standing on new ground

Remember the old ugly?  

I have lived with a floor I hate 

since moving into this house eleven years ago.  

It still covers the hall and the kitchen/dining room,

but in those areas there isn't water damage underneath.  

How much is hidden beneath ours foundations that is rotted and soiled?

When we know something is wrong but are afraid to look the damage increases.

It was time.  We stripped the old away.

It was bad, but nothing that couldn't be dealt with.

Yes, our imaginations magnify.

So I ask Lord, search me.

Show me the wrinkles and spots.

Let me see so I can let You change me.

Investigate my life, O God,

    find out everything about me;

Cross-examine and test me,

    get a clear picture of what I’m about;

See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—

    then guide me on the road to eternal life.

Psalm 139:23-24 The Message

This is what the floor looks like at the moment.

The wire for the under tile heat is in place

and leveling cement has been poured

to prep for the laying of ceramic tile

There are spots from dry wall mud

yet it feels clean, fresh

a picture of where I am

standing on new ground

waiting to take the next step

 

the hidden life

If indeed the spiritual life is essentially a hidden life, 

how do we protect this hiddenness in the midst of a very public life?   

The two most important ways to protect our hiddenness are solitude and poverty.  

Solitude allows us to be alone with God.  

There we experience that we belong not to people, 

not even to those who love us and care for us, but to God and God alone.  

Poverty is where we experience our own and other people's weakness, 

limitations, and need for support.  

To be poor is to be without success, without fame, and without power.  

But there God chooses to show us God's love.

Both solitude and poverty protect the hiddenness of our lives.

Henri Nowen

in the hiding and abiding place with Sandy