The story of Joseph, the young interpreter of dreams, has intrigued people of all ages for centuries. Joseph didn’t always make friends when he related the meaning of  dreams, but he continued to do so.  I’ve been known to have some very weird dreams which might even raise Joseph’s eyebrows or at least cause him to see to it that I get psychiatric help.

Occasionally the yucky memories I try to forget, sneak out of those hidden places in my mind and make their way into my dreams. I wake with an unsettling feeling and sometimes in a cold sweat. The dream seemed so real that I thought I was waking up in it.

We can’t escape disappointments – unhappiness – shattered hopes or missed opportunities. Those things are part of who we are. Those experiences can shape us or destroy us if we let them.

God invites us into His loving arms each day. He promises to hug us with His protection, love, hope and His forgiveness. Yes! All our wrongdoings have been erased. We have a clean slate. We have a second chance when we face into our sins and sincerely repent of them.

As we learn to accept that unconditional forgiveness, we can shake off those feelings of guilt and shame. The devil wants us to believe that it’s still necessary for us to do something to pay our own way, but that isn’t how God works. We can never out do Him.  His mercy endures forever.

Lord, please give me the confidence to know that the dark things I am guilty of have be forgiven and forgotten by you through your very own Son, Jesus.  His sacrifice for me and the entire world isn’t just a dream.  It’s a reality. Amen!