SACRED SPACES

I am working out a theory: To enter into the deepest place of pain in others is to enter one of the most sacred spaces possible.

When someone trusts you so much as to allow you to look into the open wounds of their heart, it draws out of you a response of quietness, respect and gentleness. You recognize the need to tread softly, to be unhurried and to accept the mystery. And suddenly, you are aware that God is there.

Surely [God] took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows.
~ Isaiah 53:4 ~

HEALING THE WORLD

Even though I'm an 80's kid, I've never been a follower of Michael Jackson or his music. But something prompted me to log in to CNN to watch the public memorial service this morning. I caught the tail end of the extravaganza. What moved me most was that I was watching the impact that one artist had on the lives of millions of people.

I was affirmed in my belief that the arts has a powerful role to play in connecting to people's souls. The arts, be it music, dance, film, theatre or visual art, carry within them the potential to bring healing to the deepest parts of a person. Watching Usher sing "Gone Too Soon" was an example of how a song could communicate so much more deeply what was being felt.

Art gives the soul a voice and the vocabulary to express itself. In our busy, noisy lives today, the soul's voice is often lost, forgotten or even unwelcome. The arts provide a safe place for the soul to emerge.

I don't know what the Lord has in mind for me, but I know He made me an artist for a reason. My hope is that I would be able to honour Him with what I've got.

"I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired..."
~Psalm 77:5-6~

WHAT DO I OFFER HIM?

Last Sunday, Tim and I went to our church's evening service, which is a little more "off the beaten track" than the morning ones. As the offering baskets were going around, Tim and I couldn't help but smile when the basket that passed our hands contained the usual envelopes and one big shiny granny smith apple. What a concept! To offer God not only our money, but our other goods as well, right there in church.

"And everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting."

~Exodus 35:21~

A NONDESCRIPT YET SIGNIFICANT DAY

Today marks the one year anniversary of my move to Vancouver. Coming to a point of calling this "home" has been a slow one. But I think that out of all the places in the world that I have been, I'm happy that God brought me here to sink my roots. I still can't get over the fact that beautiful beaches, amazing mountains and the USA are all about a half hour drive away. And our apartment is now such a place of rest - and a mini art gallery to boot! The community God has surrounded me with here has been both a delight and a suprise. I've had to remind myself to be open to new friendships - God can work through new friends as much as He has worked through old friends in the past!

This morning, I imagined God as a gardener, carefully tending to His plants, picking off the brown parts, making sure the soil is moist enough and always, always, being ever-attentive to their growth. As I think about this past year and the incredible amount of progress I've had, I can see His smiling face, eyes twinkling, pleased with what He's done.

"...my Father is the gardener."

~ John 15:1b ~

AFRICAN CHICKEN

A friend I met recently told me this story about her time in Africa. I think it's an excellent illustration for what our attitude toward the Scriptures could aspire to. I know I'm not quite there yet but I'm discovering the value of sitting in a section of the Word and letting it soak. Ruminating, if you will.

Anyway, here's the story. Hope you enjoy it!

AFRICAN CHICKEN

During her time in Africa, Kim had a quest of sorts: to find tender chicken. Each time her helper would go to the market, she would come home with a chicken as requested. Kim would stick it in the pressure cooker, hoping that this time the meat would be softer. But to her dismay, conversation around the dinner table would trickle into silence as each person ended up concentrating on chewing, trying desperately to break down the meat enough to swallow.

After this happened several times, Kim asked her helper to please choose a young chicken the next time she went to the market. So the helper went as asked and brought back a younger animal. And Kim, not wanting to take any chances, made sure to pressure cooker the chicken extra long. So long, in fact, that the meat fell off the bones... in strings! Strings of meat that could have been played on a violin.

Perplexed, Kim spoke to her helper, trying to understand what was happening. As they talked, she realized "poulet," which she thought meant "chicken," actually meant something more like poultry in general. And in that part of the world, meat was so precious that if you were going to have it, it better last you a good long time in your mouth! A good piece of chicken should give you plenty of chew time so you could fully savour the flavour. A good piece of chicken, as it turned out, was a good piece of rooster!

Taste and see that the LORD is good!
~Psalm 34:8~

SOMETIMES I WISH I DIDN'T HAVE TO GROW

In general, I am glad when God points something out to me and reveals an area where I need to change. But sometimes, it feels like there are too many corrections in too short a span of time. It's moments like these when I wonder if I'm really accepted and I struggle to see His love.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
~ Hebrews 12:11 ~

EXPECTATIONS: TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW?

Mealtimes in our home often fill both our stomachs and our souls. Tim and I love having meaningful conversation over food. Last night was no exception.

As we talked, I got to thinking about how I often expect myself to get every little detail perfect or not to mess up anything small. I wondered out loud why I had such high expectations of myself.

After a brief pause, Tim said, "Too high? Or too low?"

I was puzzled. Too low?

He went on to explain himself. If I was aiming to get every little thing right, my expectations would be too high. But if I was aiming to achieve greater things, the small errors wouldn't mean as much. Concerning myself about the nitty-gritty when there were bigger things to focus on would be expecting too little.

How often I need to renew my vision!

But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

~ Psalm 3:3 ~