I've put down everything to read this book and honestly I cannot believe I haven't read it before. I think that it has been buried in my Amazon wish list waiting for the time to be right. In this year of discernment for me, of course, it is exactly the right time.
I've pretty much fallen in love with every spiritual group and their words I have read so far. It doesn't seem to matter which rule of life they follow. When they are following their hearts and that still quiet voice what comes forth is magic. Having read countless books by Quaker authors, recently my reading has turned to the Catholics through reading the stories of the Saints and the works of Jesuit Father James Martin.
Kathleen Norris was not Catholic during her stay at Saint John's Abbey, but goodness her poetic musings have me falling in love with the Benedictines as well. I feel myself drawn more and more to spending some time in retreat this year among a contemplative group. There is something about the simplicity and the schedule that appeals to me. Perhaps more than anything it's the appeal of a time of silence away from the distractions of current life that I am yearning for.
I've never been able to pinpoint exactly what faith road to follow. I've always been able to find some offense in doctrine somewhere, but I have been drawn more and more to these contemplative communities. People scoff at my love and aspirations of being a nun, and truly I don't feel that is my course, but there is something to being a woman religious, an oblate, or simply a spiritual woman of service. No matter what calling I end up following, I do know that when I picture my future, I see a quiet simple life full of prayer, contemplation and the giving of much kindness. I don't think it gets any simpler than that.
I am still discerning. The beautiful words of Brother Lawrence, James Martin and now Kathleen Norris have been a welcome addition on my journey this year.
