Along with you

One more step along the world I go
More and more about the world I know
From the old things to the new
Keep me travelling along with you...

and it's from the old we travel to the new
keep us travelling along with you.

I am probably misquoting but I remember this song from first grade in England (where religion is OK in school and the Vicar did assembly!).

I have come back to my basic religious memory of these old songs several times over the past few weeks - my self imposed desert time is drawing to an end but I am ready to consciously travel with Christ again - to pick up and follow, old to new.

The desert, where I have been, recovering and allowing, is not a place of strength, giving or fighting. It is a place of reception and listening - for me it is a place of affirmation - a place of reminder of who God has made me to be even as I am stripped of all external vestiges of that very creation. Time will heal and from the quietness of being alone has come learning and wisdom - the wisdom of a whisper - God's sigh - gentle, careful and ever-present.

The desert has not been literal and the fruit of the desert has often been nothing at all and sometimes some much needed manual labor to our house - like the careful beads of the Rosary - tiles or strokes of a paintbrush - even with the annoyances and mistakes - fall as wordless prayers - laborare est (truly) orare. (Sorry latin buffs the correct case for veritas escapes me)

Ephesians 6: 10-13
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm

Just like putting a coat on for a cold day - getting ready to go into the dark places - avoiding the temptations and pulls of those who would seek a way other than the light of Christ. The WHOLE armour of God to cover the person so wholly broken and yet fully and wonderfully restored. This is always the promise that he will be with us always - even to the end of time.