Happy Wednesday TSJ Peeps!
The team of three here at TSJ headquarters keep feeling the ups and downs of change. You who are TSJ peeps already know Solomon (senior wisdom seeker), SJ (youthful wanderer of wonder) and little Lovey (totally toddler) represent the development of our human consciousness on our earth journey.
Since Mr.Tom went Home to his ultimate dwelling place, The Boys have struggled with me through my ups and downs and comings and goings. One never knows what a day will bring. Lovey came later as a present from a TSJ fan. She immediately fell into step with the boys – to bring comfort, curiosity, hope and more play back into our lives.
Who would think stuffed animals could have such power? Hmm.. ask any kid and they can tell you the names and special features of the animals on their beds!
Speaking of kids . . . don’t they make you think of home? Our hearts surely are with kids, pets, and the people we love and cherish!
And home is is what fills my thoughts and time in these days of transition.
Let me ask you. If your walls could talk ~ what stories would they share? If your pets could talk openly and honestly ~ what would they say about you and ife in your home?
HEART AND HOME
That saying, “home is where the heart is” is compelling.
Our home is a dwelling … a place we live and relive life lessons. At home we tend to dwell on things important to us. The same is true in a spiritual sense for our hearts.
The Boys and I are talking about sharing some of our home stories with you. And oh the stories the boys could tell! They saw all of our actions and heard all of our last conversations!
They could easily tell you stories of love, joy, heartache, scares, and of the difficult journey from the life we knew to preparing for a new life. They also heard about financial concerns, medical concerns, parental concerns but best of all the joy and wonder of grandchildren who, like Lovey, brought curiosity, play, and joy even when grandparents were facing new life and death challenges. Kids bring life with them!
Lately, however, The Boys and I, along with Lovey who is excited without sadness because she did not know Mr. Tom, are talking incessantly about “showing” the house, letting go of material things, learning to savoring the moment and face the future together.
Lovey hears all of this but of course does not understand. All she wants is food. Come to think of it, I am eating a lot of comfort food myself!
I hear myself saying over and over, “This is a happy home.” I want the future buyer to be happy here too.
For the last 24 years this home has heard more words of love than the walls can absorb. The Boys will tell you that the sadness we feel is directly related to the joy we feel too. Hard to describe, but the walls keep whispering that Tom’s spirit remains with us. Certainly he left a legacy of strength, courage, honor and practical wisdom.
Home is where the heart is.
Our hearts are in transition now. But Solomon stays steady. He gently holds me accountable. He reminds me not to eat from the “yes-but tree,” rather to meditate on the TSJ principle, you know ‘ ‘ ‘ of sheep and shepherd . . . heart and home.
The full stage setting for home is set before us in Psalm 23. It starts with God and ends with God and all verses in between are filled with the ups and downs of life.
So in the night as I was thanking God for Tom I whispered the last verse, “And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” There is that word “dwell” and the concept (for me anyway) of home.
Being grateful and fully present in this moment slows down the rushing to the next or focusing on the past. Moment by moment we can dwell in the heart . . . where God is.
In this age of fear and anxiety we must guard our hearts and our homes.
We need guards at the gates and bouncers within to keep away fear and dark thoughts.
For TSJ peeps, the guards at the gate are: The Shepherd and Wisdom.
The bouncers within the walls are Love and Compassion.
When negativity and fear arises within the walls we must send them packing! They seem to pop up out of nowhere. They often hide behind happy exteriors.
So what would the walls of your home (heart) say today?
Solomon cleared his throat and solemnly said, “Remember, Chief Shepherd loves and delights in you!”
Okay, Solomon. Thanks for the reminder.
Happy shepherding!
Margie and Solomon
