Zoe Hatcher's Blog

I had a dream last night. (You ought to ask my husband, I do have crazy dreams...) It was so real, I could feel it. I dreamt my family was attacked and only I made it out alive and was sold into slavery. I had many different cruel masters. I worked in the fields. I was sold as a sex slave. I was a slave at a governor's house. I was a slave in a print shop. In each place, I was beaten and there was not much of my spirit left. Finally, I was on the run with a band of slaves trying to gain their freedom. I had done this before only to be caught, beaten and sold to another cruel master. We saw some people coming. We ran into a large building and hid under some chairs. The people came in and started looking under the chairs. They found the others one by one. But they passed me over. I was so afraid. But the ones they found, they weren't screaming or running. It was acutally fairly quiet. Suddenly, the lights came on. I shrank back and put my hands over my face just like a child, hoping they wouldn't see me. I heard someone calling my name. I kept thinking, "Shhh, they'll find me." But they kept saying, "It's alright now, come on out." So tenatively, I crawled out of hiding. I stood and looked around. I was amazed. There were all my friends smiling. They brought me to a chair near the front and lavished me with gifts. I was still shocked and didn't quite know what to think. Then everyone got quiet. In a side door walked my husband. I thought he was long gone. I didn't move, I thought he was a mirage. He was smiling, and said, "It's alright now, it's over. You're free!" He had somehow escaped death and bought me back. My last and final master. I looked down and gathered around me were my children, healthy and happy. He had protected them. And I started sobbing. Remembering how awful it was, what I had been through, and now it was over. Really over. And not only that, but now here I was, with my friends, my children and my wonderful husband who saved me. Then I woke up. And as always, it takes me a minute to convince myself that it was a dream. I was safe in my bed and it didn't happen. Then it hit me, it was true. I was a slave, cowering, hiding. I had One who loves me, who I was separated from, come for me. And buy me back. I wonder if that's what Heaven will be like. Briefly remembering the pain that I left, and then the joy in seeing my Savior's face. Knowing that it's over. It's done, and I'm free. Gathered around me are the saints and my children in the faith. And just sobbing, laying all the gifts and my tears down to Him. Because I know I don't deserve it. I chose that slavery. I sold myself, and I stayed for a time because I liked it. But when I tried to run away, I was captured again and again. I needed a Savior. And He came.