Talking Back: Marking Out Temples
Contemplation means to 'mark out a temple.' Chapter 3 in God in the Yard is an invitation to begin that marking. The word also means 'putting together.'
What shall I mark out? What shall I put together?
There are times in life when I really don't know the next thing. I don't know what pencil to pick up, where to start drawing the hopeful lines that will hem me in to a place where I will find my 'putting together' moments.
I wish it was as simple as relying on the old standbys. Read the bible. Go to church. It is not that simple. Sometimes we are more like the Israelites following wordless cloud and fire to where we're supposed to pitch our tent, where we're to pull out gold rings and acacia poles... and hang the thick, sweet walls of the tabernacle. Sometimes we are Elijah just standing in the sheer silence, waiting.
As nerve-wracking as this is, there is some comfort in it. After all, these days I don't want to think and plan and try to make things perfect. I just want to BE. I just want to wake up and make tea, look out the window at the next new snow, and BE.
Is it okay to mark out a place of just-BEing? I would like that. I would.
Can I just-BE a little I am, in the heart of the Great I AM? I would like to simply rest there. I would.
"But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother..." (Ps.131:2)
Fire and Cloud pastel, by L.L. Barkat.
Labels: contemplation, God in the Yard, spiritual practice
posted by L.L. Barkat at
8:00 AM
7 Comments:
This really speaks to me this morning. "I don't want to think and plan and try to make things perfect. I just want to BE." The verse with your words jump to life since I am hanging out with my daughter and new grandson for a few days. Thanks!
(Oh, I like your artwork as well as your artwords!)
I'm glad you found your pastels, and are getting to use them. Your pastel drawings are bright and airy and cheerful. I found mine the other day, for the first time in many years, and hope I'll get to use them.
I like to just "be", as well. We are human beings, not human doings. But there's so much daily life to intervene, things that have to be done. Even working on art or many other kinds of play, uses up energy. But I've had some days where I did little more than drift. They've been so necessary to my rest. I'm glad you've found some times of rest and even some activities that bring you rest.
This was just where I was/am today...for me, kids and house a mess but resting and BEing...not feeling 100% b/c of being sick took away my resistance...but I really don't need that to just BE...
loved this. thank you:)
Hmmm, the comment above was supposed to be from kingfisher. Somehow I got to be anonymous.
I enjoy you best when you come out from behind the veil. Like in this post, for instance.
I don't think it was ever simple--even when we relied on the old standbys. We were restless then, too--but weren't quite so in tune--so we didn't recognize our waywardness. I'm of the opinion the restlessness so many feel these days is God prodding us. Yes, He's prodding us to be, to enter into His rest. But He's also prodding us--causing the restlessness--because He is drawing us into something new. I pray to handle the tension better. Most of all, I pray I'll want to pray more. Want to walk with Him in ways that I would have considered off-balance years ago.
That painting is amazing. And your words are inspired just the same.
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