Category: Community

Metaphors of the Labyrinth

This morning as I was reading a book about prayer, I was reminded that our conversations with God are just that, a conversation. Today I had the opportunity to participate in a labyrinth. This is a silent, meditative walk following a path that is somewhat circular. We were encouraged to make this contemplative walk a conversation with God. The facilitator gave us some instructions at the outset, things like: take your time, keep at least one foot in the path, you can’t get lost, and it’s not like a maze designed to confuse you. As I took this path, it was likened to a journey, either the journey of life, or a journey to the Holy Land undertaken by Jewish, and later Christian, pilgrims, perhaps to celebrate a feast or holiday or special season. It’s the week before Easter here in Pennsylvania; our labyrinth was a simple one laid out with ropes. The path winds back and forth but ultimately arrives at a center. In the center you pause before turning around to retrace your steps. As I walked and contemplated, so many metaphors became apparent and I couldn’t wait to get to a place where I could jot them down.

Here’a a picture of a Labyrinth in Chartres, France to give you a sense of the experience.
  • The path was at times wide, at times narrow
  • Sometimes the path seemed squiggly
  • Just as I began to wonder if I might be lost, I came to the center
  • There were others ahead of me and behind me on the path
  • Some travelers greeted me warmly, all were courteous
  • Some people followed the ‘rule’ of keeping one foot on the path, others did not!
  • There was never any doubt as to which way to go
  • The path is clear, clearly marked
  • It was a matter of taking the next step, of putting one foot in front of the other
  • Arriving at the center felt like arriving
  • But then I thought perhaps the second part is shorter, but no, it is the same distance
  • One travels on, listening for the voice of guidance
  • The path is circular (not linear)
  • Different parts of the path look and feel different
  • The path may seem familiar – as if I’ve been here before
  • The path may zig and zag and even appear to contain u-turns, but there are no detours, just an ever forward movement, taking you toward or away from the center, the heart

At the outset, we were given a palm frond and encouraged to place it in a vase at the center of the labyrinth giving thanks to God for His place in our life and then to take a piece of candy from a bowl as a reminder of God’s love, His sweetness. As I walked, I asked God to be near me and to help me to be aware of His presence; he immediately showed me that He had been speaking these metaphors to me throughout my journey through the labyrinth. At the moment that I wondered about the truth of not being able to get lost, I perceived that I had nearly reached the center. One dear friend whom I encountered gave me a warm smile and a reassuring touch as we passed. Most were absorbed in their own journeys. The biggest message of the labyrinth is to slow down, to enjoy the journey, to consider the journey, and to relax and not worry about the destination.

I know that it is very likely that none of these are original thoughts. Tens of thousands have experienced labyrinths before me, but the point is, they are original thoughts to me. They are my experience. And I think I have done a labyrinth before, but for whatever reason, this time my soul was ready to experience more. I encourage you to consider trying a labyrinth too. Tell me about it in the comments.

You can learn more about labyrinths online and see some cool Labyrinths around the world.

The Deli

The Deli

Picture this.  The main street of town ends in a “T” on the waterfront at the Bay.  This is a small town, a handful of shops and restaurants, and no chain stores (except maybe the hardware store but it retains its small town flavor).  At the bottom of the street is a small wharf where the ferry used to run across the bay until the bridge was built in 1969.  No matter, the area is still called East Ferry.

There is a small indy coffee shop with an outdoor patio overlooking the bay.  The town is, as yet, thankfully undiscovered.  My father went to the coffee shop every morning at 6:30 to meet his buddies.  They sat outside and chatted and worked crossword puzzles.  They had a community.   The friends were all in their seventies or older.  I stopped in recently on a Sunday and spoke to the baristas – they knew the schedule of this group – they would be in after church today according to the baristas.  I was hoping to say hello to the group, but I didn’t realize that, like many of their generation, they were faithful churchgoers.  I saw them in July and I’ll catch them next time.

Although my dad was an introvert, he almost never missed a day at the deli during his summers on the island.  In fact, last fall he was taken by ambulance to the hospital with a severe case of bronchitis.  He was not admitted, but the next day he stayed home.  The day after though, much to our surprise, he was at the deli – still feeling awful, but wanting that community.  In Florida, he didn’t have a group or a deli, but he started going to the clubhouse in the early morning and having coffee with the kitchen workers.  Gradually he built up a small community there as well.

I am blessed to have my own group of “dames at the deli” – once a week we meet for breakfast and fellowship.  But I think I might like to have a small town tradition of daily community at the deli.  I am coming to realize I may be missing out.

It's an honor to be there
Walking this sacred road

This morning my friend Sarah sits by the bedside of her father, one of the members of the deli group.  He is in hospice and his breathing is slowing down.  We exchanged text messages this morning encouraging one another on this difficult road as we journey alongside our loved ones as they pass from this world to the next.

We are privileged to have the time to honor the legacy of our fathers as they make the journey from this world.