Dry Bones

My daughter, she’s 6 now, has the love language of touch. She adores being cuddled and caressed. She prefers being near in down time; to watch movies, read, or even just to eat dinner, sitting at my side. The physical contact settles her breath and grounds her in a way my words or reason cannot. Attachment theorists refer to this physical touch as a way we remain attuned or connected to one another. She gets this leaning from her mother. Or perhaps, our Golden Retriever.  But sometimes...often...my thought bubbles etch in, “I need some personal space...” Because the cuddling, and the pawing, and the constant closeness, can sometimes feel too much. 

This season of my life, has me thinking about ways that God speaks to us despite the complexities of how we have been created.  The intricacies and the minute detailed wiring of our brain, the vastness and awareness of our minds, the mystery and beauty of our souls, and the power and majesty of our bodies. Each its own entity.  Each its own wonder. Each connected to Him as a source of electricity and life. Each with its own needs and ways of experiencing renewal, of feeling joy, and being at peace in the world and with one another. Staying on top of even one of these areas be it exercise, relational connection, intellectual stimulation, or honing your spiritual life can feel like a full-time job.  We are a complicated bunch. Or perhaps it’s just me.

But sometimes, if we are to be honest, it can all feel too much.  And the pulling up of bootstraps, and the power of positive thinking doesn’t always do justice.  Doesn’t always prevail. On the dark days.  On the weary ones.  In the moments when we feel like dry bones. Dead and vacant. Groundhog day wanderings.  Feeling alone in our strivings. Without hope to muster.

I know about dry bone days.  Dry bone seasons.   I know about gasping for breath.

The good news, or so I’ve learned, is we love a God who is faithful. Who breathes life. Who is all about restoration. Second chances. Third chances. Moments of failure. Weary hearts. Burdened minds. Confused souls. And dry bones.  And He speaks in to all of it.  “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16) 

He tells us He is familiar with our ways.  Our weakness. Our walls. And our weariness. He promises to comfort, to strengthen, to advise, to make new, and in His time, to breathe life into faithless bones. 

Then he said to me, "Speak to these bones and say, 'Dry bones, listen to the word of Lord.  This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to breathe into you and make you live again. I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin.  I will put breath into you, and you will come to life."

~Ezekiel 37: 4-6~