Jesus, my friend and a rooftop

Feb 3/12  Journal entry.

  So, Jesus, I am thinking after reading my friend's email again that it would be pretty cool to meet with both of You for a bit.

   The other day You and I met and entered a new building and room... now even though I think that it will have it's place... it is the small almost hidden door in the back of the room that interests me now. I feel a flush of excitement as I look into Your eyes and get 'the nod'. I grab my friend's hand, encouraging him to follow, as I turn to find out where this will take us. Your hand which has been around his shoulders shifts and you now place both Your hands upon him as You follow him up the very narrow, squeaky, wooden staircase. We reach a sharp U turn and climb the next flight. Although narrow, the height of the stairwell is quite impressive.  Only once on each flight is a soft mellow light gently taking the upper hand on the otherwise deep darkness of this way. At least six flights later I stand on the landing while You come around and take the lead to a hatch up ahead. Your great stride takes in a couple steps at a time as You effortlessly arrive at and push open the hatch above Your head that, I am sure, has not been opened in a very long time. You climb up with ease and turn around to offer a hand.

   ...As You lift me from the dim stairwell onto the roof I feel the great delight of discovery and I scramble to take it all in. I turn to my friend and smile... Jesus and I like edges, ledges, and cliffs of places and things. It doesn't surprise me even a bit as I sweep my arm out displaying the emptiness of this roof ... empty except for one thing.  In this one item I am not surprised but I am deeply moved and recognize Your touch; Your love in it's presence. We walk across the clean but rough surface of the roof towards the couch. It is on the south east corner of the roof. Before we even get there I know... I take my place on the roof's edge, swinging my legs off the south side while my friend and Jesus sit behind me on the couch.

   The couch... huh. It isn't the bench which is almost always associated with the cliff but it is the couch which is now equated with the river. (And has shown up on the river's edge more than a few times.) It is a place of deep love... an invitation to let go of everything and soak into Him. He protects here and loves... sets free and sets ablaze... it is a place of deep communion and in that He ministers but not Him alone, the one He sits with ministers to Him in return as beautifully and naturally as breathing.

Time ceases to mean anything. Whether it flies by or slows downs till it stands still... we sit.