Prayerfulness by Robert J. Wicks

Author:Robert J. Wicks [Wicks, Robert J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ave Maria Press
Published: 2009-08-31T22:00:00+00:00

Honor “Unofficial Retreats”

Thomas Merton once noted that illnesses can be opportunities to quiet ourselves down, let go of the world's demands, and open ourselves to some unexpected time alone with God. This can be seen quite well in the following example of a counselor who, though quite healthy, had some unexpected experiences with physical limitation.

A fall had disabled her. Fortunately, it came after a spiritual experience that changed her life in a significant way. She knew that if the accident had happened before this sense of conversion, she probably would have emotionally shut down. However, her spiritual awakening had given her hope and a profound feeling that she was not alone. She trusted that God would give her what she needed to handle her hardships. But she had also come to understand that God didn't make her problems go away. Rather she was discovering that God would give her the strength to persevere and let those very difficulties transform her. In her own words:

After I left the hospital, each day was a series of new steps. After two days I could make it to the bathroom with a walker. After two weeks I could walk without assistance. I went back to work after only a month. After four months I went on my first hike.

This hike was a huge step for her but came with a hidden cost. Ten days later, she developed Lyme disease from a tick bite during this excursion into the woods. She was to learn yet another lesson from this unfortunate event.

Once the Lyme disease hit, I was drained of my remaining physical and mental strength. I was so exhausted that I saw only one choice—I needed to quit my job. But who would I be if I was not working? My work defined me. What could I do if I was not working? My answer came after my first week as an unemployed person: I would heal. I suffered emotional and physical pain for over ten years but never took a break to heal. Not once. It was finally my time to be healed, and I had the resources and support to do it.

Looking back at this turning point in my life, I realized that not only did I need to heal, I also needed to develop better coping skills and healthier ways of looking at the world. During my time at home, I began learning to focus on my priorities, still myself, listen to God, and be present. I still remember the first Monday when I did not have to go to work. I had the idea to cut up a fresh pineapple for breakfast. But then out of habit I thought to myself, “I don't have time for that.” I had to catch myself and realize that I did have time to cut up fruit. I could cut up fruit all day if I wanted to! I could even go for a leisurely walk, learn to play the piano, or read a good book.

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