January 1988, the day of my Baptism, holds a very special place in my heart. Becoming a disciple at 48 years of age still amazes me. Only through the grace of God did I start my spiritual journey in midlife. As a child, I sought security, love and protection from my parents. Growing up in a household with two older sisters and sharing a bedroom in a 3 family house was not always pleasant. It seems my character building began 73 years ago. Coming from a divided religious household (my mother was Catholic and my father did not attend church), I was confused about spiritual things. For me church was a place to go on Sundays; Saturday was a day for “confession”. From my early years throughout much of my adult life (until the age of 48) there was always a questioning in my heart - “who is this Father I was supposed to honor and praise, and who would provide me with comfort and true security?”
The search for a spiritual home was an uphill battle for me. After 24 years of marriage I was divorced. I felt lost and put up a barrier around me so no one would get close. I had an “I’ll take care of myself” attitude. No one would tell me how to live my life. However, in my heart of hearts I was aching for meaning for my life.
On a beautiful, warm Saturday morning I took a walk around Walden Pond (in Concord, MA), crying out to God to show me His plan for my life. And he did, by putting caring, honest and faithful women in my path. My heartfelt desire was to have a safe haven and find peace in my soul.
What is God’s blueprint for my life?
Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
This scripture gave me pause. I wondered if this could be true. It seemed too good to be true. I was questioning God’s “blueprint” for my life. Fears of taking an unknown path in mid-life overwhelmed me. Today, as I share this with you, I walk with confidence, knowing my God is faithful and will carry me to the end. His blueprint for my life is better than any I could have drawn.
Searching out the corners of my heart where the spirit of Jesus resides, I need to refresh and restore this spirit-filled sanctuary. I want to allow Jesus’ light to shine even in the darkest corners. I will call these corners of my heart “my rooms”.
Will you join me in taking an inventory of your rooms?
Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
Come along with me as you read, and place the heart of Jesus before you as we fill our house with rooms of peace, love and security.
Throughout my years as a disciple I’ve embraced Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
A wellspring by definition is a “continuous, seemingly inexhaustible source or supply of something”.
What is the wellspring that refreshes our souls? As disciples we know it is God’s holy inexhaustible nourishment that feeds our souls. We must guard our hearts against unholy, unrighteous thoughts and behavior.
I have chosen four rooms as my focus. Each room or place in my heart is filled with Biblical principles that carry me through dark times and happy times. After walking through these rooms with me, you can create your own rooms where God resides. Let’s unlock the doors of our heart and let the light stream in.
The Prayer Room
A special place in my heart is my rest and recovery room, which I call the Prayer Room.
Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
I need help when I’m rushed by the busyness of life. I’m grateful God is patient with me. We all have our own place and time where we bring our hopes, dreams and anxieties to God. Our prayers for strength, faith, family, disciples, friends, countries, our world, the church and our thankfulness will be heard by God.
In this room I pray to never forget where I came from. I know this room needs my careful attention.
How often do you use your rest and recovery room, your prayer room? I must enter here before I can step into the next place in my heart.
Forgiveness Room
The next room in my heart is my cleansing room. This must be entered with a humble heart. I call this my forgiveness room. It can be pretty shabby and dark at times. When I talk carelessly or without kindness, when I don’t show respect to another; when I harbor resentments my room grows dark and unyielding to God’s spirit.
Going to Jesus and asking for his forgiveness is the only way I can bring light in to brighten the hidden corners of this room. I am continually amazed when I read of the sinful woman who poured the alabaster jar of precious perfume over the feet of Jesus. Weeping, she knew her sins needed to be forgiven. (Luke 7:36-50). She exemplifies to me a woman who was completely honest and courageous; one who was determined to make changes in her life and give it completely to Jesus. He saved her because of her humble heart and great faith. I must never forget why he gave his life for me, a sinner. God hears my prayers for forgiveness.
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
What fills your forgiveness room?
Mercy and Compassion Room
Join me as I enter my outreach room. It is called my Mercy and Compassion room. Giving to others, whether it be spiritual guidance, a phone call to encourage, a prayer or a listening ear shows the heart of Jesus. Jesus calls me to be His ambassador when I walk through my neighborhood or into a nursing home and see the loneliness and hopelessness around me. I must decide to make someone’s life brighter by listening and caring. Will I share Jesus’ words that bring comfort and hope?
Sometimes my physical body is not able to accomplish what it was able to do years ago. Yet God knows my heart and what he has planned for me. I’ve found throughout my walk as a disciple that there are many lonely women who are eager to hear a gentle word and receive a loving touch. These I can give.
How is your mercy and compassion room? Is it full or empty?
Praise Room
My fourth room, the praise room, is where I give thanks to the Lord for all his blessings. This room in my heart is a joyful one. It is decorated with songs. I love to play the piano with praise songs. I love to see and hug new babies; to see a new life in Christ; to hear young and old disciples share their victories after challenges; to listen to wise women (young and old) give incredible advice; to feel the embrace of a loved one. I love to pray with sisters; to give the best to God; to sacrifice with a joyful heart; to smell the fragrances of spring and autumn; to taste new and tried recipes. All these gifts, and many more, are all freely given to me by my faithful God.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Can God hear you in your praise room?
As you take an inventory of your rooms, have faith that you can restore and refresh your spiritual home as you strive to please God. These rooms can build a home that will never fade, or be destroyed. The light can forever stay on in these rooms when Jesus is there.
