Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Screen Doors & Uncluttered Souls
The screen door is open for the first time in months, the breeze causing the bare branches of my backyard tree to sway. Tiny new buds reveal themselves in new batches every day, reminding me that even when things are stripped bare, given time, they’ll grow again. As I ponder this, I hear birdsong and instantly my shoulders relax because I know one thing to be true in this moment.
Spring is here.
Winter is technically only three months long, but the soul doesn’t keep track of technicalities. The soul only knows the frozen ground and the way the stark chill comes in the dark of winter and settles down deep into the bones, causing the body to shiver.
And I don’t know about you, friend, but winter felt long this year.
It can seem like an aimless, lightless season and maybe that’s why I feel so renewed and restored by that open screen door. It’s a physical representation of what the spring season’s invitation is: an open door, a fresh wind, lighter days, and open space.
As my soul and body transition from the dark cold of winter to the warm light of spring, I find myself wanting to open the screen door wide, and the windows, too. Maybe that in and of itself is a spiritual practice, this opening of windows and doors. It’s a physical representation of what I’m most longing for. A way for me to embody what my deepest desire really is:
To create wider spaces in my life so I can breathe a little deeper — to be known a little deeper, and to know a little deeper. But in order to create wide spaces, I know I must clear away the clutter.
Maybe that’s why they call it spring cleaning because we all have something deep down inside us that craves new beginnings, no matter how scary or unknown they may seem. Maybe we all long for a little more space in our souls and in our homes once the light of spring begins to chase the dark of winter away.
This first week of spring is showing me that less really does mean more; less really does allow you to open up the screen door wide because when you know you have all you need, you can stop closing the door to keep it all locked up inside. And when I say ‘less is more’, I mean for me at least that less control leads to more freedom.
Fists clenched a little less mean deeper, longer breaths. It means letting go of what’s outside of my control so I can let what’s inside come out into the light and heal a little more.
There’s a passage in Isaiah that shows us that emptiness just might be the prerequisite to fullness. That this practice of letting go and opening up to God really does lead to a fuller life.
“If you get rid of unfair practices,
quit blaming victims,
quit gossiping about other people’s sins,
If you are generous with the hungry
and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,
Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
firm muscles, strong bones.
You’ll be like a well-watered garden,
a gurgling spring that never runs dry.”(Isaiah 59:9-12, MSG — emphasis added)
Did you notice how letting go — clearing away what clutters the soul — comes before the fullness?
Maybe spring can show us that our empty places — the lesser parts of our lives — are where God’s restoration flows in abundance. Perhaps opening up the screen door wide, throwing open all the windows as we reacquaint ourselves with the outside, is how we thrive on the inside.
I’m learning to let go of what I’ve held so close as I step out into the fresh air so that God can come close, and I pray the same for you, my friend.
Peace be with you,
Celia
A Breath Prayer for Your Weekend
breathe in:
Give me life, Lord.
breathe out:
In the emptiest of places.
*if you’d like to learn more about the practice of breath prayer, check out this blog post I wrote titled, How to Use Breath Prayer.
Join the Sacred Spaces Community
Are you longing to be more attentive to God’s presence in your everyday life?
Do you have the desire to know God’s love and grow in deeper communion with Him?
Are you sensing the Spirit’s invitation to grow spiritually but don’t know where to begin?
Do you feel tired, worn out, or burnt out on religion?
Are you craving rest, refreshment of soul, and perhaps a different way of being with God?
In the Sacred Spaces community, we’re going to journey deeper into the heart of God together, putting our ears to His chest as we gently trod toward Homebase, by exploring different Christian contemplative practices that are designed to open our hearts to the Spirit’s leading and loving voice in our souls and lives. By subscribing to Sacred Spaces for just $5 a month, you’ll gain immediate access to:
monthly emails that will be sent out on the 1st of every month containing that month’s spiritual practice, action steps, and tools, outside additional resources, and weekly reflection questions
Soul Care Sessions, where you can book a 30-minute one-on-one Zoom call with me to talk about that month's spiritual practice, what the Lord is revealing to you, or what you're wrestling with. It's an invitation to come as you are as the Holy Spirit leads our time together and cares for your soul
a community chat in the Substack app where you can engage with other community members and me about that month’s email or whatever else may be stirring within you
Click here to join or read more about it:
Resources & Fun Things to Pick Up
Author and licensed therapist, Aundi Kolber’s, guest post on Ann Voskamp’s blog this week was deep, nourishing, and good for the soul. If you feel like you always have to be the strong one, her words may be a soothing balm that you need today: The Way Through Pain and Trauma
Are you longing for a bit of space and silence in your life? The CAC (Center for Action and Contemplation) offers free, live virtual sit mediation times on YouTube. Click the link to find an upcoming date that works for you or catch the replays here: Virtual Sit Meditations
My friend and fellow writer, Kari Bartkus, is offering an 8-week journaling course called Journal Gently designed to help you experience God’s presence in the midst of grief. I went through the 8-week writing program myself, and it was incredibly healing and life-giving. Check it out here: Journal Gently
Grab some breath prayer cards, a journal, and other contemplative resources from my Etsy shop: The Beholding Co.
Grab a copy of my Bible study, You Are Beloved: a 21-day study on how to root your identity in the love of God, over on Amazon.
An Invitation to Pause & Reflect
A regular practice of reflection helps us recognize what’s going on beneath the surface of our souls so we can name it in the Lord’s presence. Because as we learn to name what we feel, what we need, and what we long for, we’re also learning to discern the Spirit’s sweet, gentle voice within our hearts and lives.
Take a few moments today or this weekend to journal or contemplate with the Holy Spirit the following question(s) or prompt(s):
What are you longing for most as spring arrives?
What clutter are you carrying that needs to be cleared away?
What practices or rhythms could you add to your daily or weekly life to help you embody that longing and/or letting go? It could be a practice as simple as opening the screen door and windows.
Thanks for the Journal Gently recommendation! I'm now on week 2!
This is timely, Celia. It has been an uncomfortably long winter for me (internally and externally) and the imagery of swinging the door wide open and letting in the light is a reminder of the posture I long to take on as these days keep growing longer and brighter 🤍☀️