Earlier this week one of our children was preparing a talk for school. Part of the talk was about walls in her life. This started me thinking about the walls in my life, in particular a physical "wall", probably more accurately called a divider (a Bunnngs 4x4 cube bookcase), I built so I could have my own "office" at home.
I desperately wanted a space of my own that at least looked something like a serious working space, not at all pining after the 22nd floor window desk with a glorious view of Sydney Harbour that I used to have! I guess a window with a view of God's equally magnificent roses will have to suffice.
But at least I had created a space that the children could recognise as "Mum's working space". Although it was missing one vital component, a door, on which I could hang a 'Do not disturb' sign. But it seemed that sometimes my body language adequately conveyed that message.
Anyway, in June last year due to the need for me to help one of our children review some of their schoolwork, I had to remove the "wall", transforming my "office" into a pseudo mini classroom with 2 student desks, chairs and my desk and chair.
As I adjusted to the physical rearrangement of the room I was surprised at my emotional response to the change. Rather than being resentful about having to share my space, I was actually enjoying engaging with our children in this focused manner and working towards a goal together. It was as though pulling down the wall that I had erected to provide myself with peace and space, and let's be honest, in some cases to hide, enabled me to reconnect with our children in a completely new way.
Perhaps though I did need that time with my own space to re-establish boundaries that are now still respectfully in place, but also to re-define this space as one where serious work is done, where ideas and concepts are discussed and where meaningful life conversations take place and sometimes tears are shed. It has been a blessing for me to now have the emotional and physical space to come alongside our children in their learning.
So what's the point of this story? Sometimes we put up walls, and they may be necessary for a period of time, but let's always be open to when God wants us to pull down the walls and re-engage! Be expectant of the blessings that will flow to and from others when the walls do come down.
Our reconciling "Peace" is Jesus! He has made Jew and non-Jew one in Christ. By dying as our sacrifice, he has broken down every wall of prejudice that separated us and has now made us equal through our union with Christ. Ephesians 2:14 TPT
Praise God for the breaking down of walls.
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