a surrender - 53

(Continuing "a surrender", chapter seven, "freely have you received, freely give") 

About a month later, after a hard and lonely week and a half, when we talked with almost no one and slept outside every night, we were offered a ride by a couple of young guys in a red sports car, blaring music by Rage Against The Machine. Not your stereotypical good Samaritans. But Heather thought they seemed okay, so we accepted. They proceeded to drive us up and down the shores of the beautiful river there, showing us the sights. Then zipped us across a wide dam. As we rode across, I was surprised to see a sign that said pedestrians weren’t allowed on the dam—our only way across the river. They took us right to the church we were hoping to visit the next morning. There we found a cluster of tall Boxwood shrubs that formed a leafy little cave next to the very old cemetery, and we settled in for the night. 

It was a Quaker meetinghouse. In the morning we first met a woman who had accidentally arrived early, and talked with her for an hour before the meeting. She then suggested to the small group that had gathered that Heather and I give a short talk before their silent prayer time, which makes up most of the worship. So we talked about our walk and answered questions. When someone asked us to lead them in a prayer, I offered the words of Charles de Foucauld: “Father, I abandon myself into your hands, do with me what you will… For I love you Lord, and so need to give myself—to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my father.” Then we all prayed in silence together.

The rest of the day it rained, but we were incredibly well cared for. Many people came up to us after the meeting, offering encouragement, praise, and gifts. The woman we had met first took us to her home for a lunch of fresh rainbow trout, and a warm shower. Then two other people from the meeting invited us all for dinner. We had a feast of rotisserie rosemary chicken and fresh sweet corn, wine, raspberry ice cream from a local dairy, and lots of lively conversation and encouragement. We were overwhelmed by the gift.

I was especially relieved, because I sometimes worried about Heather’s needs being met. I guess I felt responsible. It was one thing to suffer cold or hunger myself because I had taken this wild risk, but now I had led her into this risk with me. Or maybe it had been her idea, but I had encouraged it. So I was especially grateful when God provided for her needs generously. Not just good food and rest, but also friends and happy gatherings.

Continued...