What Color is Your House?

It's a cold, snowy day in Iowa. I looked out my window this morning onto a world of grey and white...early winter had arrived. To lighten my spirits, I decided to blog about colorful Collioure at Musings from Red Bell Farm. And sure enough, I left home headed to church for our Centering Prayer workshop with summer in my heart. God's blessing of a wonderful trip to France provided me with yet another blessing with its memory on this dreary Iowa day. As I walked into church, I was immediately captured by colors on the wall. The pre-school class had painted lively pictures of their houses and hung them for all to see.

Hearts filled with God's love, these little ones paint their world and their houses with vibrant color. When I ignore God's loving presence or forget to be grateful for His many blessings, my world becomes sad and grey, and my heart becomes heavy. By offering my gratitude in prayer, I welcome God's vibrancy back into my life. My house is full of bright color. Is your heart filled with God's love? Is your world cold and dreary? Could remembering God's blessings fill you with colorful gratitude? What color is your house today?

The Church in St. Cirq Lapopie

I'm frequently surprised by churches in France. An ancient facade can hold relics and art from the long distant past or it can open into a bright modern space. You just never know when you pull open the big wooden doors what you may find inside. The 15th century church in St. Cirq Lapopie was that kind of surprise. Instead of being dark and dim inside, it was white, airy, and open. The walls were still lined with tiny chapels devoted to different saints and the Holy Family, but each chapel had a unique, more modern style. I loved this one dedicated to the Virgin, a gem of blue niched into the white wall illuminated by votives.

Then stepping outside the Virgin's chapel, I'm thrilled by this very modern art installation...a tree leafed with stainless steel bicycle wheels . Reaching high up to the Romanesque vaulted ceiling, does it signify movement toward God? Living modernity growing from a dying world? Or fresh thoughts about religion rooted in the old, established tradition? Or is it....just art!

Abbey of the Arts

I've added a blog to the list of the ones I follow. It's called "Abbey of the Arts" and is written by a woman who is a Benedictine oblate and holds a PhD in Christian Spirituality. She also does Spiritual Direction. I loved reading through past blog entries and clicking through the links to other articles she's written on topics such as sacred poetry, art and spiritual practice, and praying with music. I think art adds a richness and depth to any spiritual practice. Beauty speaks to my senses and involves me in ways that feel visceral. Certain notes on the violin move me to tears, certain colors create a physical reaction deep in my center. During worship the rhythm of the liturgy, the visual feast of flickering candles and colorful vestments, and the fragrance of incense helps me feel God's presence in ways that words alone do not. When I have the opportunity to hear sacred music played or sung, I am filled with the Spirit. What a gift and a blessing to be able to create art and beauty to celebrate the glory of God!