House Blessing

Every year during the Ordinary Time between Epiphany and Lent, we have our house blessed. This past weekend was the ninth time my sister-in-law, Jennifer has come to walk through our home with us to pronounce blessings on the spaces we inhabit day in and day out. This is the first year, though, that Jennifer gave me the tools to work through creating our own blessing (previously we have used a liturgy that she has brought, which has always been meaningful and lovely).

Teaching someone something you have just learned is an excellent way to solidify that learning. In the same way, creating liturgy, for me, is an excellent way to enter into the experience in a deepened way. As you can tell from reading this blog, writing is an important aspect to my inner life. This year, our house blessing needed to go beyond what it has been.

We have lived in our two-bedroom house for over 11 years. In that time, we have raised three children and welcomed three grandchildren. When one child moved out, a grandchild soon joined us. We have always been bursting at the seams! Our house is almost 100 years old. It has character, but it also has it’s issues. Lath and plaster, an old furnace, outdated electrical and not one square corner are the beginning. At some point in its past, someone converted what was the front porch into part of the living room. A few years ago, apparently what passes for support underneath it must have given way, and a VERY LARGE crack appeared up the side of the living room where the porch joins the rest of the house. It stayed the same for a long time. And then started moving across the room along the ceiling. Barry and I are not competent fixer-uppers. We also aren’t rich. We have been avoiding that crack. I know! Many of you just sucked in your breath in that way that says, “What?!” The front of the house could fall off!” We know! I have known for quite some time now that when my faith has grown enough, I will have faith to tackle The Giant Crack. This was a big motivation for writing our own liturgy. Before I tackle this thing in real life, I’ve got to come to terms with it in my soul. How I have pretended it wasn’t there. Then pretended it wasn’t getting worse. Then worried about how we could possibly pay for the obviously extensive repairs that will rectify the situation. And the furnace, and the floor, and the electrical.

Deep breath.

Start with blessing.

After cursing under my breath (and sometimes not very under my breath) at this house for years, it needs some blessing. So, when Jenn proposed the possibility of writing our own blessings for this house, I knew I needed to do it. For the house. For me.

The project brought out words of love, comfort, hope, and peace. All things we have enjoyed in this house. I could talk about protection and shelter. Warmth and space. Working through developing this blessing helped me to embrace this house, our home, in a completely new way. A way that I need in order to give it the care it needs and the soul-work I need.

I am including here our house blessing. I organized it according to the spaces I wanted to recognize and speak to. If any of it resonates with you at all and you wish to bless your home (you don’t have to have my Jenn come to do it, but it is a great idea to have someone accompany you through it), please feel free to use any of it. Or if this gives you ideas and you want to write your own, I’d love to hear about the process for you, and to read what you develop, if you’re comfortable with that.

 

House Blessing

Front Door

Here is where we enter our refuge, our place of warmth and safety. Some days when we come through the door we can heave a sigh of relief that we have survived the outside world to make it back to our sanctuary unscathed. It’s where we re-enter the world having replenished our supplies of rest, nourishment, love, and acceptance.

This is also where we welcome guests. Family, friends and strangers walk through this door into the space of love and acceptance we have created. While they are here, may they be immersed in the environment we create and leave through this same door refreshed, loved, accepted, and brought to life.

 

May the door of our home be wide enough
to receive those who hunger for kindness,
those who are lonely,
or isolated from friendship.

May it welcome those who have cares
to unburden,
thanks to express,
hopes to nurture.

May the door of our home
be narrow enough to shut out
pettiness and pride, envy, and enmity.

May the door of our home be
closed to self-righteousness, selfishness,
and harshness.

May its threshold be no stumbling block
to receiving those who are different than I am.

May our home be for all who enter,
the doorway to spiritual richness and a more
meaningful life.

(Adapted from The Siddur of Shir Chadash)

Basement – Pantry

This is where we store the abundance provided for us. Here is where our children can come and shop for free, to be nourished in their times of need. Divine Family, help us to recognize how you provide for us and through us to our children and our children’s children. You are a generous provider! We will never want for bread, or fish crackers, or tomato sauce, or gummies, or olive oil. And because you teach us generosity, we don’t have to hold these things in stinginess, but can share joyfully!

Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink – even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk – it’s all free! (Isa. 55:1)

Basement – Office

This space represents the work we do for monetary recompense, but also work we do for the larger community. Here, we make use of the gifts God has given us to write, to speak, to assist others in writing and speaking, to bring to others words from the Divine Family. Spirit, be with us as we put to use the gifts and skills you have given to us. Through us, bring gifts to our communities.

So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is our lot in life. (Eccl. 3:22)
And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. (Acts 2:44)
Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! (Ecc (9:10)
Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything – encores to the end of time. Oh yes! (1 Pet 4:10-11)

Basement – Laundry

Here we do work for ourselves and our family. With the gifts of modern technology, we put dirty clothes in and take clean clothes out. May this space and work remind us that we have responsibility for only the 2%: putting the clothes in and taking them out. Your gifts to us are the 98%: the actual making clean. May we always see this work as an opportunity to participate in keeping our family clean, clothed and warm.

For God is not unjust. The Divine Family will not forget how hard you have worked for them and how you have shown your love to them by caring for other believers, as you still do. (Heb. 6:10)

Basement – Storage

Here is where we keep mementos and objects that represent for us our life lived together. May we have the wisdom to know what to keep and what can be passed on to others, or thrown away. This is not just the physical objects kept here, but the memories and thoughts they represent. May we hold onto the joy, the love, the acceptance, the laughter. May we let go the anger, the bitterness, the misunderstandings.

Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. (Mt. 6:20)
I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt. (Ps 119:11)

Bathroom

Here is where we practice practical self-care: bathing, brushing, washing, voiding. Thank you for the space, both physical and mental, to care for our precious bodies. Thank you for teaching us that our bodies are beautiful gifts from you. Help us to value our physical selves as you do, investing time and effort to keep them clean and healthy.

This is also a space where we prepare ourselves for presentation to the world. May we always remember the love and mercy with which you look upon us and give ourselves the same gifts. As we look in the mirror, may we see the beloved child, the apple of your eye that you see.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honour God with your body. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. God won’t overlook what you’re doing but will reward you well. (Mt. 6:17-18)

Neala’s Room

This is the space set aside in our home for Neala to call her own. Here she can rest, be safe, write, paint, create. These four walls, windows, door, bed, shelves, dresser, closet, desk are our ongoing gifts to a beloved daughter, as they are your gift to our family. Spirit, be a quick presence in this space, that here Neala may know your loving arms wrapping her in love and care every moment she spends here. Within the sanctuary of our home, may this be her special place of healing, light and love.

Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! (Ps. 61:4)

Our Room

This is the space set aside in our home for Barry and Heather to rest, to be restored, to connect with each other. Spirit, be present in this space to minister to the hearts and minds of the matriarch and patriarch of this dynamic, energetic family. Give peace and rest to busy bodies and thoughtful minds. Protect this space so that hearts are healed with time spent here. Within the sanctuary of our home, may this be our special place of healing, light and love.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. (Mt 11:28-30)

Stairs

Stairs are a liminal space: a space between spaces. Here we go up, we go down. We rarely linger here, but we frequently transition between not only spaces but experiences. Here we transition from work to home, from wakefulness to sleep, from preparing to going. May we be aware of the value of this space that leads from one thing to another. Be present here, Spirit, to guide our hearts and minds from one thing to another, softening transitions that can be difficult.

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. (Ps 121:8)

Kitchen

Here is where we take our abundant provisions and prepare nourishment for our bodies. There are meals of the ordinary, meals of celebration, meals meant for healing, meals made for comfort. Thank you, Divine Family for your abundant gifts, and for walking with us through whatever each day brings as we continually plan for and create the meals for our physical selves. As we do this work of preparation together, we nourish our souls in our most intimate community. May this space be one of collaboration, cooperation and helpfulness to one another. Spirit, be present here to remind us that you take joy in feeding our bodies and delight in creating a space that feeds our spirits in the process.

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. (2 Cor 9:10)

Dining Room

In this space we sit to share our food together. But more than that, we gather to share ourselves with one another. There is something sacred in sharing food: a vulnerability, an openness of our spirits as we open our mouths. May we always have consideration of one another’s softness and vulnerability while in this space because this is also a space where we pursue pastimes together, where we host friends, where conversation can go from lighthearted to deep in a matter of moments. This is a space that for us, has been newly changed. From a sleeping sanctuary to a common, open space. We feel the new freedom to move here. Help us to remember this feeling of expansion, of new movement, of room to include others.

So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this! (Ecc 9:7)
A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate. (Pr 15:17)
So eat your meals heartily, not worrying about what others say about you – you’re eating to God’s glory, after all, not to please them. As a matter of fact, do everything that way, heartily and freely to God’s glory. (1 Cor 10: 31)

Living Room

This space is the heart of our home. Here we spend time together in silence, in pursuit of interests, being loud, sharing our lives and experiences. Here we read and learn. We converse and laugh. Sometimes we sleep. We entertain and are entertained. We nurture life in plants, in each other, in family and friends. Here we practice the gifts of hospitality you have planted in our hearts. Spirit, may we and others always feel your presence here: loving, caring, warming, healing. Here are the biggest windows, letting in the light. May your light flood this space and us in it, illuminating the places we feel we should keep secret, but are best shared. As we stand in this space of love and acceptance, may we look out on the world with compassion and care. This room, for us, is newly expanded, opening up possibilities and room for more. Help us to be generous, welcoming and embracing.

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. (1 Pet 4:8)
When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. (Rom 12:13)

Christmas Decorations

Thank you that we have not had the opportunity to store away the things that physically mark the celebration of the Christmas season for us. These represent all the celebrations we observe throughout the year. Divine Family, you are generous beyond measure! We want to celebrate your abundance, your lavish love for us. Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost are the peaks of a whole mountain range of celebrations. Spur us on to recognize moments that call for celebration, and help us to enter into them wholeheartedly!

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before God, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
God made us, and we are theirs.
We are God’s people, the sheep of their pasture.
Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving;
go into God’s courts with praise.
Give thanks to God and praise their name.
For the Lord is good.
God’s unfailing love continues forever,
and their faithfulness continues to each generation. (Ps 100)

The Giant Crack

This crack represents all the broken places in our home and in our lives that need healing. Give us strength to stop pretending the cracks aren’t there, or that they aren’t a problem. Give us the mercy to treat ourselves with gentleness. Guide us to the skilled minds and hands that will help us do what is necessary to bring healing to the brokenness. And flood us with joy when we are faithful to the work you have called us to, with healing and wholeness as the reward.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do,
everywhere you go;
God’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honour God with everything you own. (Pr 3:5-9)

To End

May the door of my inner home be wide enough
to receive those who hunger for kindness,
those who are lonely,
or isolated from friendship.

May it welcome those who have cares
to unburden,
thanks to express,
hopes to nurture.

May the door of my heart
be narrow enough to shut out
pettiness and pride, envy, and enmity.

May the door of my heart be
closed to self-righteousness, selfishness,
and harshness.

May its threshold be no stumbling block
to receiving those who are different than I am.

May my inner home be for all who enter,
the doorway to spiritual richness and a more
meaningful life.

(The Siddur of Shir Chadash)

 

Photo: The Big Crack – Heather Holtslander