June 28,
2009
Colleagues-- It’s time to meet with an old friend:
Dear Quiet,
It is time to catch up with you again. I remember when I
first met you as a child climbing high into a backyard
tree. We would spend hours together enjoying the peace
above all the noise and expectations below. I liked the
way you would sing to me in the wind and tickle my
spirit to imagine the impossible. How you help me to see
and think more clearly when I’m away from life’s
distractions.
It was growing up with you that I was able to know the
power of prayer and how to be present to others. It has
been through your whispered invitation that I have found
you calming my fears and doubts through life’s
challenges. I am amazed how you always seem to be wooing
me over in unbelievable God moments.
I have failed to thank you for your presence and care
while dealing with the ongoing tension of the being and
doing of ministry: the soothing way you lift my soul as
I work on the burdensome joy of preparing a message, the
unspeakable gift of silence while holding a hand of
someone dying, the remarkable way you gave me strength
when hearing the words “you have cancer,” and the
healing that followed through slowing down rather than
running from you.
It is also in those silent places that you have reminded
me of all the wonderful people and blessings in my life.
You are teaching me daily to do no harm, do good where I
am, and stay close to you. What a way you have with me
when I am not glued to my calendar or the next meeting.
What a better and positive servant I am when I am not
spending all my time at the computer or trying to fix
every situation.
I am letting you know today, I have missed you. I am
sorry for all the excuses I have made for not getting in
touch with you. So, dear quiet friend, thank you for
always making yourself available to me. I am on my way
for a quiet visit.
I just got your message: Be still.
Colleagues,
While I visit this old friend and spend time with my
family during July 1-16, 2009, the Rev. Brent Mustoe (Aldersgate
UMC) will be available for any emergencies. I look
forward to seeing you when I return for the visits with
Bob Farr and at our District picnic, July 30, 2009.
Cody