It was July 27th, 2013 when I went to bed asking God to visit me in my dreams. To be honest, I was becoming frustrated with infertility and I wanted a vision that would give me a sign of where my life was going…something new about the promise of son I believed I heard from Him the year before. Or anything, really. As I started to doze off, I honestly believed with 100% certainty that when I awoke the next morning, I would have a vivid dream; one that would be significant and would recognize as important to the direction He was taking me. Therefore, after whispering to Him to please give me sweet dreams, I just knew within my heart that He would answer, and I was almost too excited about what He might share with me that it was hard to fall asleep.
The next morning came, and I opened up my eyes struggled to remember if I dreamed anything; anything at all. I remember my friend who is a doctor being in my dream. She talking to me about Kidneys, so maybe I should have my kidneys examined? Surely not, right? Trying to not worry (or google) if I kidney issues, I began to get ready for church. However, while I was getting “dolled up” a friend of mine sent me a text message asking which church service I would be attending. She went on to say that she had a crazy dream and she couldn’t wait to share with me. I never once thought how her dream might have been related to me asking God for a one. After all, she is notorious for being someone who has those random, off the wall dreams that she likes to share with me from time to time. Therefore,I just thought this was another one of those dreams. However, I never saw her at church that morning, but later in the day I ran into her at a birthday party. Anxious to hear her dream, I went up to her and said, “Let’s hear about this sweet dream of yours”.
She smiled, then said…
We were all in a big room (like a bounce house room) and there were TONS of kids running around, playing, screaming, and laughing and out of no where, a loud and deep voice said, “The 17th day is Josiah’s day”. (Cue me crying with huge alligator tears coming down my face!) She then continued to say that she woke up, but fell back asleep and had the exact same dream.
My friend has known about our sweet Poppa God telling me over a year ago that I would have a son, and to name him Josiah (see Our Story); but what she didn’t know was the significance the number 17 had in my life.
You see, the 17th is a day my husband and I recognize often because we “officially” began dating on January 17th, 2006. We also got married on August 17th, 2006. And I even found out that we were pregnant after fertility treatments on May 17th, 2012. Sadly, that baby never grew into my arms. Regardless, the number 17 is a very significant date in our household and my friend knew NOTHING of this; but God did. He knew.
As you can imagine, while at the birthday party I kept replaying what she had shared with me over and over in my head. I kept thinking, why didn’t I dream this? Why did she have this dream when I was the one who asked Him for it.
But that is when it hit me…
If I would have had this dream, then I would have second guessed whether it was from God. Our seven year anniversary (August 17th) was just right around the corner and my husband and I were talking just before bed about what we should do to celebrate; therefore, if God had given me this dream, I know within my heart I would have just attributed it that conversation. God knows I can have a doubtful mind and be too much of a skeptic.
I also believe He chose her, someone who knew nothing about the significance behind the number 17. If He had used someone else to convey His important message, someone who knew how important this number is in my life, then I don’t believe many people (including myself) would have attributed this sweet dream to anything else other than a coincidence. God’s ways are always perfect, and well thought out. I just love that about Him.
God’s ways are always perfect, and well thought out. This is why I smile every time I think about how He might continue to use this number in my life. He knows how much it already holds a special meaning within my heart, and I can’t stop thinking about how perfect and sweet it is of Him to continue to use it in the life of someone I can’t wait to hold someday. God is so precious, always ensuring even the smallest details that will bring me joy and keep me holding on to hope.
Numbers are significant in the Bible, and the #17 signifies “vanquishing the enemy” and “complete victory in Christ.”
I will never forget this dream that my friend had on that night, and you better believe every time I see the number 17 or it is the 17th day on the calendar, I am always looking for a miracle or special blessing from God. I don’t believe He would have sent this message if He didn’t already have a plan or purpose for it. This is why I am waiting with much anticipation, excitement, and hope to see how this number will play out in the life of my future baby bird.
I am praying that whoever reads this will have their own “sweet dreams” tonight.
I would love to connect with you on a personal level, so if you liked this post, pass it on. Then come find Waiting for Baby Bird on the public Facebook page or join me on Instagram @waitingforbabybird. I can’t wait to “meet” you!