When I took violin lessons I learned more about life than I did about the violin. My teacher said that I must learn to focus, concentrate, and relax, simultaneously. I argued that concentrating and relaxing were mutually exclusive. She answered, “Nevertheless, you must achieve this, or you will never play the violin.” As she was an accomplished violinist I had to believe her, and so I launched myself on a program of self discipline that I hoped would achieve my goal of successfully playing the instrument.

What I really learned was that many, maybe most of the limits we place on ourselves are truly artificial.

“My Father’s house has many rooms. . . (John 14:2). In the same way our souls have many rooms. We’re only dimly aware of the contents of those rooms until we undertake something new. Then we learn of some of our own weaknesses, selfishness and strengths. When we open those rooms to the One who also has many rooms, and who loves us more even than we love ourselves, the parameters of the limits we place on ourselves are shifted, and we grow.

St. Paul wrote, “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love”

(1 Corinthians 13:12&13) Three of the rooms that exist in all Christians are these three. During Lent we can visit each room and witness the shrunken parts and be forgiven for the withered, dusty rooms that we have neglected, knowing as we do, that the light and fresh air of Easter lay ahead of us.

Our Father also allows us to see the flashes of grace in each room, and recognize that He has been present in our rooms of faith, hope, and love. Our time to to stay in the wilderness of Lent is shorter and shorter. Now is the time to visit the many rooms of our inner lives and prepare for the expansion and light of Easter.

Love in Him,

Prue