A bit of blogging this week as I am on a mini vacation, which I need very much. I am on Saint Simons Island GA; those of you who know me, know my story here...maybe I'll tell it again later in the week. This blurry picture is the only one I could find on the web of something I saw today that was very interesting (I could not find my digital camera which had shifted to the bottom of my rolling backpack). I saw the sign , which says "Meditation Room" in the Jacksonville airport...and I was fascinated---both with the name of the room, and with the little person icon that is representing that this is a meditation room. As you can see, the little person icon is plainly kneeling. It isn't a picture of hands clasped in prayer or pointing toward heaven; not a picture of the five major religions symbols; not a picture of a pointy steeple or rounded mosque. It is a kneeling person. I looked in to see what manner of room this meditation room might be, and, to my chagrin, when I peered around the corner, on the door which I supposed led to the meditation room, I saw the words "Airport Chapel"...is chapel a Christian word? Any-hoo, the room actually did look inviting, with cushioned chairs (no kneelers I could see, though); soft lighting; some religious books around.
Kneeling. The little person icon is kneeling. We UMCers kneel---at least some of us, praise God, still kneel for communion (I have seen older folks cry when, for the first time, their knees will no longer let them kneel at the altar rail for communion); adults and youth usually kneel at baptism or at confirmation; those being ordained kneel; pastors sometimes kneel in prayer before the congregation; we kneel at healing services; we kneel when we get married (sometimes); I kneel when I go to Jacob's Well after the eucharist, though I don't think anyone else does. It fascinates me somehow that the meditation room is represented by kneeling figure, for some reason. If there were a prayer position for Lent, it would be kneeling. Knowing it is not we that made us, we bow in praise and thanksgiving---but mostly we kneel, I think, in order to show our souls contrite, sorry for the sin that long lingers in our souls, and knowing our need for God's grace. Kneeling in an airport meditation room might be a very good idea---and not just for those afraid of flying. For that fleeting moment this afternoon, in the midst of being very tired, of trying to hurry to get my bags, in the midst of thoughts about a called session of annual conference and appointments not yet made (I know I am on vacation, but...); in the midst of all of that, I shoulda NOT just looked in that room, but gone in and knelt before God my maker with joy and thanksgiving, and with my contrite heart, asking forgiveness for those thoughts and feelings which are not really worthy of a call to a higher life, and to experience anew God's saving grace. Maybe I'll do that on Thursday when I return to the airport---I have a feeling there still will be a need.
3 comments:
neat-o! would they have a genuflect sign too?
I remember that room. Especially when I was flying to and from Lexington and Chicago from Jacksonville, interviewing at seminaries.
We need to get on our knees more often before the staggering majesty of God. If I were planting a church, I might get pews with kneelers.
Susan,
Good to hear from you. I Hope you have a refreshing time. May the wind of God sweep over your soul. May the wind clean you out and fill you up at the same time.
I think I need that sign right above the coffee pot.
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