Sidewalk
"This is my Father’s world.
Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground."
- Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901
The ordinary sidewalk in front of our apartment is one of utmost significance. To our Julia, that sidewalk was her space. It was where she confidently dribbled her soccer ball. It was where she made sure every sprinkler was pushed down into its proper place. It was where she practiced pushing her "wheels," a.k.a. her doll stroller without a doll. It was where she took in the magic of Christmas lights. It was her access to our neighbors' porches and their pumpkins and Easter bunnies. It was where she jumped in puddles and where she watched the lawn mower.
Julia helped us to see that the sidewalk is not ordinary. It is remarkable.
Sometimes in moments of sadness, I wonder, is life on earth just about counting down the days until heaven? But I think God feels about earth the same way Mike and I feel about that sidewalk now. Earth is not ordinary to God. It is remarkable to God because it's where Jesus made his space. That means when he thinks of earth and all of us and everything on it, he cannot forget us. No, his stomach swells with emotion beyond words when he considers us. Earth is his sacred space.
Sacred Spaces
I walked by the fire pit today
And I was remembering you there
Bouncing a ball
Melting my heart with your smile
Enjoying the sun
Pointing out the birds
And the “happycopter” flying above
You’d walk around and touch all the sprinklers and lights
I miss us being together
I kissed my fingers and then touched where you once sat
It is now a sacred space
I see sacred spaces everywhere-By Michael Aalseth (Daddy)