I got back Saturday afternoon from my little jaunt to the Paul Thorn concert. It was cold out so I just curled up and read, took a nap, and cooked pasta with vodka cream sauce for supper.

I went to church yesterday morning and the topic was…listening for God. Since that has been our topic lately, I’ll expound a little. Pastor Pam discussed the story of Blind Bart…Bartamaeus from the book of Mark. Bart had been blind since birth. He didn’t have a sign around his neck proclaiming his blindness. He didn’t shout or stop everyone passing by to tell them he couldn’t see. He didn’t complain. He just sat…quietly waiting till the day his keen senses picked up a great Man in his presence. At that, Bartamaeus stood and shouted to the Lord for mercy. The entourage tried to quiet him but Bart raised his voice calling for mercy until Jesus stopped and healed him. The other day, someone posted here that she couldn’t hear God over her fervent prayers. To which I might suggest being still and wait for God to come to you. God is polite and won’t interrupt our prayers. More often than not, we have to sit beside the road and listen for His footsteps. The disciples walking with Jesus thought they knew what they were doing by shushing old Bart, but sometimes those who think they have all the answers are the most blind.

I have been thinking a lot about that last statement. “Sometimes those who think they have all the answers are the most blind.” I’ve been riding on the “Downsizing Train” pretty heavy the last year. I have acted like I just discovered the cure for cancer and everyone needs to jump on with me and drink the Koolaid. A dear friend of mine called me on this and brought a different perspective. Sometimes women are forced to walk away from an unhealthy situation and leave everything behind. Economics can rob us of our possessions. I, myself, moved into tiny places after both of my divorces and I had very little. When something like that happens and you have to work your way back and earn every little thing in your home, they become precious reminders of strength, faith, survival, and hope. Downsizing and living tiny is not for everyone. Our paths are as myriad as the stars in the sky. My path has me clearing away what I feel clutters my life and makes it difficult for me to hear my heart beating. I honor your path as you honor mine. I didn’t “see” how my words might be affecting some so God spoke to me through my friend. “Be still…listen.” So, this is my prayer…”Lord, let me see.”

❤

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

Mark 10:51