The seminary annual retreat is early this year. Usually it comes well after the undergraduate semester start up. For whatever reason, it is this weekend, and I think about whether to go to Canandaigua Friday night for the Vespers service, or wait until Saturday and drive down early in the morning. I know myself well enough to realize that my strength is better in the morning, so I opt for the Saturday only part.
I have not yet been to the Notre Dame retreat center. The drive down is pleasant, the day a bit chilly and promising rain, but the last part of the journey is along the lake, right by the water. I drive by grand homes and hovels, watch boats in all sizes from row boat to small speed boat to cabin cruisers bob in the choppy water. Gulls cry and wheel overhead. Almost no one is out and about at this early hour.
The retreat center sits up on a hill overlooking the lake, surrounded by spacious green lawns and bits of wooded areas.The humble brick buildings could have been part of almost any institution from a school to a nursing home. Other than the few statues scattered here and there, one would not necessarily know this was a Catholic retreat center. The several gardens boast colorful flowers and the view is expansive.
It is difficult to discern exactly which door to enter, but happily I find the right one and wend my way down a long and winding hall, signs confirming that I am headed in the right direction for NES. I register, glance at the tempting book table, then continue into the cafeteria where people are clustered around steaming cups of coffee and various breakfast foods, catching up with friends, making new acquaintances.
Our speaker, Dr. Jan Johnson, is very down to earth and practical. She knows that the whole issue of becoming formed in the image of God is tricky. We so easily fool ourselves into thinking that we are doing well and all the while deep beneath the surface, where it counts the most, lurks every horrible behavior known to humankind. She helps us take a real look, discover what we need to know about ourselves. She does it with humor and stories and time to reflect on what she is presenting. She has much experience, and yet she too continues to ferret out those rascally thoughts that have no place in the heart of a godly person. Sometimes the revelations are 'ouches.'
It is a low key retreat. I appreciate that. I am happy to be home in time for dinner, and bring with me a sense of quietness and calm. This is good. I know for the staff it was a great deal of work. I appreciate their efforts. Mostly, I want to sleep and let this growing desire to be a kinder, more loving person lead me in new directions.
I have not yet been to the Notre Dame retreat center. The drive down is pleasant, the day a bit chilly and promising rain, but the last part of the journey is along the lake, right by the water. I drive by grand homes and hovels, watch boats in all sizes from row boat to small speed boat to cabin cruisers bob in the choppy water. Gulls cry and wheel overhead. Almost no one is out and about at this early hour.
The retreat center sits up on a hill overlooking the lake, surrounded by spacious green lawns and bits of wooded areas.The humble brick buildings could have been part of almost any institution from a school to a nursing home. Other than the few statues scattered here and there, one would not necessarily know this was a Catholic retreat center. The several gardens boast colorful flowers and the view is expansive.
It is difficult to discern exactly which door to enter, but happily I find the right one and wend my way down a long and winding hall, signs confirming that I am headed in the right direction for NES. I register, glance at the tempting book table, then continue into the cafeteria where people are clustered around steaming cups of coffee and various breakfast foods, catching up with friends, making new acquaintances.
Our speaker, Dr. Jan Johnson, is very down to earth and practical. She knows that the whole issue of becoming formed in the image of God is tricky. We so easily fool ourselves into thinking that we are doing well and all the while deep beneath the surface, where it counts the most, lurks every horrible behavior known to humankind. She helps us take a real look, discover what we need to know about ourselves. She does it with humor and stories and time to reflect on what she is presenting. She has much experience, and yet she too continues to ferret out those rascally thoughts that have no place in the heart of a godly person. Sometimes the revelations are 'ouches.'
It is a low key retreat. I appreciate that. I am happy to be home in time for dinner, and bring with me a sense of quietness and calm. This is good. I know for the staff it was a great deal of work. I appreciate their efforts. Mostly, I want to sleep and let this growing desire to be a kinder, more loving person lead me in new directions.
No comments:
Post a Comment