You are allowed to take up space.

At the beginning of the month, we spend some time talking about making space. It feels like where we should start, because without making space for ourselves and God, there’s really nowhere for us to go (can’t really talk about making art or contemplative play or spiritual direction if you just won’t make space in your schedule!). But I started wondering if we need to go back even further. What if you don’t even believe you are allowed to take up space?

That question has been sitting with me all week.

Because before we make space for God, we have to remember that God already made space for us. He called us into being. He imagined us. He delights when we show up fully, with our quirks and questions and quiet longings.

Maybe the first act of making space is simply to believe this: you belong here. You’re allowed to take up space in your own life. You don’t have to earn it by being useful or creative or holy enough.

So if you need a place to start this month, start there. Take one deep breath and remember that you are here on purpose, loved and wanted by the One who made space for you before the beginning of time. Everything else can grow from that.