We have had the privilege of having many guests into our home since BJ passed. His friends, our friends, and both combined. The fellowship we have enjoyed has been very precious to us. Most of our time is spent in either the kitchen or the great room. However, we occasionally head to the back of the house, and relax in the den. The den is situated in front of BJ's room. Often our guests are drawn into that place.

When he was with us, that room was a haven for him. A place he could escape his frustrations, play his favorite music loud without bothering us, play his video games, draw, study God's Word, worship, and pray. He made good use of that room... his room... his quiet place.

Entering that room remains a significant part of our lives. When we need to feel his presence, we enter. When we need to remember, we go in. When we need to release our pent up emotions, we fall down and let go by his bed. There is no question, that we feel him near, in there.

I have noticed that when others enter that room, what they experience is significant. To some it brings closure. To others, laughter at memories they have of things that reside there or events brought back to mind. Still others quickly discover their tears where they did not expect to find them. Even more, remove their shoes, get on their faces, and share in the presence of God, and the memories of a young man so committed to Christ. Though it is very strange to write or read, it has in fact felt like, Holy ground.

Noone has left unmoved. Most have stated that it was harder than they expected... more emotional, but they were glad they entered in.

Thus is the room in our house where our son resided, where the presence of the Lord still has dominion.

I cannot tell you how hard it is going to be to leave that room behind, knowing we will never set up another room for him to inhabit. It makes me sick to my stomach, even as I think about it.

How much more then do I Praise our God, that He has created a room in it's place. He did so before my son ever even entered his room. He did so with us in mind.

It is a beautiful room, adorned with the sweet presence of Christ Jesus! Physically, the way it appears is beyond fair description. Just to know that His presence is always there, is descriptive enough. It is Holy ground, but you don't need to remove your shoes. It will cause you to fall to your knees, but not out of ritual or rite... but out of communion with the risen Christ, and the desperation that beckons Him near from within the cry of your soul.

It is a room that is different in every home, though it serves the same purpose. How we decorate it, is a direct result of the depth of our love for Him. We cannot fill it with gold or silver, or fine linens or perfumes.

We fill it from a heart broken for Christ, from the heart of a servant who does not care to better his own disposition, but only to share the love of the Master.

This room is within you and within me. It is the temple of the Holy Spirit. He resides there, and I can go there to feel His presence. I can go there to remember. I can even go there to release pent up emotion, as I pour my heart out to the only One who can truly understand.

Jesus, I love you!!!

brent