"For St. Francis, nature itself was a mirror for the soul, for self, and for God."
Fr. Richard Rohr, Daily Meditation, June 2, 2017
One thing that is so clear to me on retreat, is the indwelling presence of God in all around me. Every creature (yes, even the snake!) spoke of God to me, from the deer to the teeny, tiny little gnat that landed on the page of my book. God is present in the big and the little, the gorgeous to observe and the scary. And I certainly didn't leave God at the hermitage. Just as I sit and type this I hear the birds outside and the wind is rustling the lilac bushes in my backyard. That is the presence of God to me. Fr. Richard Rohr refers to creation as the "First Bible," and I totally see how and why. Nature shows us the indwelling of the spirit of God in each living thing. Let's keep our eyes and ears open this June weekend and recognize God in every living thing...including our neighbor! Love, heidi
Friday, June 2, 2017
Thursday, June 1, 2017
A much needed Re-boot
"I set the Lord ever before me;
With him at my right hand I shall never be disturbed.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too,
abides in confidence."
Psalm 16:8-9
"Disturbed" is a nice way of putting it. I have been "disturbed" for six months and it's put me in a real funk. I haven't been myself; usually quite optimistic and cheerful., I found myself feeling dour and hopeless. I needed a reboot and the hermitage was just the place! I saw a brand new fawn on its birthday. I watched an iris flower show me the Pascal Mystery on one stem...life, death and resurrection. I saw wary little bunnies, who weren't quite sure of me, but weren't terrified either. And, perhaps the greatest lesson of all, I was scared to death by a bull snake, who wanted to teach me to let go of fear and embrace what is. Creation around the hermitage is lesson enough, but I also read two wonderful books: "Forgiveness--Following Jesus into Radical Love," by Paula Huston, and another also by Paula, "By Way of Grace--Moving From Faithfulness to Holiness." I love how generous Paula Huston is, sharing her own foibles and how she learns and grows through them. I was telling son Blaine that going on retreat at the hermitage is much like going to The Shack...the company is fabulous, although I did have to do my own cooking! If you would like more information on Marymount Hermitage, click the link...Love, heidi
Marymount Hermitage
With him at my right hand I shall never be disturbed.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too,
abides in confidence."
Psalm 16:8-9
"Disturbed" is a nice way of putting it. I have been "disturbed" for six months and it's put me in a real funk. I haven't been myself; usually quite optimistic and cheerful., I found myself feeling dour and hopeless. I needed a reboot and the hermitage was just the place! I saw a brand new fawn on its birthday. I watched an iris flower show me the Pascal Mystery on one stem...life, death and resurrection. I saw wary little bunnies, who weren't quite sure of me, but weren't terrified either. And, perhaps the greatest lesson of all, I was scared to death by a bull snake, who wanted to teach me to let go of fear and embrace what is. Creation around the hermitage is lesson enough, but I also read two wonderful books: "Forgiveness--Following Jesus into Radical Love," by Paula Huston, and another also by Paula, "By Way of Grace--Moving From Faithfulness to Holiness." I love how generous Paula Huston is, sharing her own foibles and how she learns and grows through them. I was telling son Blaine that going on retreat at the hermitage is much like going to The Shack...the company is fabulous, although I did have to do my own cooking! If you would like more information on Marymount Hermitage, click the link...Love, heidi
Marymount Hermitage
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