An Encounter by the Creek

By joannsblog2016 on March 22, 2018 • ( 0 )

“We must speak to God as a friend speaks to his friend, servant to his master; now asking some favor, now acknowledging our faults, and communicating to Him all that concerns us, our thoughts, our fears, our projects, our desires and in all things seeking His counsel.” – St Ignatius of Loyola

Imagine that you are sitting under a tree, near the edge of a creek flowing into a small pool. The water flows across each stone, one by one, moving uniquely across each stone as if it were a unique part of the creek. The colors before you, on the side of the creek, are vivid and the sound of the water dropping into the pool sounds like a musical instrument resonating in your head. The breeze is gentle and cool.

As you watch the water flow over each stone in the creek, you notice each stone in your own life, moments of pain and moments of peace. As you look up from the view before you, you see this man beside you. He is very gentle in nature. His eyes appear to be full of sorrow, yet his face appears to be pure as the driven snow. His eyes reveal a story of pain and of love. There seems to be something very familiar about him but you can’t put your finger on it.

You greet him with a smile and a warm hello. He sits beside you embracing the view before you. His demeanor seems very welcoming. You look into his eyes and you can feel this deep sense of trust within him, not something you would feel with a complete stranger. As you sit with him, you feel an enormous amount of peace all around you and everything seems more vibrant and full of life.

He turns to you with gentleness and invites you to share your sadness, your joys, your thoughts, and your desires. You feel very comfortable opening up your heart to him, you don’t know why but he feels like the perfect companion. You begin to share your deepest desires, your deepest hurts, your fears and the moments that bring you joy and happiness. He looks at you with love and compassion and holds out his hands so that you can feel the warmth of his love. It is at this moment that you realize your new found friend, this stranger beside the creek is your first true love, your best friend. He is your Lord, Jesus, listening and loving every bit of you and waiting to embrace you with his exuberant love. Will you accept his invitation of friendship? Will you sit with him as he gives you his undivided attention?