Walking through a Wilderness

  “I believe that this quiet and holy place in us is God’s place and that it is what marks us as God’s.”—Frederick Buechner in ‘Telling Secrets” “We begin to find a source of new life in what the 91 st Psalm calls ‘the secret place of the Most High,’ which I believe dwells in all of us as the image of God and in which I believe some part of all of us dwells…By quieting our minds and keeping still, by praying less in words perhaps than in images, maybe most of all by just letting up on ourselves and letting go, I think we can begin to put ourselves back in touch with that glory and joy we come from and begin moving out of the shadows toward something more like light.”—Frederick Buechner in “Telling Secrets” I haven’t spoken yet about the chronic pain I face but there is distress that is manifested in some part of my body hurting most every day. One of my practices has been to go deep within myself, the place where God dwells, a place where there is peace, wholeness and shalom. A pl

In September 2022, after trying to get to the group home for 6 weeks, I made it! And what a glorious reunion it was. We did all their favorite nonverbal things. There was much grunting and laughter. One of the ladies said she misses me. It was a tender moment. It makes my heart ache how my time was cut short with them. It felt like ministry, being the hands, feet and heart of Christ to them. I am still grieving this loss. She cried when I left. I promised to visit as able, that she will still see me from time to time.   I cried the whole way home. One of the things I am learning about grief, is that it points to love and life. Where there is grief, there was once a good thing. I did good work with the ladies. I can rest knowing the relationship and bonds were solid and good.