On Fridays a bunch of brave writers gather here to all spend 5 collective minutes writing on a single prompt. It’s a great way to catch your breath at the end of a long week. This blessed, beautiful place where we open our hearts and let words and tears and the inner workings of our lives bleed and flow and dance across the virtual pages. Yes, this community opens wide and invites you in to share. Come and visit and read. You will be blessed.This week: Open
Go
Despite the challenges of the day, part of me is still sitting quietly in last night’s Ash Wednesday service. The candles flicker their soft glow against the stained glass windows darkened with dusk. Our names are read one by one. With reverence – as they and the transgressions we confess are laid before the throne of grace and consumed in the intensity of the fire. Flames dance off the hammered copper bowl. Burnt paper and a slight hint of incense perfumes the air.
I love the purity of the fire.
I am astonished at how much this moves me.
It always moves me, but tonight is different.
Is this, Lord, what it feels like to bend low and allow my heart to break with the things that break yours?
I wonder if I am seeing anew. Hearing anew. Taking that brave risk into vulnerability to believe and choose and step into sacrifice. Lord, let me be open to all those things.
Let my eyes be opened to see you fully. May I see the needs in the world around me and respond with the compassion that flows from your heart. Let me see even the little things – the ones that seem slight, trivial, not worth a mention. Sometimes it is the little things.
Let my ears be open to hear your Word. Your Word and the words of others who seek you. As I come with deliberate intention into this time of meditation. Let me hear.
Most of all, let my heart be open. Let the hard walls I keep wrapped around me soften in the warmth of your love. Allow me to let the floodgates open. Allow me to blow open the windows of my heart to receive the fresh air of your spirit.
Lord, let me be open.
Stop
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Beautiful, Rebekah. I've never participated in an Ash Wednesday service, or even Lent for that matter. Your words paint a beautiful picture of a holy time of reflection--something I fear I don't do enough of.
ReplyDeleteYou know, it's not something I grew up with Anita, but I joined a liturgical church in my early 20s and really grew to love the seasons on the church. I've found the whole Lenten celebration to be such a good time of drawing near. Thank you for visiting here friend.
DeleteAnd mine, let my heart and eyes and ears be open. Gorgeous words, friend.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be praying this together then - yes! All the way to the hallelujahs of Easter.
DeleteAmen, my friend! Let it be so! xoxo
ReplyDelete"Taking that brave risk into vulnerability to believe and choose and step into sacrifice. Lord, let me be open to all those things."
ReplyDeleteAmen!
Thank you
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I loved this words right here: "Allow me to blow open the windows of my heart to receive the fresh air of your spirit." Praying we all are strengthened by God's spirit to allow the fresh air of Him to enter into our hearts daily. I sure loved talking to you at the Twitter party. Have a blessed weekend!
ReplyDeleteAmen and Amen !!! In the last year or so I have learned (slowly - very slowly) that if I pray for Him to open my eyes, ears, and hearts He will. Love you and your heart my sweet friend !!!!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what it is that I expected for so many years...perhaps nothing. But once I unleashed prayers of asking God to "open" me to such things I was floored. Literally blown back by what He delivered in my life. There is a sadness that still comes over me at times...thinking about the years lost. The years of being so locked and closed that I couldn't feel His warmth. Didn't know His love. Certainly didn't trust...
ReplyDelete"Allow me to blow open the windows of my heart to receive the fresh air of your spirit." Yes! Might I steal this for my own prayers? Because this is spot on with just how I feel.
Beautiful words, Rebekah. So glad that I'm getting a chance to know your wonderful heart.
Yes! That's the cry of my heart too, Rebekah...to be open to all that He is doing. I pray we will all be willing to be open.
ReplyDelete