Monday, March 21, 2005

Surprises and Celebration

This has been a weekend of celebration as Dottie celebrated her 50th birthday with friends and family at Linwood. She had no idea her husband and family had planned this party for her. Hearing the laughter, the gasps of surprise one was delightful. They relaxed, played games, filled the house with music and danced together. On Sunday morning Rob began the sharing thoughts on “safe places for the heart” and how that fits with his wife and family.

We then shared a bit of who and what Linwood House Ministries is. It is a place of safety for the heart and for telling of “story”. We each have a story and God writes that story with us. Therefore when they began to share some of their own stories together, this safe place of Linwood House was once again validated.

At the same time as Rob and Dottie were celebrating here, three other women were also here, walking the tough road that withdrawal from addictions calls for. Our friend that we have met through The Journey is so courageous but the battle she faces in her walk to freedom will demand everything she has. Leaving addictions behind is a vicious battle and we are praying for her and Jen and Sue who are walking with her in these days.

It’s now Monday and the heaps of laundry are being worked on, the cappuccino machine is being fixed, there is cleaning to be done and we begin the process of getting the house in order again for those who will arrive this weekend.

Often people refer to this place as a Bed and Breakfast, which is really isn’t. Yes we do have people come and stay for retreats but there is so much more. We are called to be a safe place and hold this as holy ground for the telling of our sacred stories. Another piece that isn’t verbalized enough is that this is a place for change. Jesus had breakfast on the beach after His resurrection and He called them to change. Every encounter we have with Jesus is meant to change us; to whatever degree we embrace that change or are conscious of it. The Ruach, the wind of the Spirit blows here just as tangibly as of the wind outside.

Outside the sun is shining, which is a change for the torrential rain yesterday. In the mundane chores of “Monday cleaning” we ask for the courage to allow the Spirit to continue to change us. I pray that change will come for each one that encountered God this weekend, whether they were celebrating or wrestling.

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