Bread for the Journey

I just returned from a road trip; this one like no other I’ve experienced before. On this adventure, I learned a new language. The language of labyrinths: lunations, petals, walls, mouth, circuit, path. While on vacation, sometimes I get a sunburn, or hiking in the mountains my feet may get blisters. Working on the labyrinth, I experienced soreness in muscles never felt before. Kneeling day after day on a floor hiding hard concrete underneath, I was grateful for knee pads. Sometimes pilgrims demonstrate their faith by journeying on their knees. Some travel for miles to basilicas and shrines praying for healing, following a faithful tradition, and as an act of thanks to God. Sometimes our journey is painful. When we walk alongside others who are wounded or in need of prayer, we can help each other heal by sharing our story.

Today, returning “home” from this part of the trip, I think back on new friends made along the way. I think back on many hours of hard work. And I look ahead with anticipation for the next part of the journey with God guiding our steps.

Our labyrinth is completed and I am full of joy and exhaustion! With gratitude for many, many things: Over five days, thirty people ages 13 to 80, moving cinder blocks, attaching tarp clips and bungee cords to pull the 26′ octagonal canvas taut, measuring and locating the center and perpendicular lines, cutting templates with X-Acto knives, tracing designs onto canvas, erasing designs from canvas, re-tracing designs onto canvas, taping around lines, painting, and removing tape to reveal the finished creation of walkable art, and one of our pastors arriving at the perfect moment to bless the labyrinth before storing it for the first “walk” on June 10. So many hours and long days. Yes, I did wonder if it was worth the effort. Now: 100% YES!!! The love, excitement, and fun we had! The new things we learned. The bonds created between old and new friends. Would I make another labyrinth? I am not prepared to answer that question just yet. Maybe ask me next year.

We finished painting! I was not very hopeful as we still had quite a bit of taping to do. But people kept arriving to help throughout the day. What a blessing. Sunday we remove the tape and touch up a few spots.

Stories. That is what this canvas holds. Stories and prayers. As we worked on the labyrinth we met strangers who became friends. We shared silence, music, and stories with each other. We wrote prayers, favorite scripture passages, and messages of hope on areas of the canvas that were eventually painted over. The canvas fibers of this labyrinth will forever keep these words as people walk its path for many years. One who walks it will never journey alone.

Day one was filled with trepidation. Day two we had more confidence despite disappointment from mistakes and redoing lines. Today, day three of labyrinth creation, I’m worn out yet energized. Is that a thing? If I’m excited and convicted about something, I will do all it takes to make it happen. I try to live with balance in all I do, but I know my scale will tip to one side at times. When this happens, whatever I am working on becomes something greater than I can comprehend. I’m amazed at all the wonderful people who are working so hard on this project. We finished tracing and are halfway done with taping. Tomorrow we paint!

What would I do without erasers? One thing I know is that tracing 10 foot templates onto 26 foot labyrinth canvas would take ten times as long if erasers did not exist. That’s what happens when templates slide and tracings don’t line up. Not good. We want to walk complete paths, not ones that veer off the canvas! Well wait. That could be symbolic of our lives. So if we do have a path that swings out too far or becomes narrow at times, so be it. Imperfections remind us that none of us is perfect. My takeaway from today is not the mistakes we made, but observing the hard work of many people who helped on this project. Some for 30 minutes, others for two or more hours, and one for ten!!! I am inspired by these wonderful people; each sharing various gifts to make sure this project comes to completion. Thanks be to God!

Whew! We rolled out the canvas, found the center, pulled all edges taut, and began work on cutting and tracing templates. As suspected, this is labyrinth talk. By evening our bodies and minds were ready for a break. It will be a new day tomorrow.

Speaking of taking a break, the last time I had a massage my shoulders were full of knots. I was thankful for the person who could “undo” my knotty muscles. There are similarities between knots and the twists and turns of a labyrinth. If my mind is full of knots when entering the path, I usually experience more peace and clarity by the time I wind back out. It seems to me that Mary Untier of Knots also had an important role. I can be like this saint by listening to others with a willing ear; helping that person to experience rest and relief for their body and soul. The best massage ever!

Someone told me their child ate a crayon. The closest I’ve come to eating a crayon is chewing on those wax soda bottles filled with pastel liquid. But I have a crayon story too. While on a retreat I was asked to select a crayon from a large assortment, write down the name of the color, and describe its characteristics in the first person point of view. “I am Cerulean Blue. I am the color of the ocean and the sky. I feel peaceful and calm.” Then I was invited to replace the crayon’s name with my own name and notice the similarities. Many times I make choices based on how comfortable it makes me feel, though I do try to switch things up a bit. I recently selected a color to paint the labyrinth “walls,” but I consulted with several other members before making the final decision. The final choice…stop by church on Saturday to see! I’ll give you a hint. It’s in the blue family.

This week I am focused on one thing; the colossal labyrinth project. Yesterday my friend told me that the most meaningful things in life are the ones that begin with some level of fear and challenge. Yes and yes. As my office accumulates more and more alien objects such as drafting pencils, seam rollers and ginormous templates, each day fills with a bit more trepidation. I got myself into this mess. But with the help of others I trust that God will provide what we need. Our labyrinth won’t be perfect, but neither is faith. This painted canvas path will be filled with character reflecting those of us who create it with the work of our hands. All are invited to participate in this unique masterpiece of walkable art and prayer. Come and follow me as we journey together. All are welcome.

I took a class on planting succulents a few weeks ago; it was held inside a coffee shop. Both plant and latte look quite succulent I think. I like that these plants are so easy to care for. They even keep water on reserve inside their leaves for those desert-dry periods. When I am in need of refreshment in the dry times of life, I hope I have enough provisions of living water to help carry me through. Taking this class reminded me of how important it is to keep our reserves full for the times we will inevitably need to be replenished.

Eat this bread; drink this cup; come to me and never be hungry. Eat this bread; drink this cup; trust in me and you will not thirst. ~Robert Batastini and the Taizé Community

Today I weeded. Hmmm. I am not gifted in gardening, so it’s a challenge for me to tell a weed from a not-so-much weed. I saw purple splendor in the yard. After investigating I realized they were violets, considered “weeds,” but so beautiful! If I’m weeding, but leave a weed in the ground, am I actually weeding? I guess you could call me a confused non-gardener. It make sense to me that anything taking over the garden needs to be removed so it doesn’t keep others from living. Yet some weeds are edible and may also be used in herbal infusions or tea. Weeds will always live in my yard, but I will be attentive to the needs of all plants. Sort of like a balanced garden of Benedictine virtues.

What I do know is that many parts of me need to be removed. These “weeds” are usually apparent, though some are overlooked. I will always carry them, but when I remove the weeds that suffocate new growth, I allow the sun to shine through and good things to grow in their place.