When I jotted "a silent retreat" on my list a year ago, I was picturing a day of hiding out alone in my bedroom. Instead, the Lord surprised me with an invitation to indulge in silence and stillness among Catholic sisters who have devoted their lives to this service. I spent this past weekend in a cabin of my own at a retreat center designed for solitude.
With a map of the extensive grounds in my pocket, I went out to explore. The map was dotted with meadows and trails and resting benches with names like "Mystical Union" and " Infinite Mercy" and "Compassion Trail." I didn't need to look at the map, though, because the trails were all easily marked. Just follow the white flags.
After a morning of hiking, dreaming, talking with God, and soaking in the sights and sounds of nature, I pulled out my map, curious to see what the memorable label was for where I found myself. Turns out, since I hadn't kept track of how many meadows I had wandered through or creeks I had crossed, I couldn't pinpoint my location. As I stood there looking perplexedly at the map, I realized, "I have no idea where I am, but I am not lost."
That perplexing moment resonated into my soul, thanks to having a ministry with motherless babies in Africa while unexpectedly raising my four children here in a city in the US.
If there was a map for life, I would look at it and say the same thing:
I have no idea where I am, but I am not lost.
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