black and white keys

I stopped by my cousins’ house the other day. There was a note on their door that said, “no visitors, let US call YOU”. The sign caught me off guard because their house is always open and hopping with life and energy as the 7 of them do life together under one roof. I love visiting because it’s always full of laughter and great conversations.  But apparently they were NOT about fun and hanging out this particular afternoon. I immediately sent a text to my cousin and asked why the rude note was on the door. I wondered why they couldn’t just lock the door and not answer if people stopped by. My cousin went on to explain that they were all just tired, and needed some quiet time. The note was on the door because the neighbor kids come over and ring the doorbell until someone answers. It’s as if the neighbor kids are sitting at home, waiting for my cousins to return from the day so they can have somewhere to go play. I had no idea that this was the situation and just thought my cousins were being crabby. But after I got over my let down, I was glad to hear that they got some down time as a family.

Not many people know, but I LOVE to play the piano. I have played since I was a kid, and although I can’t read music, I play by ear. It has become an amazing tool that I use to process my life. I just sit down and play my mood. That concept seems so strange, but I stop thinking about playing the piano, and start thinking about the happenings of my life. I even get uncomfortable when people “listen in” because I almost feel like they are somehow reading my thoughts. The other night I played for 3 hours. I couldn’t sleep and my roommates were gone, so I played my busy mind to sleep from 11pm to 1am. I hope there are pianos in heaven.

Last year my mom gave me a book with little stories to read each day. The book is “Come Away My Beloved”. I smiled and accepted it, but I haven’t really read any of it. I thought it would be good bathroom reading, but I don’t have a basket of reading material in my bathroom. That’s actually sort of gross when you stop and think about it…anyway, I read the first entry from the book today while at a Starbucks. It is called The Call of Love. It reads…

O My beloved, abide under the shelter of the lattice, for I have betrothed you to Myself, and though you are sometimes indifferent toward Me, My love for you is at all times as a flame of fire. My ardor never cools. My longing for your love and affection is deep and constant.

Tarry not for an opportunity to have more time to be alone with Me. Take it, though you leave the tasks at hand. Nothing will suffer. Things are of less importance than you think. Our time together is like a garden full of flowers, whereas the time you give to the things is as a field full of stubble.

I love you, and if you can always, as it were, feel My pulse beat, you will receive insight that will give you sustaining strength. I bore your sins and I wish to carry your burdens. You may take the gift of a light and merry heart, for My love dispels all fear and is a cure for every ill. Lay your head upon My breast, and lose yourself in Me. You will experience resurrection life and peace; the joy of the Lord will become your strength; and wells of salvation will be opened within you.

I think the writer; Frances J. Roberts is trying to help the reader grasp the way that God feels about them. He takes some liberties to expand upon the character of a loving and forgiving God who wants to restore us to our best. It’s like love letters. I like to think of it as his blog.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the satisfaction that comes from studying and writing a blog. It’s the same feeling that I get when I play the piano. It’s time to intentionally  process life and connect with God. Just like my cousin’s family, I’ve had to put up a sign on the door that says, “I’ll call you”. It’s a strange thing to do as my personality craves the connection with others. But my character needs the time with God. My soul needs the time to reflect, to listen, and to connect. This time is so important. There will always be people in my life who will ring my doorbell until I answer. They need to see the door sign that draws a healthy boundary. I need that sign.

So join me in hanging the  “Do not disturb” sign on your door. Just add ,“our time together will be better after…I Promise”.

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