Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Dear God,

I long for the monastic experience, the closeness of your living spirit, and the sacred space that bespeaks a life with God.  I can't return to Christ in the Desert Monastery the end of this month because I must go to Maine to close up the house, pack up everything I left behind when I flew home to a sick husband, and drive our car back to Indiana.  I miss the monastic challenge, the silence, and the revelation of surrender.

Every Wednesday my covenant group meets at the local monastery for liturgy, spiritual direction, and faith sharing.  We meet at the monastery because we believe it is the best setting for spiritual growth and practice.  We meet in worship and then find a spiritual room in which to listen, devote, challenge, share, and pray.  It is one of the most important things I do in my life.

I pray for three monasteries every day, the sisters of St. Joseph, Carmel, and St. Benedict and then I pray for all monasteries around the world.  Although I am not catholic by confession, I do have a catholic spirit.  The sisters of each of the three monasteries have taught me so much, challenged me in the depths of my life of faith, and given me countless examples of love, service, mission, and grace. They have lead me to peace numerous times of my life.  They have been my teachers and mentors.  I love them for who and what they are.  I love their devotion, their single focus faith, and their willingness to surrender, sacrifice, and serve.

I was supposed to spend ten days in New Mexico on retreat and I cannot.  I pray for a monastic experience where I am so I may draw closer to you.

Teach me
your way,
Holy God;
draw my heart
closer to you.
Rid me
of spiritual obstacles
so I
may see clearly.
Teach me more
about unconditional love
and grace.
Hold my feet
to the fire
of your
living spirit
so I
may grow
with you,
I pray.

Love, Andrea