Friday, November 21, 2008

My dearest God,

I volunteered to clean the bathroom. We were preparing to leave our temporary retreat home to return home. We needed to clean up.

I looked through the cleaning agents. I found a spray. I used it to spray the shower down. Then I realized it was a poor quality, really only slipped and slid over the soap scrum. I looked closer. The shower hadn't been scrubbed in a long time. Obviously others had used the spray but nothing got it really clean. I started to walk away but your voice came to me. "You are not cleaning up after yourself, you are preparing the holy space for the next person."

I thought about the words, the call to prepare a holy place for another person whose longings would bring them to San Damiano. I searched through the cleaning products. I found Comet. I poured the stuff on the bottom of the shower and then worked my way up. I scrubbed, rinsed, and then scrubbed again. About 30 minutes later the shower sparkled, looking like new. I cleaned the sink and washed down the toilet. I cleaned the mirror and swept the floor. I stood back looking at my work. I would probably have simply cleaned the shower as best I could, then the sink and toilet. But your word came to me and I realized it was not about cleaning up after ourselves but rather a labor of love for the next person.

How often, O Lord, I just work to "clean" my own space and fail to realize what I am to do for the next person. I forget that life is not all about me but how I live my life, preparing the soil for the next person to follow. The universe is not centered on me but rather I am a temporary wanderer following you. I often fail to remember the call.

I am grateful for your words as I leaned on all fours in the shower. I am thankful for the call to clean, to really clean, to make sparkle, to beautify, to humble myself, to love another sight unseen. Life is not about me but about others and how I love them. It is about listening and following. It is about obedience that ultimately brings joy.

I felt joy
in the dirty shower,
Lord,
because
you were present
with me.
You showed me
the way.
You spoke
your words
of love,
love for
my neighbor,
love for me.
I felt loved
as you called me
to serve.
I remembered
how you said,
"When you do it
unto the least
of these,
my friends,
you do it
unto me.l"
Thank you
for joining me
in the shower,
in the bathroom,
at the toilet.
At your feet
I learn
so much.

Love, Andrea