Making Space

     

      While thinking about goals for a class I'm taking I had this thought-provoking idea--"make space for other people". 

       A couple of years ago I learned about catching the space between thoughts and using it to  redirect worrisome and anxious thoughts which sometimes  go around and around in my head, often without me realizing what's happening until I'm stuck in them.  I found the idea of mind-space very intriguing so I decided to practice catching my thoughts  and changing them.  It was a good exercise; it especially helped me  become aware that there was this space, and  tiny though it was,  I could take advantage of it and refocus. The more I tried it, the earlier I was able to perceive what was going on in my head and shift my thinking!  The idea "make space for other people" caught my attention when I remembered this experience.

     While pondering "people-space" I remembered a recent experience at our hummingbird feeders.  We are new at this and were very excited earlier this summer to see hummingbirds in our yard and at both feeders!  Later we observed  that the visits had lessened and we became aware of many bees at the feeders!  They drove the birds away.  They would not make space for the birds to feed.  

     Our thoughts and hearts can become like the bees.  We can become so stuck on an  idea that we never make space for something better.  We can become so self-centered that we do not make space for other people.  Sometimes we accommodate them because we've been taught to do so--because it's the right thing to do--but our hearts are not really in the decision.  Maybe we don't even like people at times. I think making space in our heart is about allowing others in. That is a big shift for some of us; I'm especially thinking about those of us who have injured hearts.  I'm going to try harder to recognize that there really is  space in the heart, and the more we allow others in the bigger it will become. That means more and more Light.

     This process applies to believing, knowing and trusting Jesus Christ, or God if you prefer.  Most helpful to me is this process; I know it works, and the Lord can always be trusted.  He will always love us, leaving space for us to grow and change for the better.