Spirituality of Wallpaper Stripping

October 18, 2021

Scripture

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!  This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

(John 15:11-13 NLT)

Spirituality of Wallpaper Stripping

The other day I stripped old and ugly wallpaper in our downstairs bathroom. It was an ugly inheritance when we moved in thirteen years ago. I’m going to have to do some plaster touch up before I paint but the light colour of the paint beneath has improved the look already – light reflects warmly rather than the ugly archaic paper design.

I felt a bit like that was going on with two of our longstanding groups last week in our first gatherings in person. The settings were very different. One at a farm and the other under a downtown Toronto carport. The discoveries of new light were the same.

Being present to one another in person and for longer periods than a Zoom call was wonderfully challenging. We tentatively put into practice long dormant interpersonal skills of listening deeply to one another, sensing body language, and listening to the Divine Shepherd together in shared silence.

As we continue to have more freedom to be together as friends and family to share meals, conversation, real listening and learning from one another, in a way we’re stripping off some old wallpaper. We will uncover richness and joy as we listen with all our senses, are willing to give more than receive and lay down our own agenda in love for one another.

A Prayer for Today

Gentle God, reveal to us the beauty of sensitive friendship. Help us to create such stillness in our inner being that we become aware of your gracious movements in the souls of others  (Ray Simpson)