During this season, I often need to get out of the house in order to get work done. If I’m home, the laundry or dishes stare at me, the closets that need organizing and the leaves on the front porch call my name. When it's time to write, I need quiet, uninterrupted, and undistracted space. My friend Gretchen’s house has been the chief landing place for my un-home office. Gretchen is brilliant and organized, nary a curated item of décor or artwork out of place. Whimsy and intelligence around every corner. I spent all day yesterday making a mess on her dining room table while she worked upstairs in her home office, and the rain drizzled relentlessly against the windows of the house. At some point I needed a change of scenery, so I grabbed my laptop and headed into the living room to get comfy on the couch. Keep in mind, Gretchen’s house usually looks like a furniture or decorator’s showroom. There are two matching swivel chairs flanking her coffee table, chairs that I know offer their welcome arms for her daily time with Jesus.
When I walked into the living room this time, the collection of things sitting on the table in front of the chair struck me. I felt the word ‘EXPECTATION’ hanging over the space. A box of tissues. A cup filled with colored pens and highlighters. A Bible or two, a small stack of books for inspiration and study, and her famously titled-with-tongue-in-cheek “Self-Pity and Prayer Journal.” Each item signifying expectation, anticipation, for the God of the universe to draw near, to listen, and to speak to her heart.
We have now termed this location in her house The Table of Expectation. Right now my personal, unique version of this table is my backpack. I keep my Bible, journal, sketchbook and art supplies in my black backpack and lug it with me pretty much everywhere I go. I never know when I’ll have some extra time, or will feel the nudge to read a passage, write an ‘aha’ in my journal, or record a cool God story. I just know that having the bag with me helps me walk attuned to His voice, expectant for Him to speak.
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
Where is your ‘table of expectation’? Do you have a favorite chair, spot in the back yard, walking or driving route where you always go to seek His voice? How can you create this for yourself, to build both expectation for and response to His still, small voice?
