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Photo by DimiTalen 2019 |
Many decades ago, my father had the opportunity to meet the
owner of a castle in Ireland which he had converted to a luxury hotel. Although
their meeting occurred in a business-related situation, the two became fast
friends. The castle owner was extremely generous, and on several occasions
gifted my parents with airfare to Ireland and a week’s stay at his elegant
establishment.
Sadly, my parents and the hotel owner are no longer living,
but my husband, son, daughter-in-law and I were blessed to visit the castle
several years ago, thoroughly enjoying our stay and making many wonderful
memories.
With that as background, I recently dreamed that I was
staying at the castle and wanted to express my appreciation to the owner for
his hospitality to my parents. I decided that I would offer to cook him a
special meal, and he accepted the invitation.
But as the day approached, my anxiety grew. What could I
possibly prepare that would be a treat for the owner of a Michelin-rated
restaurant? Where would I shop for the ingredients, and where would I do the
cooking and plating?
I decided to ask the restaurant manager for suggestions. To
my relief, he invited me to use his kitchen for my culinary endeavors and
assured me that his staff would procure whatever was on my shopping list.
On the appointed day, I prepared dinner for two – simple,
yet I hoped it would be tasty. Pleased with my efforts, I was leaving the
kitchen when the restaurant manager approached me.
“Have you invited the owner’s family?” he asked.
“Why, no,” I stammered in embarrassment.
“The owner always dines with his relatives and staff, whom
he considers to be his extended family,” the manager pointed out.
Crestfallen, I was ashamed of my lack of foresight and
inability to provide such a huge repast.
“Don’t worry,” he said gently. “We’ll take the dinner you
prepared and make it work!”
So I thanked him and went to my room to change into a
formal gown appropriate for dinner at a castle!
That evening, hundreds of guests, all dressed in their best
attire, filed into the vast dining hall. Every table was set with crisply
starched white linens, fine gold-rimmed china, Waterford crystal goblets,
sterling silver flatware, and crimson rose bouquets. The candelabra were all
lit, reflecting light from the full suits of armor arranged along the mahogany walls,
as if on guard to protect the guests. Flags of many nations hung regally in
between each knight’s armor.
The food I had prepared sat in the middle of a long serving
table, yet it had miraculously increased to be able to feed the hundreds of
guests in attendance. Surrounding it were a myriad of platters, tureens and
serving dishes containing roasts, vegetables, seafood, appetizers, desserts and
other gourmet delicacies that looked and smelled heavenly!
As I marveled at the abundant provision to which I had made
such a minute contribution, I awoke feeling thankful yet humbled by the dream.
It reminded me that God will always use what we give back to Him, whether our
time, talent, or treasure, and multiply it to bless others.
I believe the castle owner represented God the Father, who
blesses us exceedingly abundantly beyond what we could ever imagine or think (Ephesians 3:20),
because He gives to us according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). The restaurant manager
may have symbolized Jesus Christ His Son, the earthly manifestation of the
Father (John 14:7-9) Who draws others to God. In addition, the manager may represent any
faithful steward who wisely uses his God-given resources to lead others to the
Lord and to encourage them in His work (Luke 12:42; 1 Corinthians 4:2).
Jesus told of a man who ordered his servants to invite
guests to his feast from the highways and hedges, because those who should have
attended were too busy or had other poor excuses for missing it (Luke 14:16-24).
In my dream, the manager was a faithful steward who expanded the attendance of
the feast from merely two to a huge crowd, all of whom could be nourished both
physically and spiritually.
Jesus fed the multitudes through the miracles of the loaves and fishes, in each case using a humble gift from a person of modest means (Matthew
14:14-21; 15:29-38). He honored the monetary donation of the
widow far beyond that of the much larger gifts of the wealthy, even though she
gave only a mite worth barely a penny, because it was all she had (Mark
12:41-44).
It doesn’t matter how much or how little we think we have.
Once we are saved by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus
Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John
14:6), we will be rewarded for and others will be blessed by any
resources we give back to Him with the right motive (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).
At the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9),
believers of all nations will dine sumptuously as we celebrate the union of the Church, or body and bride of Christ, with her Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ
Himself. The suits of armor in the dream may represent faithful prayer warriors
who fought bravely in the battles of spiritual warfare, putting on the whole
armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), and the flags the saints from
many kindreds and nations (Revelation 7:9).
When we make it our mission to use what He has given us to
glorify Him and show His love to others, He will empower us, opening doors,
providing us with what we need, and showing the way. Praise God that His
strength is made perfect in our weakness! (2 Corinthians 12:9).
We can’t outgive God! May we use His gifts wisely to honor
Him and bless others!
© 2024 Laurie Collett