A duppy dog spoke to me

Dear Pastor,

I want to start by saying that I am a sane and ambitious young man who is aiming to be an architect.

Regardless of what people might say, my experiences are mine alone, and I seek only your insight, Pastor. I love education, but some things we see in life cannot be explained by ordinary books. I often have very special and unusual dreams, and this has been happening since I was a child. Some of them have later come to pass in ways that surprised me. Because of that,I take my dreams seriously and try to reflect on their meanings. I felt it would be wise to seek spiritual guidance.

For example, when I was in grade six, before doing my GSAT exams, I envisioned myself sitting in a packed Coaster bus travelling to high school, even though at the time I did not yet know which high school I would attend or which means of transportation I would use. In high school, I also repeatedly dreamt that I was travelling at night from Black River in a taxi. Later in my early 20s, when I began attending HEART/NSTA Trust for evening classes, I found myself regularly travelling at night in taxis - just like I saw in those dreams.

Last night, I had another dream that left me puzzled. I was walking along a path feeling normal, when I looked up and saw many unusual things happening in the sky. Suddenly, a force lifted me and I flew into space. At one point, I was swallowed by a fish that was larger than the Earth itself. It later spat me out, and I moved across what seemed like different planets before returning to Earth. Throughout the entire experience, I felt no fear. Instead, it felt like I was being shown something or taken on a journey. Another dream from last year involved me standing in front of a very blue lake with my father. Two crocodiles emerged at different times. The first one chased my father, but he ran toward a nearby lane where people helped him slay it. Later, another crocodile appeared and seemed to be trying to enter our house. Neither crocodile was after me.

At times, I feel there are deeper truths about this world that we do not fully understand, which is why I take these experiences seriously. I have also had experiences in real life that I struggle to explain. I understand that such things can be difficult to believe, but I am sharing them sincerely and would value your spiritual perspective.

I didn't want to share this, but one time in grade eight, something happened that I will never forget. I was preparing to head to a grocery store, walking from home toward the road, when I saw what I believe to be a duppy in the form of a dog. I even heard it speak, and then it ran off. By what it said, it seemed shocked that I had been able to see it. My mother saw and heard the event as well, as she was behind me. I didn't want to share this before because it might sound unbelievable, but I have seen things I could not have imagined if I had not experienced them.

Pastor, I would want you not to worry. I am not someone who believes in 'mada' or 'reader man', nor am I particularly religious. But, based on some of my dreams and life experiences, I do consider going to church sometimes to learn and be around good people. I would truly appreciate any guidance, biblical insight, or prayers you could offer regarding these dreams and experiences.

Thank you for your time.

N.S.

Dear N.S.,

My friend, what you are asking me to do, is to interpret your dreams. You are taking me right back into the classroom where we had to study what psychologists, particularly Sigmund Freud, say on dreams.

Everybody has experienced different dreams. Some are hilarious and should not be taken seriously at all. You believe that you are being spoken to in a miraculous way. I think you should laugh at some of these dreams. On the other hand, if you believe that God Almighty wants to teach you something from these dreams, then you should ask the good Lord to give you the interpretation of the dreams.

It sounds ridiculous for me to accept that you saw a duppy in the form of a dog and that it spoke. If you believe these things, you are setting up yourself to go crazy. I am not being disrespectful to you. I am just trying to tell you that dreams are not to be taken seriously; surely not in our epoch.

In the Old Testament, God spoke to men and women through dreams, but he no longer does so, according to the Bible. I am glad that you are attending church. Perhaps you should raise this topic with the pastor of your church and get his understanding of dreams.

Pastor