Her Dream

She put her foot on the brake and slowed the car down. Her mouth opened in awe at the sight. "Look, Robin, isn't that beautiful?" she said to her husband as she peered through the window at the big old Victorian building.
It was beautiful, too, especially the turret and the huge porch with all the ornate filigree. Mary's eyes gazed upon the dusty rose and teal green accent colours of this wonderful old house. She could see, even from this distance, that there were many different stained glass windows on both floors. The big front window with all its detail framed the words "Setterington's Gifts". Mary got even more excited. "You think we could stop and go in, Robin?", she asked her husband. Of course he said yes even though they weren't on a sightseeing tour. They were on their way to a fabric store to find some upholstery for a neat little chair that needed a fresh look. They just "happened" to end up on this road because the fabric shop was on a "one way" street.
Mary slowed her car and pulled into the parking lot adjacent to the old house. Though her husband was with her Mary felt quite alone and lost in the ecstasy of the moment of finding such a treasure.
Inside Mary was not disappointed at what she found. The old dark wood stair case, the antique marble fireplace, and the 18th century scroll work that bedazzled each room was accented by pretty tiny rose patterned wallpaper, beautiful multi-coloured stain glass windows, and ceilings that seemed to reach 10 feet high! Oh what a delight.
The owner had managed to fill her space with many, many beautiful art pieces of childish wonder, old Maud Humphrey cards and the like, as well as angels of all shapes and sizes to fit in large as well as small spaces. Words could not describe the wonder of the place. It was sheer heaven to Mary.
She began to talk to the owner who had moved here from Chicago and redecorated the old house a few years ago. Would you believe: it had been a steak house! Mary and the owner shared stories about shopping excursions they had both been on to fill this space. You see Mary had once owned a store in Toronto. It was such a wonderful memory and time for Mary. She still had a warm spot for this business.
The store owner asked Mary if she ever thought of opening a business again. Mary answered that she had and was thinking of an antique shop or second hand shop.
It was a good conversation during which Mary encouraged the woman to keep the faith and wait because things would improve. The woman needed this boost as business was slow. It was bound to be as she was only open for two years. Before leaving Mary purchased a little Christmas tree angel more as gesture to bless the woman than anything else.
Outside Mary shared her enthusiasm with Robin. "Wouldn't that be wonderful to own? Wow!" Mary was excited, too, because the woman had indicated that she had the upstairs rented out with counselling offices! How funny was that? Mary did counselling.
Suddenly, it came back to her: Mary's old dream. It was a dream she had buried away deep inside. It was a retreat or resource center that would help restore people, rejuvenate them and give them a place to escape from their troubles. Her center included one area for a chapel, some counselling offices, and even classrooms for instruction to feed the spirit. Another area would contain delicious foods and great coffees and desserts to feed the soul. Further, there would be a wonderful big gift shop with every imaginable delight to mesmerize and make one forget any problem they faced. Further there would be beautifully decorated sleeping quarters all decked out in the Victorian period. Here one one could rest and heal their bodies.

Mary smiled to herself and reminded her husband of this sleeping giant. It was still as big as life within her and seeing this store today awakened it in her.
Mary smiled to herself how God had answered her prayer so quickly from the day before.
Mary had surrendered her ideas of what she thought she should be doing and given it over to God and asked for his view on her life. A warm deep sense of God's love and presence engulfed Mary. Perhaps, Mary thought to herself, this dream was already beginning to take root. She did have a counselling office in her house. She was painting her pretty stained glass windows in the sun room. As well, she was learning to cook for 50 people the Mission where she volunteered. Her heart was just waiting for the right moment and money to come along to start a second hand business.
The house seemed too small to Mary to live in as well as establish the big business she foresaw but perhaps one day she and Robin might find another abode to live in. Perhaps one day this home they lived in now would be delegated to housing only her dream. "Perhaps" - what a wonderful word! It oozed hope and possibilities. It blossomed with the flower of her dreams!
Mary's eyes filled up with tears and her heart squeezed tight with love and enthusiasm. God had answered her prayer with this reminder of an old dream. Was it possible this could be, would be, someday? Mary smiled and reminded herself, "All things are possible with God".