Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Remember When...Dreams Came True?

by guest author Roseanna White

I've always been intrigued by the stories of dreams—you know the kind. The ones that get recorded, that come true, that sometimes need interpretations. Some are prophetic . . . some rewrite the course of history.

In my upcoming Biblical novel, Jewel of Persia, I combine the book of Esther with the history of the Greco-Persian War. This war was launched because of a series of dreams. Soon after ascending to the throne, Xerxes announced he was going to war, to pay Athens and all of Greece back for their disrespect of his late father. Everyone agreed with his decision except for Xerxes’ uncle Artabanas, who advised caution. Xerxes, already renowned for his temper, called the old man a fool. But that night he rethought it and decided his uncle may be right. He made up his mind to announce the change of plans to the court the following morning.

That night he had a dream of a handsome, fierce man who taunted him for turning away from the greatness he was called to. He dismissed the dream, announced the change of plans—and the following night dreamed of the man again, whose taunting was seriously disturbing this time. Terrified, he went to his uncle. He demanded Artabanas dress in the king’s robes, sit upon the throne, and then sleep in Xerxes’ bed, hoping he would be given the same dream. Artabanas told his nephew he was being foolish, but nevertheless indulged him–I mean, he was the king. You indulged him. ;-) Much to his surprise, Artabanas did indeed have the same dream, though the man (presumed to be their god) was not fooled about who it was sleeping in the king’s bed. He was in factso enraged with him for talking the king out of war that he came at his eyes with red-hot pokers.

And so, they went to war.

This dream isn't actually in Jewel of Persia, though Xerxes tells Mordecai all about it, and it's a well known fact within the palace. But I did add another dream. This one is a woman saying, "I dreamed last night that I will deliver a little girl when we get back to Susa."

Now, it took some courage for me to put this in. Why? Well, for the very reason her husband uses in reply. "I have never heard of a mother dreaming of a girl-child, either in the stories of your people or mine."

The mother replies with my reasoning for including it. "Why would you? History only records such things if the child goes on to greatness, and women matter little . . . you read the history of men. Women tell different tales."

Ever talked to pregnant women about whether they're having a girl or a boy before they get that 20-week sonogram? Sometimes they're clueless. And sometimes they know. How? A feeling, sometimes. But many I've talked to have said, "Every time I dream about the baby–which I started doing before I even knew I was pregnant–it's a girl." (Or boy, depending.)

Me being me, these stories had me so excited that when I was pregnant with my first, I second-guessed myself constantly IN my dreams! Totally useless gauge–I would actually hold the baby in my dreams and wonder, "Boy or girl?" Sometimes the gender would change mid-dream. Kinda frustrating. ;-) But with my second child, my dreams did indeed always feature a little boy, though I was afraid to admit as much, given my dreaming-indecision before.

But as I was writing this part in Jewel of Persia, it really hit me–women didn't just start dreaming about their kids in the last few years. If we do it now, we did it then. But why record it? What does it matter?

Historically, it doesn't. The men who wrote the histories would wave it away. But we . . . we tell the tales of women. We know.

We remember.

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Haunting and powerful are two words that come to mind at the close of reading Roseanna M. White s debut novel, A Stray Drop of Blood. Not since Francine Rivers Mark of the Lion trilogy has a book and its characters captured me so completely. From its rich, historical prose that depicts the era of Christ with startling reality, to a compelling love story that will both jolt and seize your heart, this is one of those rare novels that haunts you centuries beyond the last page. Amid the seething unrest of Roman tyranny and Hebrew uprising, a spell-binding saga unfolds, unleashing startling twists of both fate and heart that will leave you utterly breathless. --~Julie Lessman, author of A Passion Most Pure

Available on amazon.com
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So what are some of your memorable dreams? Have you ever dreamed of a child? A spouse? A significant event? Any historical dreams stand out to you? Or feel free to share a fun dream with us today.

14 comments:

  1. Welcome Roseanna,
    I'm currently reading A Stray Drop of Blood in my stolen moments (Kindle for ITouch is great for waiting rooms) and I'm loving it. Your post should make everyone anxious for your new book, as well!

    I'm one of those people who often remembers dreams. I've seen a direct relationship between temperature and intensity. If I'm too warm (too many blankets) I have frightening, sometimes awful dreams. Has anyone else noticed that?

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  2. I'm famous for dreaming of tornadoes the night before they hit the area.

    With my second child I dreamed he was born prematurely, so I took it extra easy during the last trimester of that pregnancy, and he came only two weeks before the due date.

    My third child might owe his existence to a dream. Although I felt done after two kids, I couldn't shake this very vivid dream in which a prophet told me I would have three "curly haired children." It seemed too specific to be symbolizing something else, especially since all my kids come out with curly hair.

    I'm a big believer in dreams. I don't actually make huge decisions based solely on dreams, but God often uses them to build my faith in an area I need to step out into.

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  3. My most vivid is still from when I was 12. I dreamed about the day. I woke up, deliberately dressed in the outfit I'd worn in the dream, and went to school. The day played out EXACTLY like the dream, which so baffled me, yet allowed me to handle the very bizarre incidents of the day with a cool manner. (It was totally middle-school drama, with so-and-so likes so-and-so, but is going out with so-and-so, and we need to teach him a lesson. At the time it felt crucial, LOL.)

    Often lately, a dream just gives me a feeling of needing to pray for a specific person or thing.

    Dina--if you ever dream of a tornado in Western MD, you better warn me! =)

    Debra, glad you're enjoying Stray Drop!

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  4. Mmm. My favorite "prophetic" sort of dream recurred frequently from the time I was 10-11. It was like an incredibly romantic novel, with myself as heroine and this wonderful, amazing, faceless hero. (I never saw his face in my dreams.)
    One morning my junior year in HS I looked out the open door of the chemistry room and saw HIM... he was late, putting books in his locker, but I recognized the back of his head. : )
    Married him three years later!
    Fun, huh?

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  5. I dream often and often remember my dreams -- much to the dismay of my family when I used to retell them all the time!! My first dream that "came true" was one I had at age 10 where I dreamed that my Great-Grandparents were sick. That morning we discovered Great Grandma was ill.

    A number of years ago, I had what I knew was a God-given dream but it wasn't as straight-forward as that childhood dream. The bottom line was a foretelling of my marriage. The underlying theme was that of a protector and one who would love. And about five years later, when in my mid-40s, I married for the first time to a man who loves me dearly and takes fabulous care of me! :) And what is cool about the whole foretelling is that the dream was only one part. There were so many other confirmations along the way. It's a long story but...one of great importance to me personally!

    From time to time, I do pray that God would speak to me in dreams. I know that is a means He uses and I want to be open to that.

    Elaine King

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  6. Welcome to the Inkwell, Roseanna.

    When I first married my husband, I had several dreams where he tried to kill me off. He was a Military Policeman and had training in weapons, explosives and firefighting. In the dream I remember most, I was in our car with the hood raised and he was off to the side with an SMG (sub-machine gun). Raising the SMG, he fired a burst of rounds at the motor until flames erupted. I went to open the door but he waved me back saying, 'It's okay, honey. Stay there.' He smiled at me, so I stayed as the car burned up around me. I awoke, sweating and crying at that point. My other dreams were of a similar nature and continued on for through the first year of our marriage.

    Now at this point, you're probably thinking he was abusive or something. He wasn't. He was such a loving husband who never even went out with the guys as he'd done when he was single. After watching my father, my hubby's tendency to stay home wasn't natural and I kept asking if he was going out. He always replied that he'd rather be home with me than out with them. And it finally dawned on me ... so many wives would give anything to have their husbands stay home and I was trying to push mine out the door! That did it. I treasured him for staying home and let him know it.

    So why the dreams? I finally figured out that because of my rough childhood, I've always had a hard time trusting people. So yes, I had married but I hadn't really trusted Nelson was one of the 'good guys' until after he proved himself to be one.

    We've been married over 33 yrs and those dreams have never come back.

    I'll be looking for your books, Roseanna.

    Anita Mae.

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  7. So cool to see how He speaks to us, isn't it? Thanks for sharing your dreams (literally!), ladies!

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  8. Great post, Roseanna!! And now you've got me chomping all the more at the bit for Jewel of Persia, girl. Pretty thrilled that I have an ARC copy sitting on my desk right now!!!

    I was an infertility patient for years before I was able to get pregnant, but one night I had a dream that I was at my own baby shower with a certain outfit, which ended up being an outfit I did wear during my pregnancy (can't remember if I wore it to one of my several showers or not ...), so I'm thinking that was definitely prophetic and completely wonderful!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  9. Well get reading, Julie! ;-)

    That's very similar to my heroine's dream, actually. It was encouragement after a lot of disappointment--the assurance she needed to let hope into her heart.

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  10. Thanks for your post, Roseanna! I'm such a fan of Stray Drop and can't wait to read Jewel.

    Just this morning I had an anxiety dream. I have the same sort of dream every once in a while: I'm in college and can't find my books and there's a test today and I never went to the class (pant pant!). So ridiculous, but I guess it's a way to work some stress out. My dad is 70 and still has this sort of dream. :-)

    Thanks! Can't wait to read Jewel of Persia!

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  11. I have that one all the time! And a band-head version, where I have a concert but can't find my clarinet or music or reeds . . . or remember how to play, LOL.

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  12. I still have dreams that I'm in college and don't have my schedule on the first day of class or that I can't remember my schedule mid-semester.

    By the way, I read a great book once about Christian dream interpretation. The Hebrews were experts at it, but its sort of become a lost art.

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  13. My weirdest dreams happen during pregnancy, which I know is really common. When I first got pregnant with my second, I had nightmares almost every night. It seems especially strange now that he's here. He's so sweet and easy-going.

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  14. Julie Lessman's review of Rosanna's "Drop of Stray Blood" incredibly says exactly how stunning this book is. I read it and it is constantly running through my mind. It is not a story that will be forgotten. I am looking forward to "Jewel of Persia." Rosanna's skill and talent for writing Biblical stories with truth surrounded by fiction causes one to feel that is exactly the was it was for the characters involved.

    Speaking of dreams, yes, I dream sometimes I think too much. Lately, it's strange, but I've been dreaming of my grandmother and my adopted children. Two of the adoptions were of older toddlers and we didn't adopt them at their birth. The third baby we adopted was a baby. I continue to dream that these children are in my arms as babies. I behold their baby faces, sing to them, talk to them and when I wake, that dream is strongly around me for several days. It's unexplainable, and I feel so loved in a longing way. I have had dreams that have become reality to a certain degree. Enough to make me dread certain dreams. I suppose we all feel that from time to time.

    Thanks for letting me express something I don't know how to express. Life is such a mystery.

    Peace & Love,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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