“I was naked and you clothed me.” Matthew 25.36

There are seasons in my life of emotional, psychological  and spiritual vulnerability. Times when I am experiencing  what C.S. Lewis called: “God’s severe mercy.” False gods die. False selves are exposed. False motivations revealed. I am naked.

This psychological nakedness is mysterious and inscrutable because it can’t be seen. I may seem to be functioning at a very high level, fulfilling all my obligations and meeting my responsibilities while within me everything seems to be in ruins, a spiritual wasteland. The only thing that can clothe this nakedness is love–Christ’s love –and the unconditional acceptance of a community like Beloved. That has been my experience since I arrived  at Beloved last summer. This community has clothed me. And though the clothes are not fancy, just wash and wear, that suites me just fine. I’ll come as I am and be eternally grateful.

-Palmer