HAVING MY SILENCE AND BREATHING IT TOO

STORY FROM THE DESERT
A brother asked, "I have found a place where my peace is not disturbed by thebrethren; do you advise me to live there?" Abba Poemen replied, "The place for you is where you will not harm the brothers."


MY STORY
A couple of months ago I went to one of my favorite retreat centers to “get away” for a day. When I got there I was so excited for a break- a break from life. I brought my Bible, and a couple of books that I had planned to read while there. After a few hours the excitement began to wear off. I felt kind of alone, a little lonely and my mind began to wander to thoughts of things that I had left undone back home.

Something that I realized was that as much as I desire solitude and silence in my life- I also need the voices, stories, love and affirmation of friends and family. With that comes conflicts, stress, and disagreements. That’s the part I wanted a retreat from. But one can’t have a retreat from the conflicts without retreating from the affirmation and love of others.
When I left the retreat center I left a changed person. I was ready to be back with those I cared for, and minister with- I was ready for both the stories and affirmations and the conflict and stress that life brings.

COME IN HOSPITALITY AND LEAVE IN PEACE

STORY FROM THE DESERT
A brother came to see a certain hermit and, as he was leaving, he said,"Forgive me abba for preventing you from keeping your rule." The hermitreplied, "My rule is to welcome you with hospitality and to send you away inpeace."

MY STORY
As I’ve grown older in my youth ministry I’ve shifted some of my thoughts about why I do what I do. Providing young people a place where they are accepted and can feel a sense of “holy rest” in the presence of loving adults and other young people seems to be a strong motivation. In this fast paced, over-committed society we all need places of “Holy Rest”- a place to simply sit in the presence of God.
I recently spent an entire day with 17 of my church’s 6th grade confirmation class. One of the exercises was to sit in silence listening for God’s voice, and to listen for God’s words to each of us through reading scripture meditatively. It was amazing when this rambunctious group settled in and became very receptive to God’s quiet spirit. Many came to me later and said the experience was cool and really peaceful. My rule was to welcome them with hospitality and send them away with a word from God and in peace.