A Crash Landing into A Monastery 💫

Jun 9

I'm leaving for a silent retreat at a monastery in a few hours. Last year at this time, I went on the same retreat, and I wrote this. It never made it to the light of the internet, and I've been thinking about it ever since.

I hope these thoughts from May 2022 encourage you as they did me today -

This past weekend, I had what I can only compare to a crash landing — into a monastery. My most chaotic and stressed, absolutely burnt-out, about-to-quit self showed up to a silent retreat, hoping a bunch of monks would put me back together.

While I was there, I was walking a labyrinth and praying a rosary. I was trying to walk it quickly because I needed to make it to lunch. When I thought I didn't have time to finish it and started to feel impatient, I cheated and rushed out the side.

The next day, I went back to walk it again, retraced my steps, and realized that before, if I had taken one more step and turned the corner, I would have made it to the center. I was steps away from the end of the maze.

And I keep thinking about this.

Maybe you feel lost in a maze, not sure if there's a way made for you, overwhelmed and wondering if you have more time. Maybe you just want to take the shortcut and get out. I understand.

And to you and I - I say this: Don't quit. Take another step. Even when it doesn't seem like it, every step does add up.

The maze is ending. Your bird's eye view is on its way. If we keep stepping forward, we won't have to retrace a thing. What God promised is not lost — neither are you. Wait till you turn the corner! Press on!

Praying for you this weekend!

Caroline