Friday, February 7, 2014

Dust Makers

Do I HAVE to take a bath?




Do I really trust God?  Do I have total faith in Him and in his love for me?

As much as I'd like to answer those questions with a big fat YES, I can't do that. I WANT this total faith and perfect love... but I just don't have it yet. I have faith and love but it's not perfected yet.

"Perfect love casts out fear."

Simply put ... I have fears. And what are fears but little pockets of despair that need casting out?

Fears that I fear "Perfect Love" has not yet rid me of.

Mostly I fear my own obstinacy. I see certain attachments so clearly and still procrastinate in ridding myself of them.  I'm afraid I'll get caught with my hand in the cookie jar.

 Because, as St. Augustine so bluntly eloquently puts it, "Having You, I might have naught besides."

Naught. Nothing. A big fat zero of nothingness. And that I'll have to wait for years in this state of nothingness until the Lord sees fit to end the nothing period and fill me so full of Himself that the nothing disperses into everything.I wonder if I'm the only person on the planet with this fear? I hope nobody answers that.

So I cling to my "somethings". I call them my little "dust makers".

Because that is what they'll eventually be, right?

 Dust. I cling to dust. Though I must admit that chocolate flavored dust is especially yummy. If I graciously thank the Lord for it often enough I wonder if He'll excuse my over consumption of this very fine dust product.

A bigger fear?

That I won't detach myself from all these little dust makers in time and I'll go before the Lord and clouds of lingering dust will surround AND trail my soul.

Kind of like Pigpen from Peanuts.

And my biggest fear?

The Lord will cough and choke out, "Let's get you off into Purgatory and give you a nice bath!"

And that the "bath" water will be too hot.

Just sayin'.

Okay! Nice and clean! You can come out now!




17 comments:

  1. I'm intrigued about the last picture. Is it meant to be Purgatory? Whose open mouth is that?

    When we ask God for more Faith, He does not give us more Faith, but He gives us situations in life where our Faith grows.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Victor,
    It's supposed to be purgatory but the artist situated it in "Hell's Mouth" I think. I forgot to place my photo credit up so I'll go check and let you know. Be right back!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Victor, I am guessing it is the devil's mouth? Here's the link:
      http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hellmouth.jpg
      So it's called Hellmouth but listed under purgatory. Kind of a freaky painting, isn't it?

      Delete
    2. Whatever it is I think he needs a better mouthwash. His breath alone has disentagrated the peoples' clothing!

      Delete
  3. Lol! Good one, Victor!! Maybe "Halitosis Hell" would be a better name for this painting. I don't think a little "Binaca Blast" would work in this case though. Though that stuff would peel the wallpaper right off the wall...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just had another thougth ... and moving away from the topic of your post ... when we die do we get to spend eternity with the clothes we've been buried in? And do we need to wear underwear when we're dead?

      The people in your picture have set my mind thinking ... surely they were buried with their clothes on? Are there fig leaves in Purgatory?

      Delete
  4. Gee, I sure hope not, Victor! I hate the current (uncomfortable) clothes of today! Thankfully, I DO know the answer to your question. No fig leaves necessary -they go to Robes R Us, located at Paradise Mall, 333 Milky way Rd. You'll see a sign for it 3 exits past the sun. Hope this helps!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope by Robes R Us you mean proper robes/gowns and not those gowns they give you in hospital open at the back. I hate them!

      I'll write to the address you gave me for a catalogue.

      Delete
  5. No, but I think those gowns can be purchased at Jezebel Jones Fashions located at Sheol Shores Shopping Center, 666 Beezlebub Hub Way. I heard that there is a helluva sale going on right now. People should be warned that the store is on a busy one way street though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I told a nurse that the gown open at the back was embarassing she suggested I wore it back to front. That was much better!

      Where's everyone else? We seem to be the only ones posting here. I hope they are all praying for time off Purgatory for us!

      God bless.

      Delete
  6. Where's everyone else?
    Shopping and flipping through catalogues I suspect.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Well, I'm here, cracking up over the dialogue between you and Victor!!! LOL! I've always admired Our Lady's clothes in her various apparitions.... There must be a closet somewhere in Heaven ;)

    What a funny post about a very important topic, dear Mary. I too am very dusty. I never thought about it before as making Jesus cough and choke! How dreadful! I need a bath. I hope to get at least a bit cleaner before leaving here. It's amazing how we know all this stuff but still hang onto the dust! I'd be okay if God would just assure me that a couple of certain things aren't going to happen. How's that for total trust ;)
    Love you, Mary...and your sense of humor is priceless!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Patricia,
      Oh yes, I'd be okay if God would assure me of a few things too! So, I can relate. But when you think about it I bet you have noticed a great deal of growth in trust compared to ten years ago! And like you, I'd like to get a bit (okay, a lot) cleaner before I leave here. Don't want to be purchasing my "eternity wear" at Sheol Shores...

      Thanks for commenting, Patricia! Sending you my love as well!

      Delete
  8. I love the imagery. Trying to clean house today... That's where evryone else is. me I'm letting the dust settle in, I kind of like it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Anabelle,
    Now that you mention it I should probably be doing that myself instead of poking around on the computer : Heading your way in a few so don't let things get too dusty please!

    Thanks for commenting!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very interesting post and analogy Mary! God Bless.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lol...thanks for putting up with me, Michael :) God bless you too.

    ReplyDelete