Neither Snow nor Rain

As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 

(Isaiah 55:10-11)

It was as if I appeared at the School of the Spirit residency in the middle of the night.  I went to Pendle Hill a few days before the residency, to spend time with my friend Charley, who is working there, and to try to get on East coast time before going to North Carolina.  Two feet of snow changed my plans a little.  After delayed and canceled flights (and a wonderful late-night ride from the airport), I finally stumbled into my bed in Avila just after 2 a.m.

The next morning, I hurried to breakfast, excited to see the others in my class.  On the way there, I ran into Lisa.  I said, "Good morning!"  She looked a little startled and responded, "We're in silence!"

I was a little disappointed.  I wanted to greet everyone, but instead we would be having a silent breakfast.  At least I would be able to see them.  

I went into breakfast and was overjoyed to see so many familiar faces.  As I got my food, friends noticed that I had arrived and welcomed me with hugs and smiles.  I sat down at the table and started in on my pancakes, to be interrupted as people came up behind me and to give me a hug.  Joy was sitting at the opposite end of the table and offered me her orange juice and when I looked down, I had three glasses of orange juice in front of me!

Later, after we broke the silence, I did get a chance to say hello to everyone and to catch up.  I was amazed, though, at how much love I felt even when no one was saying a word.