Waiting...

This is surely a time of waiting - for Easter, for peace, for sanity.  Twenty women gathered at Montreat Conference Center last weekend for a retreat led by Caroline Dennis, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, SC.  Caroline is the pastor of Flora and Rick Hobson’s former church, and she was a perfect choice.  When we arrived, she had posted large sheets of flip chart paper on the walls and provided us with sticky notes and lots of markers.  She was already busy asking us to contemplate that little word “WAIT”.

What are WE waiting for? 

• war to be over

• peace

• a new pastor

• new leaders

• an end to a chaotic time

What are YOU waiting for? 

• energy

• enthusiasm

• less depression

• spring break

• trips to see family

• babies

• medical results

• peace

While I’m waiting, I …. Watch people and nature around me, breathe, pray, check my phone, plan, nibble, read.

Waiting is easier when…..there’s music and laughter, when someone waits with you, supporting you, when promises are made and kept, when you are not alone , when you have a good book.

Things people wait for:  a diagnosis, a move, visitors, babies, loved ones, political change.

Waiting is hard when…..you are alone!  When solutions aren’t clear and there seem to be no answers and no path forward, when you’re tired, and scared, and there’s no end in sight.

We would like to wait with … Mom, Trinity friends, my dog, my partner, my family. 

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Nancy Williard led us in a word meditation in Saturday afternoon as part of our Sabbath time, and we each chose a word, using a bible text and John Milton’s Sonnet 19.  She taught us how to do a deep dive into the word, and then illustrate it - a wonderful hands-on addition - with our artwork incorporated into our Sunday worship.

A Reader’s Theater rendition Saturday evening of Molly Garnett’s play “Will you wait with me?”, reflections from Mary the mother of Jesus and the women supporting and surrounding her as she waits by the cross for an uncertain future.  Costumes added a bit of levity, and the words brought us to an even deeper contemplation of the importance of “gal-ship”.

Notice a theme here?  We are all in this together. Waiting, sharing laughter, joy, friendship, worry, heartache, faith, and prayer.  The time we spent together this weekend was a true blessing. 

Will you wait with me?  I will absolutely wait with you.

See you next year! -- Norie