Adventures at the Retreat

My guest this past week was a guest from a Catholic monestary. She came to the retreat to reflect upon her commitment to serving God as a nun. I think her stay here was a life-changing experience for me and I hope it was for her as well. But before I go into that let me tell you about her visit.
After I met her on a Wednesday, at the Greyhound Bus Station in Gadsden, I thought she might like to take the scenic route home–across Lookout Mountain. It was a perfect fall day with temperatures in the 60′s and a clear blue sky. I thought Noccalula Falls might inspire her to paint so I drove by there. I had already known God was doing something special in my own life through her visit, but I was not prepared for the miraculous sight we saw when we looked into the falls. Two perfect rainbows cascaded into the bottom of the falls as if they had been painted there just for us. I had never seen anything so beautiful. It reminded me of a painting I had done several years ago of the Desoto Park waterfalls. What I most loved about it was the reflection of the seasonal colors I had been able to paint into it. The painting was my impression of the falls but in no way did it capture the magnificent beauty that God had painted with the rainbows onto Noccalula Falls. To me it was a sign and a miracle. For my guest, I didn’t think she noticed.
Another guest was also visiting the retreat. We both were enthralled with the opportunity of knowing this special person. We are protestants and had never known a Catholic nun. Our friend was a novice and unsure of her dedication. We hoped she would find some direction through art and her retreat visit.
In the beginning, it was my impression she was seeking guidance as to whether or not and art ministry was the vocation God was calling her to. I soon realized that I was mistaken and did not know quite what to do. It disturbed me a bit to learn she lacked enthusiasm for the art lessons I taught while she was here. However, in spite of this I knew God had sent her here for a special reason.
I had never been to a Catholic Church but was delighted to attend Mass with her. I was happy to learn more about the Catholic faith and to meet several members of the community church. I was shocked to learn that our town is filled with hundreds of hispanic and children of other nationalities that, because of the economy, are suffering from lack of food and/or clothing. I learned the church does not have a priest. But the church has been blessed with a saint-a nun who devotes her life to this congregation, especially to the poor. Although I’m protestant and would not become a Catholic, I suddenly understood why such saints give their lives in service to the Catholic Church.
My guest had mentioned that she might leave the monestary and serve the church in a volunteer capacity. I said to her that should she decide to do so, this congregation would offer the perfect place for her. It seemed to me God could use all of her many gifts, and that the congregation badly needed someone like her.
It was not to be.
I have the good fortune of having a special friend who is a widely known Icon artist. He also has the privilege of having a home overlooking the Desoto Waterfalls. It was an honor for us that he invited us for a visit. In appreciation of my guest and her position, he had carefully prepared and Icon to put the finishing varnish upon. It was a rare gift to see this. I did not know what he had meant when he explained that the light comes from within the Icon painting. But as he varnished the painting of Mary and the Baby Jesus, it began to glow. My heart quickened at the sight. Later, we walked onto the screened in porch at the back of his cabin and gazed upon another waterfalls almost as lovely as the one at Noccalula. He explained to me that the rainbows occurred at a particular moment when the sun is in a particular place in the late afternoon.
As we chatted, the thought came to me that my guest might be led to become an Icon artist but she did not appear too interested in the Icons or the second waterfalls. At that point, I know now that I became a doubting Thomas about her calling. But after she left, I noticed a book she had been reading; “Care of the Soul,” by Thomas Moore. It had been years since I had read the book, but I began to read it again. That’s when it all began to make sense, her visit here and what it meant:
She was caring for her soul in the way that we all need to care for our souls. While she was here she attended a second Mass. She prayed her daily prayers and we prayed several morning and evening prayers together. She also sang melodious hymns of praise and at times, I found myself singing with her.
If she chooses to remain in the monestary, I may never hear from her again, for I think it is a monestary of silence. If she chooses to do volunteer work instead, perhaps I will hear from her. I’m sure that God has her in His hand and that her soul-work will continue. Mine will as well.
I am left changed by this visit and by this guest. Each of my guests affect me this way. I am learning that each of them come here for soul-work. That is a good thing to know and it is a good thing to be able to offer them the opportunity to use art as a tool to take care of their souls. I don’t think I truly appreciated art for this reason before. I’m sure I would never have thought upon this subject had it not been for my recent discerning guest who found respite in the Art Retreat.

http://womenofgodartretreat.net

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