I began this column sitting at my computer staring at a blank page. After more than 21 years of authoring this column, this is only the second time that I remember experiencing writer’s block. That’s not to say that a few ideas didn’t cross my mind, but they were dismissed almost as soon as they broke through the fog.
And so, I did what I usually do when all else fails; I sat in my prayer chair and asked for divine inspiration. The fact that it took a blank page to move me to prayer is a stark reminder that I have a long way to go in putting into practice what I know I should have done in the first place.
Once seated in my chair, I immediately became aware of the ticking of the clock located on the wall above me. The clock had been given to my father when he retired after more than 60 years of service at the same company and serves as a reminder that he is with me even after his death.
As I sat and listened to the steady rhythm of the pendulum, an article that appeared decades ago in a home decorating journal came to mind. According to the author, every room should have at least one of three items: a clock (the ticking kind not a digital time piece), a plant and a mirror.
Those items have often come to mind, especially while settling into a new home after one of our many moves. While I don’t remember the rationale behind the author’s premise, I’ve come up with my own theory about the importance of keeping those objects in view.
The ticking of a clock is a reminder that life is passing, that every second counts and that time is too precious a commodity to waste. That doesn’t mean we have to be a constant bevy of activity, but that we can consecrate the hours by lifting our heart and mind to God anytime, anywhere as an act of gratitude to God who is timeless.
The presence of a plant offers a living testimony to the fact that every life is dependent upon something beyond itself. In order to survive and thrive, every plant requires soil, water and sunlight. Without these elements, it will quickly shrivel and die, and so it is with every person.
We depend on others for food and security, for knowledge and inspiration, but most of all we depend on God for light and love to maintain growth, even during times of drought or neglect, such as I exhibited when I needed a blank page before turning to God. That brings me to the purpose for a mirror.
Looking into a mirror reminds me that what I see is only an external representation of who I am and not my truest identity. The face I saw five, 20, 50 or more years ago has changed significantly, but so has my understanding of who I am. As a child of God, I am so much more than what I do, how I look or how others view me.
Everything we do and possess is a gift and the best way to show our gratitude for gifts received is to use them and share them. It’s the way each of us is called to love one another and as John of the Cross wisely counseled: “In the end, we will be judged by the way we love.”
To the original list, I would add a scented candle. Every morning when I begin my prayer time, I light a candle, filling the room with a glow that only God can bring to the early hours of the morning, reminding me that Christ is present even when only darkness surrounds us.
Under the heat of the flame, the wax softens and melts ever so slowly until at last, the candle loses its original form, eventually dissipating altogether. Much like our physical bodies that begin to wrinkle and sag over the years, that need not be the condition of our soul. For just as the scent of the candle lingers, so do the effects of prayer, silently transforming hearts and minds as grace secretly draws souls to become one with God.
Despite the presence of evil in the world, there is much more to remind us of God. So, rather than allowing evil to dishearten you, make time to rediscover the beauty that surrounds you. Then, let it speak to you and it will surely fill your heart with gladness.