Image by shutterhacks via FlickrI attended a one-day retreat last week on the life of Dorothy Day. We discussed her life and how God was at work in her moments even when she didn’t realize His presence. The second part of her life was spent serving and loving the poor as if they were Christ.
I have read many of the books by and about Dorothy Day and always learn something new.
The presenter mentioned in Day’s autobiography, The Long Loneliness, she divided her life into three periods. Then she did something very unique: Dorothy gave each of those times chapter names: Searching (her first 25 years), Natural Happiness (next 10 years) and Love is the Measure (the rest of her life)
Our assignment at this retreat was to reflect on our time line and if we gave chapter names to our life, what would they be?
Great reflective question.
At other retreats I have drawn my lifeline out in years, noting significant events and spiritual highs and lows. I have experienced great divine mountain top highs and dark lost lows. To be honest this exercise has also revealed lots of gray, lukewarm times, too.
But I never gave these times names before. I still haven’t but am working on it. I have realized a few things: in my reflection I saw with new eyes a pretty lonely little girl growing up. I never realized the depth of the loneliness before. Perhaps little Jeanie is still healing from that difficulty.
One name that has surfaced so far for the second half of my life is: Rebirth. I feel so much more alive, free, and loved by God after I turned 50. I have so much enjoyed growing older and wiser.
So what do you think? Would the chapters of your life have different names?
As usual I am just now getting to it. Maybe one of my chapters would be :later” Just kidding. This is a difficult thing to think about, but I know your comment about after 50 is true and I will say that the older i become the more comfortable I become with myself and with God. Interesting idea isn’t it? good post.
Clella
As usual I am just now getting to it. Maybe one of my chapters would be :later” Just kidding. This is a difficult thing to think about, but I know your comment about after 50 is true and I will say that the older i become the more comfortable I become with myself and with God. Interesting idea isn’t it? good post.
Clella
Hi Phil, yes it is a question that makes us think. I find some of my best inner work comes from wrestling with questions. Really chewing on them. Hope you have a blessed week, too.
Once again Jean, you lob another poignant question at us to contemplate… What an interesting thought! I certainly can see specific “chapters” in my life, but I’ve never considered naming them before.
Thank you for making us reflect and think!
Have a Blessed Day!
I think I have thrown out a tough question to contemplate. Maybe we all need another longer retreat to ponder our lives. Living reflectively is a great way to get insight though. I appreciate all of the comments
This blog title is so intriguing. Then I read your post and my heart hurt. Here’s a hug for little Jeanie*
This is a tough question worth time and prayer. Thanks for sharing your retreat experiences and your heart.
excellent question for sure..it gives me something to think about…I’ve always loved going to retreats you come together with other woman and you share and learn and it’s something you never experience unless you attend one of them with other women
Jeanie, that was something new you shared. I’m sorry, but our pastor said, “God never wastes a hurt.” And I can see it now in your compassion and love.
My chapters? wow, that would be crazy. 🙂
Oh, this broke my heart a little — imagining you being lonely as a little girl.
I think this is a really challenging assignment. I don’t know how I would do it, but it does create the invitation to ask God what He thinks.
Nancy I don;t know exactly how I would answer this question either. Been thinking though. It is the type of question that linger in your soul, doesn’t it?
The thing about your posts, Jean, is that I can’t always comment right away. You always give me something to think about. Sometimes I have to chew on your words for several days. I just read another post about learning to tell my story. Thinking about how to break it into chapters–now there’s a challenge. Blessings, friend.