I received this dream just before waking up this morning (3/15/23).
In the dream, I was inside my home (but not my actual home). People were arriving unexpectedly and they needed a place to stay for the night. The living room was full of people (strangers) sleeping on the floor. We tried to help in whatever way we could.
An adult arrived with children. I asked for someone to find extra blankets for the children. Later, I realized that they not only had the blankets we had given them, they also had fancy new sleeping bags (which we didn't provide). Even though they didn't need the blankets we provided, they kept them instead of making them available to others who needed them.
In the morning, everyone left except one person. It was a tall, thin man dressed in black, and laying under a dark blanket on the floor. I didn't recall seeing him arrive. When he got up, he admitted that he had left a trail of urine throughout the living room. He claimed that he had difficulty finding the bathroom in the night. There was a very wide trail of urine (back and forth) on the carpet and it appeared to have been left on purpose (as if he'd been marking territory or casting a spell).
After he left, I realized that someone had stolen all of my jewelry (including sentimental items that had belonged to my parents). I became sad and started to quietly cry.
Then I woke up from the dream.
___
Note:
Five days ago, I had a conversation with a family member regarding what type of help we might offer people in need and the importance of seeking God for discernment and wisdom (who to help and how to help them).
Any thoughts / comments?
__________________
3/25/23
I need to clarify some things about the dream:
I wasn't feeling jealous about the people having a fancy new sleeping bag - I was upset that they took something that they didn't need and therefore, it wouldn't be available for someone else who might really need it. I had offered the blankets without first determining if they really needed them. I think it was a warning about people with fear-based greed (hoarding) and the need for us ask God for discernment before offering help.
I wasn't upset about cleaning up after the people who genuinely needed help - I was concerned about the uninvited evil person who intentionally defiled my home and possibly invited more evil into my home. I didn't invite him into my home but he arrived with the strangers who came into my home. I think it was a warning to pray for protection from evil as we go about what God calls us to do.
Regarding someone stealing some of my things (e.g. items of monetary value, items of sentimental value):
I think the dream offers several warnings. People who arrive appearing to be in need may arrive under false pretenses and they may have subversive intensions. In addition, I think it is a reminder about what Jesus said in Luke 6 & 12. And it's a warning not to be attached to material things (even things of sentimental value).
I've heard people (even those who call themselves Christians) say that if someone comes to take what they have stored up, they will defend their possessions even if it meant killing people. They justify those potentially violent actions by saying they need to provide for their own family.
I'm not saying that we should stand by and do nothing when evil people try to rape / murder anyone. But I do believe that we are ask God what He would have us do if / when people threaten violence against us. And we will hear Him better if we have already surrendered any attachments / expectations regarding whatever material things we have. Trust God's plan for all the things He has given us (we are only the stewards).
God will provide for His own. He will use whatever situation He allows. He will walk with us through whatever He allows. He will make good come from the challenges.
Isaiah 58: 11
The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Luke 6: 27-30, 38
But I say unto you which hear,
Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.
Bless them that curse you,
And pray for them which despitefully use you.
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other;
And him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
Give to every man that asketh of thee;
And of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 12: 29-31
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Proverbs 3: 5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Isaiah 55: 8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
2 Peter 3: 9-10
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward,
Not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Romans 8: 28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
People are often torn-- wanting to be helpful, but finding recipients might not intend to reciprocate.
My first impression of this dream, was similarity to countries taking in immigrants-- especially refugees. Countries / groups/ individuals try to be generous, merciful, accommodating -- because they hold an ideal in their minds.
Guests arrived without adequate chance to prepare for them, yet you hosted them within your ideal of how humans in community should look out for each other.
Hurt and disillusionment contend with realities.
Twinge of jealousy over fancy new bags is similar to many taxpayers expressing-- that they are making less working full time, than some immigrants are getting in assistance. I would quote stats, but they keep changing.
Budget billions 2023
PDF DHS stats
Someone recently said, [Humans have tendency to pity the victim; but victims do not always want pity. They walk into many bad situations knowingly.]
They were referring to cults being invigorating and inspiring, then over time manipulative/abusive... but it can apply to many things in life.
We can't fully predict the safety or goodness of a situation, when other humans' choices are unpredictable. Different ethics.
I often find I'll gather supplies to share with people who've expressed need, but by the time I have it all together, nobody wants it and I'm stuck storing it. I've built up scenarios in my head, of how I can be helpful; but it doesn't line up with realities.
In praying about ways you can help, pray about being savvy. Generosity can include discerning actual need. Setting guidelines and limits. Protecting family and neighbors.
The dream itself is a good reference -- even after you overlooked slight unfairness, you were still stolen from, and had to clean up after the recipients of your kindness. You can build in rules and terms that will help protect you.
Then at the end of the day, it is not emotions and disappointment that are the focus. Or beaten-down faith. It will be easier to accept the loss that [you] were once willing to give. God's house, God's provisions... we are stewards.