The Tile Floor

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

            No doubt you look at yourself in the mirror every day and see your hair growing more gray, or seeing the life-lines etching your face.  Do you ever look into your own eyes-the windows of your soul?  Can you still see the reflection of God’s image there? 

            Every day now, I walk on a smooth cold hard surface—a new tile floor which is constantly sending back to me images of myself growing older—yup!  There I am again!  Am I any better today than I was yesterday—moving forward, or am I retreating?  These tile squares keep looking back at me!  See and read Sister Taylor’s “The Tile Floor,” attached.   

Love, George & Debbie

GT & DT 

The Tile Floor

I am sitting in the lobby of the new Philippine Missionary Training Center looking down the hall at the beige porcelain tiled floor. I can see the reflected lights above and almost see my own reflection.  It is so beautiful!

I remember seeing the workers spreading out the leveling compound to cover any divots, holes or uneven heights in the concrete floor. They then spread the adhesive with a notched trowel and carefully laid each tile in place, starting at the center quadrant working out in a straight line towards the wall, leveling as they went. The final step was to use a rubber float to apply a darker grout between each tile.

As I looked at the floor I wondered how many knees had bowed and backs bent to perform this labor. I am profoundly inspired by the effort of these men.  As I walk from tile to tile. I pray to rededicate myself to be so square and true to the Lord.

Debra S. Taylor, January 2012