As we sat at the breakfast table on the last day of our eight-day silent retreat, the silence was now broken, and we had the opportunity to connect with each other before leaving. One of my fellow retreatants asked those of us sitting at the table, What’s the theory behind silence? She was self-admittingly brand new to this idea, and it was such a heartfelt and honest question. One person explained that silence allowed one to hear…
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I did it again—I planted seeds. And as much as it seems like an invitation to failure, I put those seeds in the ground. Starting is easy, but seeing it through is the real challenge. Why do I keep planting when I know I will need to focus on this effort for the next few months? The blossoms’ beauty outweighs the daily gardening maintenance, so I persist. When the light lengthens and the day warms,…
Leave a CommentThis past weekend was a whirlwind of joy and celebration. We set off from Maryland early in the morning to attend a wedding in Pennsylvania, a journey of over two hours. Afterward, we eagerly rushed to join the rest of our family back in Maryland, helping our son and daughter-in-law settle into their new home. As we gathered at a nearby mall to share dinner, I overheard one of my sons discussing a plan with…
3 CommentsMany of you are aware that I’ve been pursuing my education. I’m nearing the completion of a certificate in spiritual direction this month. The question I’ve encountered most frequently is, “What exactly is spiritual direction?” It’s a genuine question, understandable given the somewhat authoritative sound of the term “director.” As I began offering spiritual direction, I noticed a common misconception among those pursuing spiritual direction. They often expected answers from me, whereas my role primarily…
2 CommentsWhen I was a young mom with several children, I remember earnestly going to an older mom who looked like she had her act together and asking how she did it. I recall getting a vague blank look in return with the unsatisfactory reply, ” I don’t know. You don’t know! How can you not know? I was being denied. Or at least I thought so at the time. This week, Gary and I will…
2 CommentsBack in December, I attended a silent retreat. While this was not my first silent retreat, it was my husband Gary’s. I convinced him to join me. I heard much scoffing about going on a silent retreat as a couple, but that did not deter me. I was eager for Gary to experience what I had experienced during my silent retreats. All my prior silent retreats had been held through Catholic centers, and this one…
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