Everything That Is, Is Holy – Thomas Merton

This has been a good visit with my Dad and with friends we haven’t seen in over a year. There has been much to contemplate, including the doctoral program at my Alma mater that has been a disappointment for me. At the conclusion of this current class, I will be withdrawing from the program. There is so much to be explored via other avenues that will be life-giving. I look forward to those opportunities to learn and to grow!

So at this time, the Spirit seems to be speaking to my heart and guiding my steps. As I spent time with Merton tonight, he spoke to me of hope, guidance, and the presence of God in the midst of the wondering.

These words from New Seeds of Contemplation spoke volumes to me at this point in the journey. Detachment from things does not mean setting up a contradiction between “things” and “God” as if God were another “thing” and as if His creatures were his rivals. We do not detach ourselves from things in order to attach ourselves to God, but rather we become detached from ourselves in order to see and use all things in and for God. (p. 21)

As we walk with family and friends through difficult times… as we seek to discern where God is calling us… as we seek to listen to the call of the Spirit and follow Her leading… we seek to authentically be whom God has created us to be.

As this journey continues to unfold, my prayer for family and dear friends is the concluding sentence in Merton’s most famous prayer: I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. (from Thoughts in Solitude)

God is indeed with us and the Spirit is indeed guiding us through the Valley of the Shadows. We are not alone.