It was still dark as I walked to the guest cafeteria. The Rosemary bush was waiting:
Early morning walk Caressing the Rosemary The day’s first blessing
Later walking to the chapel to chant with the monks and praise God another blessing from Nature:
The path to worship Covered in Honeysuckle Aroma of God
I have always been blessed to experience the beauty and glory of God in Nature. It was no different at Mepkin Abbey whose beautiful grounds boarding on Cooper River afforded ample opportunities for silent meditation.
In blessed silence I heard the presence of God– Music of Nature
I came to the retreat hoping to grow in love for God and acquiring more of the compassion of Jesus. One day I walked in a labyrinth marked off by wildflowers.
In the labyrinth Unbidden a song arose: More love to Thee
In those seven grace-filled days, I also meditated on Scripture. With the psalmist, I learned to sing my own song, “All my life I will sing to you, my Jesus.” Over and over again as I read in the Gospels, I experienced the glad-hearted kindness of Jesus.
Blessed are the kind For they are children of God Kindness is divine
I was loved by God on this retreat and I returned home with more love and compassion for others–at least for a time. The ordinary world often makes compassion difficult, doesn’t it? So, my growth in love and compassion is far from complete. But in that wonderful retreat perhaps I sprouted a new blossom or two.
Trust in God’s slow work Transformation takes ages For each one of us
Addendum:
- As always, as you are moved, you may share this with others.
- If you are interested in retreats you may check out this web site: http://www.theanchorage.org.
Pathways to God 