“In the bible, dreams are one of the most significant ways through which God communicates,” Sue Monk Kidd, from “The Invention of Wings.”

My most vivid dreams are about houses; these have reccurred since childhood. The dreams are always about a place I am living in or have lived in. They are familiar and safe. Each starts with me walking from room to room just looking at the house.

Then, I stumble upon a secret passageway. I always look around before heading through to see what is on the other side with a slight feeling of trepidation. Yet, I then discover a room or series of rooms with treasures. Usually, I find antiques or an art studio or a series of guest rooms.

I grow excited and dash out to show someone, my sister when I was younger or my husband now. I try to explain it to them, then lead the way back to the place with the secret door. Only to find that it is no longer there. This treasure, this secret space, this unexplored trove is only accessible to me. And it becomes a place where I cannot return.

This reccurring house dream is a comfort, a fun discovery. If Kidd’s comment is correct and the dream is a way of God communicating with me, I am not sure how to interpret it. I think it is about unlocking the gifts within me that are hidden from view and accessible only to me.

A new twist

However, a funny thing happened recently when the dream returned with a new twist. I was able to take my husband to the secret place. The door remained present and open. In this variation, the new passage led to an office down a hallway in our basement.

The room was a mess, but the sturdy wall-to-wall bookcase showed promise of what the space could become, a creativity den. A suite to suit my writing needs. It was littered with debris, the furniture covered with a thick carpet of dust and grime. Its beauty was only in the eye of the beholder. It would take some work to make the space inviting and tranquil.

In the dream, my husband was unimpressed but agreed to put in the elbow grease to make it mine. After decades of having the same reccurring dream, it was a relief to be able to return to the space; it had a permanence. I awoke with incredible happiness.

I consider Monk’s words, God speaking to me. If that were true, it is an affirmation that my husband belongs in my sacred space, his soul connected to mine. It also speaks to the work that must be done to have the things we want.

Ironically, I do have a lovely office in real life; I do not need another room. Each place that I have lived has had an office space for me. There was the two-bedroom apartment when I was single, an alcove off a dining room when I shared an apartment with my toddler, a walk-in closet without clothing but rather a desk at another apartment, a desk in front of the dormer window on the second floor of the first house we lived in after we were married.

I am unsure why I would dream of having a dingy project to transform into an office. It may be to remind me that I already have all that I need within me. No need to explore, but to take in the reality of abundance in and completeness of my life.

Sharing another room

A few weeks later, I had another house dream. This time, my home had significant flood damage. My sister was with me helping me clean up from the loss. While I was walking to access the building, I came upon a glass door and peered inside to find a beautiful sunroom complete with three sides of windows, lush green plants, and a glass ceiling. I called out to my sister. She came and shared the awe with me. I woke up amazed that I could now bring two people with me.

Until I brought others to these undiscovered rooms, I thought these dreams were representative of my future growth. Now, as I reflect, I believe they may show me life is bigger than it seems. God blesses me with unfamiliar, new places so I can recognize the unknown is beyond our conscious imaginations and are full of treasure. Perhaps, after all this time, the fact that I can bring others to these places is showing me the way to bring people to appreciate hidden greatness.

Perhaps my faith, too, is strong enough to share with others and spread the love of discovering the possibilities of spiritual exploration. In my waking life, I am left with the message to share my Chrisitan beliefs with others, first with those I know intimately, and, if brave enough, with an unknown audience.

Writing about these dreams and their interpretation is part of my writing practice, which is tied to my spiritual journey. I invite you to share the times when you have felt a divine meaning emerge from your dreams. I continue to wonder about the messages delivered through slumber and wonder if you have had similiar experiences.