Ephphatha could not contain her excitement, He was finally coming to visit her in her home, she had spent twenty-three years of her life getting ready for the visit, she changed the curtains sixty-two times, changed the rug thirty-eight times and changed the paintings only five hundred times. As the day drew closer, she was adding the finishing touches. She cleaned and scrubbed the walls of the parlor until they dared her to touch them one more time and they would let go of each other and fall like pack of cards, she had changed the furniture in the dining room so much that the floor warned her to dare screech anything on them again and they would open up and swallow her, she had spent an unhealthy amount of time shining her chinaware, she had even cleaned the made in china sign off them, they told her that if she wiped one more time, they would break. She made the bed several times until the bed made it a habit of throwing her off itself while she was asleep, she would wake up -make the bed again, and then go back to sleep, the pillows wept on how often she was throwing away their sheets, they could not stand it anymore. So, that night as she slept-they had a small meeting.

'Who exactly did you say He was again that was coming ?" The dining room asked furiously.

'My dear, they say His name is I am' The walls replied

'The 'I am' ?' The cups asked with wide eyes. 'How sure are you?" They inquired.

'Have you forgotten that the walls have ears?' They all rolled their eyes at the terrible joke.

'Seriously guys, I heard when he called her, she said it was Him'

'Wow guys, if it is The 'I am' that I have in mind then I don't even think she has cleaned us well enough!' The walls added.

'Did you guys notice that she didn't open the basement? Wouldn't he like to look at it?' The plates asked.

'Hm, you know how she gets about that room and what it holds' The chairs chipped in.

'I guess we'll just have to see, light has not been in that room since she turned twelve'

They ended their meeting and went back to being plates and spoons and walls that did not have ears.

The day had come, Ephphatha got up as early as 4 am and did more scrubbing, the garden told her that if she cut them one more time, they would cut her back- she laughed at what she thought was a joke. Last minute she changed the paint from crimson to snow white, changed the furniture again, and switched out the bulb 'Which light can I use that will be brighter than light himself?' She knew she wouldn't find anything better so she let them stay, they sighed in relief.

The time was unknown, she didn't know when He would come so she stood outside prepared. When it was soon, He appeared.

'I am!' she cried out and went out, He welcomed her with the widest smile she had ever seen, she didn't want to let go from the hug.

'I am- let's go inside, there is so much to show!' she squeaked excitedly and dragged him by the hand, He obliged, laughing.

The first room she showed Him was the parlor 'I am, these are all my awards for being the best doctor in the world, look at all my certificates- I have a PhD, I reached the peak of my career, I found the cure for cancer and covid' she went and on 'I did it all with your wisdom of course' she added. I am clapped for her.

They walked into the next room 'The dining area - I can cook everything and anything, I have learned how to fend for myself, I know how to create culinary masterpieces-boil, fry, steam, and even bake - I know you like bread and I have made it from scratch just for you'

'Very impressive' I am gave her a pat on the back.

They advanced to the bedroom 'I am' she started.

'Here is my prayer closet and I spend a total of 25 hours a day in prayer, worship, and fasting- I pray for the missionaries, I pray for dying children, I pray for the less privileged, I pray for the advancement of your kingdom- I go to church everyday, I evangelize every minute and I give 99.9% of my income to the church' she smiled and waited for the praise.

'Wow' I am told her, He smiled - it warmed her heart.

They came out of the bedroom, she started to motion for them to go to the study room so she could show him all her theology books. Something caught I am's eye.

'Beloved, what is in that room?' He pointed to the padlocked door with injuries all over.

Her face became red, she ran and stood in front of the door- guarding it with her hands.

'I-I-I'ts n-othing' She stuttered.

'Beloved' He called her.

'It-t's nothing - let us go to the study please' She could feel the tears forming, her heart beating and her breadth fading.

'Open up beloved, Let me see' He came close, and as she looked into his eyes- she saw peace, she could not say no to him- she stared at the ground, she knew that opening the door was like ripping off the band-aid from a fresh wound- she moved aside gently and allowed I am open the door. As he pulled the handle, the rumble inside the room came crashing out, filling the whole house with its filth, it flowed from upstairs, into the bedroom, to the study, the dining, the parlor even the garden.

The chairs, bed, and plates gasped.

Ephaphatha covered her face and cried in embarrassment.

I am looked around, it was the room where she had hidden all her trauma, unresolved feelings, fear of love, fear of commitment, her failed attempts at relationships- she had never opened the door, underestimating the amount of filth that had gathered.

'What now? You have seen it all the filth, the pain, the fear, you're probably disappointed' She cried and wailed as she felt the bandaid being pulled the more.

'Beloved' I am called her. She looked up at him, waiting for his rebuke- anticipating his disappointment

'This is exactly what I came for - and the bread of course- Get the broom, we have work to do and I cannot wait to get started' He smiled at her. She nodded and got up.