Yesterday afternoon during my writing class at Rice University our teacher sent us each out of the classroom into the hallways to search the artistic photographs on the walls and find one which spoke to us.  Then, she says, ” Write about whatever comes to your mind.”  I wandered out of the box into the outdoors, to find my own artistic expression apart from the walled-in space. Here is what appeared…

The sculpture which grabs my attention is a blob.  It is located outside which calls me toward it, a sense of freedom, being out in the open air.  The blob makes me curious.  Perhaps it’s not so much what it is, as what it is not.  There is an intriguing design about it, within it, which makes me want to create something.  I want to draw it.  I want to find the designs which are present in the lines of the fabric folded, embracing and encompassing whatever is held within.

Blob drew me closer so I could see, find more.  Each side of  this circular globe reveals a different perspective.  As I adjust the camera’s eye, there are endless  views and viewpoints, round and round.

Peeking within one fold of the fabric, where it is not quite meeting, I detect nothing but dark space inside.  Yet, space is not absence, it is presence…a fullness free of clutter, something unseen that is fully present. I like space.  Actually I love space!  I need space in my life!  It feels freeing, inviting, mysteriously ready to reveal something not yet realized.

I want to see more of the inner darkness.  I can’t crawl in!   “Would you if you could?”  Smiling,  I think so.  It feels playful…like a secret hiding place, a tree house, a nest.  Something the child in me would do.

As I get closer I detect that the fabric is well worn denim.  At the top of Blob can be found the features of a very large denim shirt.  There is a collar, a sleeve, buttons.  It seems someone had wrapped their arms around Blob, around the globe.  Within that wondrous wrapping is a huge heart embracing emptiness, or fullness, or both. Amazing grace!

As I reflect upon this experience, it is now the dawn of yesterday’s tomorrow.  Today is Ash Wednesday.  We begin the journey called Lent.  What is this journey ?  I suppose it can be and will be about anything God chooses to give each one of us along the way to resurrection.  We walk forward with expectation. What is important I think, is our openness to the space God provides in our lives to allow us room to grow.

I want to attempt to be open to space where the fullness of God can find me, reach my emptiness in the absence of clutter.  In some sense, I want my life to be shaped like ole Blob, an artistic creation formed by the poured out denim worn by the man called Jesus, who was a God-send!

nk

Pondering…

How might we find space during this journey?

Ah, there is a beautiful Redbird just outside my window right now!