Desperation

Teach me and I shall live.

This quiet sense of desperation sometimes meets me there in my seat, and whenever we repeat this line I remember it. I’ll die if he doesn’t teach me how to live. I’m dying in a way already, I feel that in my bones some mornings when I awake. He teaches and I look the other way. Here, reminded, I look ahead. My eyes trace the crimson stain that bleeds on the edge of the grain of that one odd brick in the wall and somehow I know he is teaching me this life even as I sit here, still, out of place, in the quiet.

Teach me and I shall live.

                                                                                — Making Headroom, Week 20

This entry was posted on 2012/03/26 by . It was filed under Faith, Making Headroom, Quiet, Spiritual Practice and was tagged with , .

12 Responses

  1. Sheila Seiler Lagrand

    Lyla,

    This one feels like you’ve been rummaging around in my brain.

    Thank you, no, bless you, for it.

    2012/03/26 at 9:39 AM

    Reply
    • Lyla Lindquist

      I’m glad it spoke, Sheila.

      2012/03/26 at 6:29 PM

      Reply
      • Sheila Seiler Lagrand

        Oh, yes. It spoke.

        2012/03/26 at 10:50 PM

        Reply
  2. pastordt

    So thankful when you post pieces of that other place in this one. Loved this when I read it there – love it here just as much. Thank you.

    2012/03/26 at 10:46 AM

    Reply
    • Lyla Lindquist

      Thanks, Diana. I’m finding these little snippets that jump back out at me when I go back and look at the weekly posts and they actually surprise me on the second reading. And I was there!

      2012/03/26 at 6:30 PM

      Reply
  3. deidrariggs

    Lyla. Look at that. Short. Beautiful. Profound.

    Amen.

    2012/03/26 at 11:24 AM

    Reply
    • Lyla Lindquist

      I’m learning, my friend. Slowly, surely. Slowly…

      2012/03/26 at 6:30 PM

      Reply
  4. ljbmom

    Putting that piece in its context was just what my heart needed today. I’m so behind on the things the world keeps track of, but He has taught me so much about living these past couple days. I will be repeating these lines as my mantra today. THank you.

    2012/03/26 at 11:44 AM

    Reply
    • Lyla Lindquist

      Me too, Laura. Way behind. But I keep discovering that these other things, they can matter so much more.

      2012/03/26 at 6:32 PM

      Reply
  5. Nancy

    Listen to you, engaging the brothers in friendly banter.

    “Listening. Not seeing, not touching. But feeling, yes.” And eyes burning at words meant to call out blessing.

    Life giving teaching, indeed.

    2012/03/26 at 12:32 PM

    Reply
    • Lyla Lindquist

      I have to be reminded of their ordinary-ness. Otherwise I start to think they are someone else, not quite like us inside.

      I just started realizing these past few weeks there how I don’t function by sight there as much as by hearing. I respond to sounds but my gaze is fixed ahead. I’m not sure why.

      2012/03/26 at 6:33 PM

      Reply
  6. Redemption's Beauty

    I agree with Deidra. So much said, so simply. I am trying to learn this too. Thought provoking and inspiring Lyla, as usual!

    2012/03/27 at 9:10 AM

    Reply

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