Once a long time ago my mom read a book to our family called Discovering How to Pray by Hope McDonald. In the chapter called "Find a Quiet Place" she describes a process where you create a place in your mind to which you can retreat to meet with God. It's a concept that caught my attention and has been with me for over 25 years now.
The room I created in my mind has evolved over time, but I'm constantly surprised that the things I imagined as a kid have held true over time.
My room is a stand-alone building in the middle of forever green rolling meadows. Regardless of the wind and rain that are a common theme in Oregon, I can close my eyes and find myself bathed in sunlight. Small pastel flowers are scattered in the grass and on the back side of the room stands a massive oak tree - except for the times when I'm feeling a bit down and the oak becomes a willow tree.
Walk with me inside.
The entire front of the room is leadded glass with grand french doors set in the center. The ceiling must be about 20 feet high - in any case it's high enough that I never feel it's presence at all. And, with a recent adaptation of the dining hall at Hogwarts, it reflects the bright and gentle light of God at all times.
To your right join me on the deep harth at waist height of the river rock fireplace that covers the entire wall. The rocks are guaranteed never to be uncomfortable. And if you feel the need to be completely comfy, grab one of the massive royal blue or kelly green pillows resting at each end of the hearth.
In the center of the room are two overstuffed chairs and a couch made from pine logs and fluffy off-white cushons. (In the 80's it was peach and gray - that's one of the things that's changed). Sit down and burry your feet in the exceedingly soft carpet at your feet. The color changes every time I'm there, but it's always soft and inviting. Honestly, I spend more time on the hearth than I do on the furniture.
The left wall is covered in cherry book cases. On them you'll find every book I've ever read which has sometimes kept me from reading things that aren't worth sharing with my God. In the middle of the book cases is a writing desk and a chair from my dining set - with the needlepoint seats that my grandmother made. It holds a brushed nickle desk lamp with a flared shade that matches the couch and a stack of parchment paper and my favorite pen. Somehow, despite the presence of technology in every aspect of my life, it's never present in this room.
Another addition to my room several years ago is a series of old-style library-style card catalog drawers. I read a piece somewhere a long time ago about God seeing every sin of a person's life written on a card and how Jesus comes by and forgives them and removes them from the drawer. It's something that resonated with me at the time and it's never left, though I don't get into them much any more.
The back wall of my room is a massive picture window that looks out on the oak/willow tree.
I hope this look inside my head helps you create a place for you where you can meet Jesus any time you need Him. More on that in the next post.
The room I created in my mind has evolved over time, but I'm constantly surprised that the things I imagined as a kid have held true over time.
My room is a stand-alone building in the middle of forever green rolling meadows. Regardless of the wind and rain that are a common theme in Oregon, I can close my eyes and find myself bathed in sunlight. Small pastel flowers are scattered in the grass and on the back side of the room stands a massive oak tree - except for the times when I'm feeling a bit down and the oak becomes a willow tree.
Walk with me inside.
The entire front of the room is leadded glass with grand french doors set in the center. The ceiling must be about 20 feet high - in any case it's high enough that I never feel it's presence at all. And, with a recent adaptation of the dining hall at Hogwarts, it reflects the bright and gentle light of God at all times.
To your right join me on the deep harth at waist height of the river rock fireplace that covers the entire wall. The rocks are guaranteed never to be uncomfortable. And if you feel the need to be completely comfy, grab one of the massive royal blue or kelly green pillows resting at each end of the hearth.
In the center of the room are two overstuffed chairs and a couch made from pine logs and fluffy off-white cushons. (In the 80's it was peach and gray - that's one of the things that's changed). Sit down and burry your feet in the exceedingly soft carpet at your feet. The color changes every time I'm there, but it's always soft and inviting. Honestly, I spend more time on the hearth than I do on the furniture.
The left wall is covered in cherry book cases. On them you'll find every book I've ever read which has sometimes kept me from reading things that aren't worth sharing with my God. In the middle of the book cases is a writing desk and a chair from my dining set - with the needlepoint seats that my grandmother made. It holds a brushed nickle desk lamp with a flared shade that matches the couch and a stack of parchment paper and my favorite pen. Somehow, despite the presence of technology in every aspect of my life, it's never present in this room.
Another addition to my room several years ago is a series of old-style library-style card catalog drawers. I read a piece somewhere a long time ago about God seeing every sin of a person's life written on a card and how Jesus comes by and forgives them and removes them from the drawer. It's something that resonated with me at the time and it's never left, though I don't get into them much any more.
The back wall of my room is a massive picture window that looks out on the oak/willow tree.
I hope this look inside my head helps you create a place for you where you can meet Jesus any time you need Him. More on that in the next post.
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