Through The Square Window

Thomas Hardy's first career was as an architect. He designed his house at Max Gate - and involved the family business in its construction. The Hardy Brickworks made the materials, and the Hardy Builders put the place up. His father declared that Thomas was 'the most difficult client he had ever worked for'
As we went round on Tuesday, the guides were quick to point out special features that Hardy had insisted be put in - sliding screens in the dining room windows, so passers by could not see him eating, and internal windows round the servants' staircase to allow more light into the upstairs corridors, and many other details.
But the one that interested me was the large window in his study. J M Barrie, the Scottish writer had said of Hardy "He looks through a window and sees things that nobody else sees"

If you look at the window behind his desk, you will see that each of the four sections has 12 small square panes, surrounding one larger square pane.
The guide pointed this out to me. He said "Hardy chose the clear centre panes deliberately. He wanted to see what was in the world outside and not be distracted by having to focus on the cross in the middle of the frame in front of him "
The guide then changed the subject and started talking about the problems in the Hardy's marriage - Emma was a devout woman of faith, but Hardy had no time for all that. Sadly it was only after her death that he realised how much he had loved her.
It is only two weeks till Easter. It occurs to me that as a Christian, my world view is affected by what happened on Good Friday- that as I focus on the Cross and God's grace, this is not a distraction, but rather a way to make sense of it all. The Way, the Truth and the Life.