Solitude

May 3, 2020

It still seems odd to enjoy a leisurely Sunday morning, not attending worship till 10:00 am. Before the quarantining of the nation, we would be out the door by 7:00. It was nonstop from then till evening, with two worship services, Sunday School, family dinner, and a short break before teaching at the School of the Arts. Today, we got up early enough, but after breakfast had a couple hours before worship. Linda and I had dinner together, then the kids came over. With sunshine and 70 degrees, we enjoyed the benefit of everyone staying outside, social distancing, but it was so good having everyone together, talking and laughing. I could almost see the thirsty spirits reviving as we drank deeply from the well. The cousins haven’t been together in over a month, and watching them chattering together like little kids was a real treat. 

Christians often talk of “fellowship,” but I don’t think we truly appreciated its value till it was taken away. This afternoon, we filled our family tanks; I am longing for the day when the larger family of God is reunited; what a day that will be! 

Growing up Baptist, ending up Methodist, I knew of, but never gave much thought about the monastics—those dauntless individuals of the Catholic and Orthodox churches who devoted their lives to solitude. They had the fellowship of their brothers or sisters, but often lived in isolation, giving themselves to study and prayer. We often thought of them as rather odd folks, never considering the sacrifices they made that they might listen more carefully to God. They have blessed the Church with their wisdom and insights, with the power of their prayers and the generosity of their offering of solitude. It’s possible that we owe them more than we know, and tonight I am grateful for our family that gathered, and for those who have chosen that more difficult path of solitude on behalf of us all.