I heard a voice, it said "make an altar." It sounded like me, but I cannot take credit for the idea. My Life Coach, Lori, calls moments like these "downloads." I recognized that I was gifted a download and I obeyed that voice. I believe that we all have an Inner Guide and that it's the wisest part of ourselves. Similar to how when we are trying to work through a decision and we ask others for their opinions on the matter...but, somewhere in the depth of our soul - we know the answer. We have the answers for our own lives, it's simply a matter of trust. We're so afraid of being wrong, but if we can get to that quiet state (it doesn't have to be full blow meditation, just quiet!)...we can listen and we can know. The more you go there, the easier it all becomes. I know from experience.
Back to the altar. So, I ran with it. Like literally went into the spare room that had become a storage space and went to work. This is the room that I took naps in when I was a child staying with Grandma and Grandpa. This is the room where the best dream ever took place - a dream that came at a time when I was struggling with keeping hope in my heart about becoming a mother. God showed me a delightful scene. My niece Alyssa playing with a small, blonde headed, boy. The entire dream I was trying to figure out who this child was and why when I looked at him I felt love like I've never felt it before. When I woke up, I knew God had placed hope back into my heart, he showed me (in that dream) what it felt like to have a child of my own (oh, the love!)...so that I would continue to desire that and maintain the hope that it would in fact happen. Praise Jesus! I now have Eli and his hair is lightening up by the day! All of this to say that the room that contains a whole lot of junk is quite special to me.
I took my mother's hope chest that she gave to me long ago (that her mother upholstered the fabric on just for me). When I opened it I thought I'd find more stuff! But, there was one lonely journal that I had started years ago and it held my dreams...the same ones I have today. I knew when I saw it, I was on track, and was so glad I obeyed "the voice" and just ran with the task of making the altar.
I then took everything I could find that held the deepest meaning to me and placed it on top of the hope chest. Just to name a few: there's a picture of my Grandma (whose home we live in) - it's my favorite picture of her. She's wearing a Santa hat and a lovely Christmas sweater, she's smiling her sweet smile and in the background is the beach! White sands, and the bluest water. She was in Florida for Christmas with Aunt Kathi. To me, this is Heaven! I know it's not the picture in the Bible, but every time I see it I just think of Heaven. Christmas + the Beach ...two of the most wonderful things! There's also my favorite piece of (poster) art that my mom gave me. It's a Fairy sitting inside of a half moon, reading to the moon. Ah, it just speaks to my soul when I gaze upon it! I put a small couch of Grandma's facing my bookshelf and sometimes I steal a few minutes and just stare at that bookshelf. Those books have seen me through so much! The room needs fresh paint and there's stuff everywhere, but in one little section is my altar and it's perfect. I don't even notice that the room is a mess because my meaningful items are there and they offset the fact that work needs to be done!
My Soul loves having that space! I don't get in there everyday, but most days I do. I bring Eli - there's plenty for him to get into (and I let him!). When I am near the altar that I created, I remember who I am. Not my life roles, but the deepest part of who I am. My Soul. I am love and light and created with purpose by my loving Father. And, you were too!
Claim a space and remember who you are (and whose you are)! It's life altering.
