went to her, and we talked.
I asked her to get off at my stop. Meanwhile, someone gave me a little white car to drive, but the steering wheel was broken. The steering collar would break apart while I was driving, and the lady would hold the pieces and repair the steering wheel every time it broke apart; the color of the steering wheel was black.
Lastly, as we were driving, the lady began directing me to where she desired to be dropped off. She wanted me to take a specific exit, but I missed it. She said she would get a room for the night, but I told her to stay with me. We took the next exit, and I let her out but told her to stay put and that I would be right back to get her. I then drove home. The party was over, but no one had cleaned up.
I knew the lady would stay with me and not spend the night at the hotel, so I was concerned with the house's condition. Next, I left the house to go and get the lady, but she was gone. I saw strange things around me, like a crazy woman in her yard wielding a broom. But I kept walking and began to call the lady named Bertha. Other people knew I was looking for the lady, but they had yet to see her. I was determined to find her, so I kept walking and calling out to her.
Then I woke up!
Adding...
Recently listened to Dr Ramani vid on narcissism, suggesting we don't go deep with people who will take our precious facts and twist them. Keeping conversation on the level of courtesy with people who may wreck our interiors.
Not letting a strong-willed person in any further, but staying on pleasantry topics. Otherwise we repeatedly subject ourselves to trauma.
As a step-parent, you'd likely feel responsibility for your stepson, and express concern for risks he may endure. But you have probably already had conversations, and endured backlash. After a certain age, their drive for independence makes it hard to convey your heart for them, no matter how good your intents.
If he's taking a stance that all Christians harm all "alternatives," and is running on team-spirit energy, then it's unlikely he would be open to repair damage. Hurtful conversations etc, crushing your heart for his well-being. It may happen years from now.
I'm thinking the dream may show it is not likely that conversation will bring him closer to family.
It might even be showing him leaving family without attempting to stay in contact. A lot of young adults these days encourage each other to break off family ties -- and a lot of parents are left wondering why. Maybe God is preparing you for the trajectory that is already set up.
As for the female acquaintance, I wonder if it is someone God will bring your way soon, that you can cherish temporarily, and be at peace with when she needs to leave.
Disclaimer: I am not giving professional advice; and am not certain that this is what your dream means. I am just conveying what it looks like to me, after prayer.
A few things that might give clarity to work with:
Steering --you had good intents, given a clean white car, compact/simple and all you needed to get somewhere, but you couldn't control where it was heading. You wanted to be generous and friendly to the woman, but could barely get her where she needed to go.
This is similar to how people feel when avoiding offense with terminology. The path seems straightforward, but one little slip like addressing by gender can lead you into a lawsuit or job loss.
The woman wasn't putting you in that position; instead, helping you navigate it.
Black (steering wheel) can be absence of information (like a dark room where you trip on things).
Everything is your responsibility, in the car.
In the subway, someone else is driving and determining the path, so you can relax and not think about where it's heading.
The woman seemed fairly in-line with your stance and belief system, maybe goals; and you were probably relieved to connect with someone you didn't need to be on edge with. You were generous with her at least twice, while your stepson imposed on your space and didn't take responsibility to clean up.
IRL I've had conversations with people who are so focused on alternative topics, that they forget other people are not similarly keyed into it. They read memes, listen to comedians, watch videos on injustices, converse with peers... get energized by hearing about offenses. Then these specific friends prod others, as though to trip them up and prove them wrong --- (when those declared offenders are just driving along in their simple uncluttered cars).
These friends are together on their own high-speed train; not grasping how outsiders are preoccupied by [mortgages, children's homework, health issues, pursuing degrees]... people just getting through life, not spending time thinking about those ideologies.
"People I knew from childhood were no longer there" -- stability changing, relationships you'd learned and now have to relearn. Out of your control, even in your core domain. You might not have liked everyone in your past, but you knew what to expect of them.
The woman wanted a very specific drop-off point, and missing it added stress. It was one more area you didn't have control over. You wanted to continue supporting her after you'd dropped her off temporarily, but lost that mutual support. The dream seemed to end with no resolution, the uneasy feeling got even worse.
She seemed to be the only one you found with similar goals and mindsets. It is precious to find someone like-minded, in this changing world. You don't need to adjust your wording for her, or walk on pins and needles to prevent offense.
IRL, recently I've drifted from some of my friends like this, just being tired of dealing with their quirks and personality differences. But then I realize without having these few who are on the same track of living for Christ, I'd have few else to travel with.
Thank God for the gems that He brings across our path, and the long-time friends that stabilize our lives.