Dreams and Memories

And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. Acts 2:17 NKJV

Paul quotes the prophet Joel in this verse, and you will notice the order of the actions which ends with the old men dreaming dreams. I had always seen this part of the verse as a slight on the older generation, who after all can do nothing except dream. I have come to believe something else, something different. The visions referred to are in the future, but dreams are set in the past. True, but the verse talks about the ‘last days’ or the end times. So, when do we turn to our memories (or dreams) if not at the end of our active lives?

I was reminded recently of the significance, and yes importance of making memories. When you are younger, and pursuing your visions, without knowing it, you are storing up memories to be tapped into when you are older, when visions are no longer an option. There comes a time when all you may be left with, are memories. So what kind of memories do you want to be left to remember? A tough question, because no one wants to be left with bad memories, but that happens all too often. It happens when we chase the wrong vision, or should that be ‘dream’?

There is something special, good, and even Blessed about looking back with happiness on the life lived, choices made, and blessings given and received. Nothing can take away your memories, whether good or bad, so why not make the choice to have good memories while you are chasing that vision? Visions today will become the memories of tomorrow, so make them worthwhile. I am reminded of a line in a poem penned by my daughter Karen, which goes something like: ‘Making gardens out of mem’ries, from each tiny seed we’d sow’. She was writing about her Granda, and the eternal significance of his life on hers. He was gone, and all that was left was the memory, and guess what? It is good, and oftentimes enough to help get us through this life. So do not underestimate the power and strength of happy memories, and equally the destructive nature of bad ones. I hope that is enough to allow us to ‘dream (good) dreams’ for the coming time when we will need them most.