By Alyssa Bormes
You know that funny spot between sleeping and not sleeping—especially that spot in the morning before you wake up that feels like you are awake but you are not? Okay—now think of that dream/awake spot right there—the spot where it feels like a dream might be really happening—that’s the spot I was in.
To set the stage, my house has been in a constant state of flux for the 14 months I’ve lived here. Currently in my bedroom, there are the vanity that will go into the bathroom, a cupboard that will go to my sister’s garage (because I measured wrong, and a new one is coming), an assortment of boxes, and the arrival of two pinkish chairs from my mother’s estate. The chairs will eventually take the place of the vanity and cupboard, but for now, they remain right at the foot of my bed.
So in that lovely dream spot mentioned earlier, I had a nightmare. Sitting in one of the chairs was a man who was berating me. I knew him immediately, by sight and by the broken record of insults. In the haze of the dream, I closed my eyes but could still hear him. I looked at him again, and thought, “I refuse to believe you this time.”
In what seemed like a tremendous act of the will, I forced myself from the sleep-induced hallucination and awoke. The chair was now empty. What came next was a mix of a rebuke and a morning offering. I looked at where he sat, and stated, “Don’t come back to this house. Your scorn has nothing to do with me, and you may never again sit in my pink chairs.” And in the next breath, “Jesus, I will serve; what will you have me do for the day?”
About five minutes later, when water was running over me in the shower, I was amazed—not only that it had happened, but also that it was handled! What a cool victory!
In the past, visitors to the dream moment, or to real life, who berated me, were always given credence. My day, or week, or month was finished. I sank, and I wouldn’t reach for Christ. But now I have a trick—I reach for Jesus everyday. When someone tries interrupting my life, they have to deal with a habit. And—the habit is that I offer my day to Jesus, not to the destruction of my own soul, and not to listening to lies.
Jesus, I dig you! Thank you for allowing me to pray to you everyday!
And what I’m going to try to do is reserve that funny dreamy spot for the angels—or if You and Mary want to swing by, take a seat in the pink chairs, I’d love to have You visit!
About the Author:
Alyssa Bormes is an educator, author, speaker, and retreat leader. She currently teaches at the Chesterton Academy in Edina, Minnesota, writes for the Catholic Spirit, and the W.I.N.E blog, is the host of a weekly show “Christian Witnesses in the Church,” on Radio Maria US, and is the author of The Catechism of Hockey. You can find her at alyssabormes.com.
I love the angles in the pink chair! Yes!
We could all use a visit from the angels in our pink chairs!
Way to go girl!I’m so proud of you. I could have written this. Think I’ll do this too. Thanks &blessings on you.
Cheryl – thank you! Please do put Jesus in your pink chair! His is the voice to believe! God bless you!
This so resonates with me! Especially since I am still dealing with my brother/mother/father’s estate! This gives me JOY!! I love you, Alyssa Bormes
Well Carol – I love you right back! Thank you for your comments – I am so grateful to be any part of JOY!
I think Jesus and Mary would look fetching chillin in pink chairs!
I would really dig it – and I would make them a great breakfast including my mom’s pancakes!
I put my guardian angel in my pink chair this morning! I had to track down my daughters guardian angel because my daughters voice at my bedroom door calling for “mom” woke me……but my daughter wasn’t standing there, she was asleep in bed. I was able to sleep another blessed hour after that.
Cool! We all need pink chairs for our guardian angels!
love it! I may have to find a chair for my bedroom!
After reading the comments – I’m convinced that we all need pink chairs!
Wow, I’m relieved to read about another human in a “constant state of flux.” I feel that way too, most especially, when I sit in my office surrounded by stacks of boxes, books, & papers that consume me (not to mention all the other household chores that pile up). Thanks for sharing this story. My “Ah ha moment” was when you shared that you, HAVE A HABIT & reach for Jesus everyday & offer your day to JESUS not the destruction of your own soul. I’m happy that habit has been revealed. I’m content reading my scripture studies in my messy, cluttered office making Jesus the priority of my day. Cleaning and organizing should NOT take over my focus on God. The study this week has really inspired me! Cheers to more cool victories.
Thank you Aurora! I’m sitting at my desk that is cluttered – looking at my living room that has a super tall box of finishing pieces for my cabinets, a lamp & shade that aren’t together and don’t have a home, there are workmen working inside and outside of my house – and it is still a home. Keep Jesus right in the center – and the rest just gets taken care of. You are the disciple Jesus loves!
Thank you! I love this beautiful story. I touch me greatly.