Dreams Do Come True

When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. – Psalm 126:1-2 (NLT) 

The past twenty months of Covid quarantine and exile has been difficult, to say the least. The ability to connect physically and in-person with friends and loved ones is something that I will never again take for granted.  

My oldest brother passed with Covid complications last February. Aside from his passing, the hardest thing for our family was the inability to be together in person during his last critical hours. The ability to be physically together at that time would have done so much to comfort and heal our grieving family. 

More recently, with vaccinations and boosters on the rise (hopefully), my family and friends are beginning to emerge from our sequestered states and embrace each other again in person. 

At a recent cookout, I saw some friends I hadn’t seen in person since 2019. As we greeted and embraced, I found myself pausing to relish the joy of being back in physical contact with people I care about. In the words of the psalmist, “It was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.” 

These moments we relish remind us that—despite the ongoing pains of the pandemic—hope is still a primary motivator. We certainly have plenty of pressing issues to still be concerned about. But the simple joy of being present and in person with the people we love is like a dream that has come true for many. 

Prayer 
Lord, for the pleasure of physical touch, for the comfort of close-up compassion, for the power of in-person presence, we give you praise. Help us to savor every moment of these dreams come true. Amen. 

About the Author
Kenneth L. Samuel is Pastor of Victory for the World Church, Stone Mountain, Georgia.