I 'published' my last entry on my other blog, Jill's Journey, a while back. I have found out that there is another blog by that name that is actually well liked, so I thought I would change the title of my blog. I also thought that the old title was a little self-focused and too alliterative!! A little too 'contrived'.
Somehow the phrase 'A Place to Breathe' popped into my head. I think that we all long for a place where we can breathe. Breathe deeply and be at rest. I space where we can just BE. Be ourselves. A place where we are accepted no matter what we may share, no matter how much energy we may have or not, no matter what is going on in our lives and how far afield it may be taking us.
Many of us may have found small spaces where we can breathe and have some respite, but not abundance. Not a large, lavish place of grace where we can melt and rest. I have glimpses and tastes, but not abundance. But I do believe that it is possible. But I know that it will not at all look like we expect it to.
Scripture is too full of paradox and teaching that is upside down to what we normally think and believe to think that our lives will look like we think they will. That he will work in our lives in any particular way. Jesus never did a miracle in the same way so why do we think that he will work in our lives according to any particular pattern? He cannot be put in a box. Why do we keep trying?
I was reminded recently of those lines from The Chronicles of Narnia:
Wrong will be right when Aslan comes in sight.
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more.
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death.
And when he shakes his mane, we will have spring again.
So I hope that this can be a place where we wrestle with all that. Where we can be real and not have to be 'cleaned up'. Where we can draw near and trust what Abba is working in each one of us.