Sacred Space the Key to Being Original

When I was in grade school, we were encouraged to make a space in our homes for Jesus.  "A prayer corner; the best being in a closet." That may be a common element of Catholic School education, it seemed that some teachers, religious or lay, were better at communicating this necessity than others.  When Dave and I were first married, Dave took the first 4 days of our married life to put paneling on a prayer ROOM.  It soon became a room to house all the baby things, but we always had a space to pray.

Over the years the "prayer corner" has disappeared, we just used the space we had available. A chair near the door, one near the fireplace, and now in our bedroom. The idea of "Sacred Space" has expanded.

Three weeks after our wedding, my mother died.  Several months later, I had inherited the mess of her collection of things in her home.  Some useful: washer and dryer, some not, all her business suits, sizes 8-12. It took me a while to figure out that I needed to make a trip to St. Vincents and just unload. 

After Clara was born, 1991, I decided my housekeeping really needed a savior.  I found that savior in Sandra Felton.  She authored several books that spoke to the messy interior that was me.  Then I had a friend that kept an immaculate house.  I was inspired to create a Sacred Space, and over the years I have expanded on that space. 

When our lives are in a constant stream of stimulation we have no time to rejuvenate. Rejuvenation is so important, God gave us a commandment about it built into our week that counts the passing of time. We need to take time...... we get to make the space, or better said, 'respect the time and space given to us!'


This space was inspired by a friend who was "Practically Perfect 24/7"

Sometimes it is easiest to start with the external life, making order on the outside so that one may want to go inside. And other times, the internal has to be cared for and collected so that we can work with what we have on the outside, and sometimes God graces us with the motivation to do the every day.... while we visit inside.  But always, it is God's love and Grace that aids us in our knowing where we are and where He wants us to be with Him.  Maintaining, building, speaking or listening or being still.  

The internal Sacred Space takes a lot of courage to maintain. People, things, events, all call attention away from the quiet. Calling attention away from what is right in front of my face, what God has purposed me for from all eternity. When I maintain Sacred Space in my environment, as well as my mind and heart, it is possible to hear appreciatively the purpose God has given for me in the time and space He has placed me in.  No one else has been given the task that was gifted to me.  Even if it is to do the dishes, that job is mine and I can be with God inside while I do those dishes. This purpose is original, unique and God needs me.  How can I say "no"?  My "no" comes from comparative thinking, curious looking about into the wider world formation field of presence; simply put, obsessing over a news periodical or a  FaceBook obsession.  ACTUALLY, there is a distraction in EVERY field of Formation. Every person is his own formation field and every person caries with him/her spheres and dimensions and ranges within that field.  I have got to get a handle on reverencing what God has created in me so that I can see when I am out of order in any of those fields and dimensions.   The internal question for the rest of this week of everyday is, "What is the distraction of this moment Lord? is it an internal coercive worry, is it an global cause or concern, is it a situational event I have no control over?  Have I accepted my life as it is at this moment? Can I just love what is right here, right now, caring and reverencing You Jesus in the everyday things of my life, events you have allowed and the people who you have gifted me with? 

Ultimately I don't want to be so unfocused that I can't answer His promptings with a joyful "Yes."  Understanding that to say 'yes' to Jesus and His unique plan for me, may be a 'no' to the popular pulsations, or a vital interest; 'just one more cup of coffee', or even a functional job I think should be mine but belongs to someone else in the family.  Hearing God seems so complicated. Yet... all he requires is that we want to hear Him.  He will answer all the other questions for me when I ask.