Letters from the Monastary: Friends

I met your friends today. Perhaps they are my brothers , sisters, mamas and papas, cousins that you whispered about to me . You are always whispering about this or that which I encounter. , Even today, a tree, a flower , a bird and a neighbor’s puppy , you say “look here look there, look what I made for you. “ But I don’t listen to you always. I think certainly they are there for me . But , in my not listening to you , I think mostly of me and them . I think not often enough of you and that you made them. But , late when Im tired, I snuggle next to you , resting , I hear you whisper and see you smile , “these were for you my child that you may delight and smile back at me” Here I remember , the bird sings , the tree gains root, the flower blooms and the puppy bounce all at your word.

Today , I am especially smiling . I am writing to you a smile. For I have now found the friends that you had made. They were waiting and wandering and wondering ,like me ,for your whisper . We all were waiting at the monastary. Bright faces of all colors and textures . Beautiful bright faces blooming and bouncing and beholding at your word.

Together , We sat in a circle and chatted about your story of The Son and the woman at the well. We shared our favorite word or phrase from the story. I was very excited to be there for I knew that you had your still soft voice enter into each child’s ear. And yes, it was so , Each had a different word. And each either smiled or wept or looked curious when they said the word.

I could not help but to think of you making them so beautifully. When I saw them , I saw you . And every whisper that you whispered to them reminded me of the million whispers you whisper in a day. So beautiful to hear them through these friends. Freer than the robins voice in spring!. But it was not just the faces that shown you , the voices that echoed you .. ah dear Father , the words you gave were like brilliant gems mined deep within the soil of souls.

“God is saying this to me … He is saying this to me. .. He says “He is my drink” He says “He is thirsty for me” He says “you need water” All your words for my friends , … they seemed to roll out like beautiful marbles in a pile . Then in the Light of your face, they seemed to melt and merge against each other. Ah and ,suddenly ,your Spirit flooded the room like a river ! Then all the gemlike pieces became one portrait of your love. Beautifully fresh , quenching , rushing , blue. Like the window in your monastary . We were speaking in one voice, my friends and I ,as we became a stained glass portrait. All Brightly shining as we were “washed in water and word “ Now , as one, smiling back at you.

Love to you Father God, Faithful Son and Sweet Spirit

, Your Child. V

P. S. May your glory shine and be reflected in all things

for , from You and for You are all things.