From this title, you're undoubtedly thinking that I am looking for a new gym. No, that's not the case. Thin places have more to do with my Lenten outlook.
In Celtic tradition, "thin places" are those places where the separation between heaven and earth is thin, gauzy, fine, and nearly non-existent. Thin places are different for every person. This year's Lenten focus at Trinity Episcopal is first of all, thinking about our thin places, and second, finding them. We can search through scripture to find thin places; for example, when Jesus heals the sick, or feeds the hungry. The disciples observe thin places as they travel with Jesus on the path to the cross. But how often do we think about them? Not nearly often enough.
My thin places are actually the themes of my life. My first theme is water, especially Lake Erie. Perhaps my first thin place was the view from my childhood bedroom window, where I could watch the stormy furor of the lake and almost--almost--see Jesus walking on the water. One a sunny day, when there was no wind and the water was still, it was so thin I could feel the joy of having Jesus' arms around me. It's been many years since I looked out that particular bedroom window, but all I have to do is stand next to the ocean and the same feelings are there.
My second theme is family. Over the years, it's usually been older family members that take me to thin places, usually because they are getting closer to heaven themselves. But since my grandchildren have been born, that's changed. Today, my thin places are the special experiences with Lily and Garrett. Every time Lily asks a thought-provoking question, and every time Garrett celebrates a new achievement (like climbing proudly to stand on the dining room table), I find that heaven is very close.
I keep looking for more thin places, and I suspect that as I age, I will find them. Spiritual feelings grow as we experience more of life and learn, over and over again, that faith in God and belief in eternal life are what holds us together in this life. I will continue to celebrate my thin places until that thin veil lifts, and I find myself taking my first steps in heaven.
In Celtic tradition, "thin places" are those places where the separation between heaven and earth is thin, gauzy, fine, and nearly non-existent. Thin places are different for every person. This year's Lenten focus at Trinity Episcopal is first of all, thinking about our thin places, and second, finding them. We can search through scripture to find thin places; for example, when Jesus heals the sick, or feeds the hungry. The disciples observe thin places as they travel with Jesus on the path to the cross. But how often do we think about them? Not nearly often enough.
My thin places are actually the themes of my life. My first theme is water, especially Lake Erie. Perhaps my first thin place was the view from my childhood bedroom window, where I could watch the stormy furor of the lake and almost--almost--see Jesus walking on the water. One a sunny day, when there was no wind and the water was still, it was so thin I could feel the joy of having Jesus' arms around me. It's been many years since I looked out that particular bedroom window, but all I have to do is stand next to the ocean and the same feelings are there.
My second theme is family. Over the years, it's usually been older family members that take me to thin places, usually because they are getting closer to heaven themselves. But since my grandchildren have been born, that's changed. Today, my thin places are the special experiences with Lily and Garrett. Every time Lily asks a thought-provoking question, and every time Garrett celebrates a new achievement (like climbing proudly to stand on the dining room table), I find that heaven is very close.
I keep looking for more thin places, and I suspect that as I age, I will find them. Spiritual feelings grow as we experience more of life and learn, over and over again, that faith in God and belief in eternal life are what holds us together in this life. I will continue to celebrate my thin places until that thin veil lifts, and I find myself taking my first steps in heaven.
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