The Refectory Manager

The refectory . . . A place to nourish the soul. A place to share the savory comestibles, the sweet confections, the salty condiments of the things that matter. A place to ruminate the cud of politics. A place to rant on the railings of religion. A place to arrange the flowers of sanguine beauty. A place to pause in the repose of shelter. Welcome, my friend. The Refectory Manager

My Photo
Name:
Location: College Place, Washington, United States

Sunday, September 17, 2006

On Holy Conversation

My Love . . .

Back from church.

I lighted three candles: one for you, one for me, one for us. And from where I was sitting, I could watch their little flames throughout the service. I could see the shimmering in the air above each . . . their affect on others.

The minister’s sermon was about “Holy Conversation.”

It was quite touching . . . and you know what My Love, we have been having “holy conversation” for quite some time now.

As our minister told us, one of the primary characteristics of “holy conversation” is that it is open, inclusive, and speaks from the heart . . . a soul-mate conversation.

I think what we have in our conversations is holy. For we speak from our hearts. We have spoken from our hearts. We didn’t know we were having “holy conversation.” Yet, somehow, I sense that we did.

And another aspect of “holy conversation” is that it is an engaging conversation . . . seeks to draw out our partner . . . responses like “And how do you feel about that?” “Is there more you would care to add?” “Please help me to understand better.” “Share with me some more.”

And “holy conversation” is a receptive conversation . . . is more about receiving than transmitting. It is more about accepting our partner in conversation rather than telling our partner in conversation.

And the “holy conversation” is a conversation of love. Of affirmation. Of enrichment. Of the nourishing of each other’s souls.

And so My Love . . . as I think back on our hundreds of letters of love to each other . . . we have shared some “holy conversations.”

My prayer is that we have only begun . . . that we have so very many more “holy conversations” of soul-mate communion to share together ahead of us.

Whether these conversations are the back and forth of our e-mails . . . the back and forth of an on-line chat . . . or our anticipated soon to be held conversations while we are waiting for your luggage at the big airport terminal, or sitting together in the car on the road trip home . . . or perhaps walking together in the grocery store, or watching the sunset together from a park bench, or drinking our tea with milk and sugar together in the early morning at the time of devotion or late in the evening reminiscing of the day, or walking hand in hand in the moonlight, or bathing each other in the shower, and for certain, cuddling together under the thick, down-filled comforter on a chilly night . . . it doesn’t matter. What matters is that we are having these “holy conversations” together.

And, as my partner in these conversations . . . I invite you to tell me how you feel about this? Is there more you would care to add? Please help me to understand you better. Share with me some more of yourself. For I long to receive you unto myself.

And My Love, our conversations are pretty awesome and wonderful.

And our conversations just make our hearts swell with joy and pride for each other.

And our conversations are all about our love for each other.

Our conversation is our love for each other.

I love you My Man. I love you.

I thank God for Holy Conversation. For the gift of Holy Conversation that He has given to us.

Your SBK

The Refectory Manager