Thursday, August 9, 2007

Dearest God,

A quiet self can open doors to sacred mystery.

My daughters and I concluded my personal clergy renewal leave by spending a day and night at a spa and wellness resort out in the country. A beautiful setting, two lakes, a fountain and waterfall, a variety of colorful flowers, birds and butterflies. Peaceful, serene.

The three of us were scheduled to travel together; however, my youngest daughter wound up in the hospital due to pregnancy problems. Not sure how our time together would unfold, at the hospital we determined my middle daughter and I would go ahead together to the countryside of Lebanon and my youngest would come if her doctor would allow it. I called the resort and cancelled my pregnant daughter's spa services. I explained her situation and they were very accomodating.

When Jenni and I arrived we again talked about Jill's situation to the personnel. They were surprisingly caring and sensitive to her need. Unwilling to charge us for her services (although they had a cancellation policy) they were willing to do whatever they could to change the schedule to provide whatever she needed. As it turned out Jill was released a bit stressed out and arrived at the very moment she had been scheduled for her massage. All three of us entered our massage rooms comforted by the fact that you had played a part in bringing us together for this special time apart.

My room was upstairs. Candles burning, fresh roses, soft, meditative music welcomed my own stressed out body, mind and spirit. I climbed onto the table, closed my eyes and drew in breaths of trust. The trained therapist entered the room. I had already told her that I find value in silence along with music when I am having a massage. I was already quiet.

What occurred in the next hour was quite beautiful. As I allowed the music to enter my soul and the therapist into my weary muscles, words began to rise up within me. Hope. Balance. Restoration. Peace. Trust. Faith. They would gently appear, then rise up, higher and higher. As the words began to disappear, I saw flowers blossom and rise up through the earth, beautiful pink petals forming. A quiet breeze began to blow and each flower released its petals, one by one until just the stems stood, moving, dancing with the wind. I fell asleep, at peace with you, myself and the world.

The images that formed in my mind were but a portent of the sacred beauty I find in you, my Sacred, Divine Comforter. I allowed my body, mind and spirit to come together as one. And we danced, quietly, slowly to your heavenly tune. And I found my rest.

Such beauty
lies on the other side
of quiet.
The noise
of the day
acts as an obstacle
to the divine.
But when
quiet is allowed space,
a door opens
to the sacred dimension
of human, divine living.
Here one
can meet God.
A union of spirit
can take place,
a coming together.
The powerful images
spoke peace
to my soul
and I rested
in your shepherd care.

Love, Andrea