Desert Journey – Day 34

“Keep your heart open and remember whose you are,” were the words a mother spoke to her son as he departed for a retreat weekend. What a reminder to position the heart to one of receptivity and belonging. What a profound send-off, one I would like to articulate to my children.

I question my heart’s posture this morning. Is it one of receptivity? Do I remember I am a daughter of God? This morning I feel open and confident in my “daughterhood”. Yes, I just made that word up. It does not exist, yet brotherhood, sisterhood, motherhood and fatherhood all do. There is even the word, sonship, the relationship of son to father. Fun fact, it’s a 15th century word.

Back to the heart. My heart was not always receptive and daughterhood not always my identity. It took years of looking into my heart with the Lord, a process that is continuous. I see my heart like a garden and gardens must be cared for. You don’t get a beautiful garden without serious commitment and work, but the outcome of a well cared for garden is extravagant. Isn’t that who God is, extravagant? Why would he make our hearts anything less.

Jesus and I walk along. I sense, the end of desert in the distance. I recall the hesitation I experienced a month ago of entering the desert. There is no hesitation now. My heart is filled with compassion for what Holy Week entails. This Holy Week will be different. There is hope though, as we all know the end of the story. But walking towards the resurrection touches my heart at its deepest place, at its core, and makes it ache. Receptivity and daughterhood makes for a better heart.