Svante is not a holy wheelchair, but...

"Svante" is the name of my Swedish wheelchair, and his name means "holy."  I can't remember if I gave him that name because I was hopeful that he would live up to it, or that I would. But, like my pet beta fish, Immortal, who tragically died of obesity, the name is not working very well for Svante. He has a very unholy way of running into things, breaking things, hurting people, putting me in awkward and embarrassing jams, and generally getting both of us into trouble.

But I began reading Ezekiel this morning, and call me crazy, but from where I sit, it sure seems like Ezekiel's vision in 1:14-21 was of a holy wheelchair...

The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning. As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went. Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around.

When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

I did some digging and read some commentaries on what these creatures and their wheels might represent - the providence of God, the wisdom of God, angels, kingdoms, etc. There was a lot on the significance of the topaz, the rims of eyes, and the four faces, too. And if you are interested in that sort of thing, I suggest you do your own digging, because it is fascinating stuff. However, I want to just focus on the theme that caught my attention, as a girl who lives with an unholy wheelchair.

The wheels are controlled by the living creatures, and the creatures are controlled by the spirit - that is, the Spirit of God. When I think of the stupid things my chair does, I want to blame the chair, but really, it is only doing what the joystick tells it to do, and the joystick only does what I do - I control the wheels. So I realize that my actions and reactions are dependent on who/what I allow to control me. Sometimes I let my focus drift and my heart wander, and I let the "old me" have control, which results in a lot worse things than scratched walls and dented doors; it often leads to selfish motives, ugly impatience, and bitter words.  

But I want to be like those four living creatures that Ezekiel saw, being so in tune with God's Spirit and his will that they moved and rose and stood still whenever and however he did. In essence, their attitudes and thoughts and desires were submitted to the control of the Spirit. And the wheels followed suit - their responses and reactions were in line with their hearts and minds, and those were in line with the Spirit.

Holy Father, today I submit to your control, and trust you to guide me according to your will.

"Just add water, and count to three... one and two and-!"

A small miracle is occurring at our Hobbit Hole. Well ok, miracles are actually happening all the time at our Hobbit Hole... Prayers are answered, relationships are restored, divine appointments are arranged, language barriers are broken, and the list goes on. Life feels a bit magical right now, and it is thrilling to live it out.

But there is a peculiar thing that has been quietly happening on our kitchen window sill this month. Granted, we fully hoped and expected our herbs to grow taller and thicker, and we have not been disappointed about that. What we didn't expect or even consider hoping for was a taller, thicker prince.

You may recall my recent post about Small Hannah's frog that turned into a cute little munchkin prince - one Mr. Knightly, by name - who was, as Crazy Hannah put it, "Every inch the man he was meant to be." Once he was fully transformed, we drained the water out of his tightly sealed container, and set him on the window sill.

A few days later, one of our teen girls, Thet Thet, was making something in the kitchen, and decided the prince needed more water, and she filled his container up again.  The next morning, Mr. Knightly had quite literally DOUBLED in size! He was a whopping 2" tall. Hannah was a bit freaked out, so she drained him again, thinking he was maybe bloated...

But he maintained his stature, and we admired him a great deal for it. So, when curiosity got the better of us, we filled him up again... and sure enough, he now stands at 4" tall, and has nearly outgrown his container, which we cannot break open in a legal way. Now we're wondering if there was a reason for the secure seal...

Two questions: Should we find a way to release the growing prince to expand without limits? And what do you think will happen if we do?  

1" tall Mr. Knightly

4" tall Mr. Knightly

Thoughts of communion, Dreams of adventure

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” - Revelation 21:5

Yesterday, I had the honor of sharing communion with Hannah, Brie, and Joe at the dining room table of our Hobbit Hole. Per Brie's delicate stomach, the bread was gluten-free, and per the cold icy weather, the drink was a hot brewed, deep red berry-flower tea, appropriately strong and bitter. Our little family is becoming more and more comfortable with our "unorthodox orthodoxy," as we value more and more the significance and deep truths behind the sacraments and traditions and legacies that have shaped our faith.

The Scripture we studied together was Revelation 21:1-6, and it was pretty awesome to remember the sacrifice of Jesus while looking ahead to the hope that awaits us. We were each reminded of other passages or lessons that we've learned, and shared them to enrich our study and encourage each other. Then we served communion to each other and prayed.

But communion continued, because we sat around the table, talking about what life might be like when the Lord makes everything new: We will be ourselves in a purer and more powerful way than we ever could  be now, without the restraints of such burdens as guilt and insecurity. We will be able to do the things our hearts long to do without the bonds of pain and weakness. We will know each other in a deeper and clearer way, without the barriers of selfishness and envy. None of our thoughts will be clouded with worry, our actions won't be hindered by fear. We will climb mountains, swim seas, race ostriches, without getting weary. We will roll in snow and bake in sunshine and dance in rain without our bodies reacting in protest. We will walk and laugh, and I think we might even do some work side by side with our Lord! Can you just imagine, tending a garden with Jesus? What if we get to be a part of his "making everything new"? What if he gives us quests to go out and plant, cultivate, bless, and refresh all of creation?

We looked at each other with huge smiles on our faces as our imaginations started getting a bit out of control. "OK girls," Joe said, "I think we need to resolve right now... to go on an adventure together, when we are all there." Yes! Absolutely! Let's do it! Unanimous resolution regarding eternity, made eagerly and without hesitation. Who would turn down an adventure in which you are guaranteed not to die or suffer loss, but only victory?!

But how would we remember our resolve? At best, our memories of this life will probably be shadows - hence, the "no more tears" promise. And we can't possibly plan it out, since we really don't know what to expect. But Joe was thinking ahead: "What if the King plans the adventure, specially designed for us, and sends us out on it?" Of course! He is already preparing a place for us, so it would make sense for him to prepare adventures for us to have there too. He knows us perfectly, so he would know the events and places and encounters that would thrill our hearts the most. And whatever he does is to his own glory, so we could be certain that whatever he plans, it will be beautiful and exhilarating and powerful and beyond our wildest imaginations....

So Father, we look forward to the day we will truly be with you, and all things will be made new. We trust that you are planning incredible adventures for us to live out in your eternal kingdom, and we can't wait to be in your presence and experience the joy of knowing you fully. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! And until that day, give us grace to seek out the adventures you have for us in this world, and to discover the beauty of your love and grace even in the brokenness around us, as we learn what it means to live out of the kingdom of heaven that is here and now. (Matt. 10:7-8)