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FROM THE HEART
    DOORS
    The word that I use for my spiritual journey is: doors. It has been said that
    when one door closes, another one opens. I visualize this phenomenon as
    an ever-deepening path into my spirituality and road to God - if I am open
     to Finding doors is not a task to concern myself with, because once I
    make the initial choice, that of choosing  God -- God then rescues me and
    leads me through these doors -- that God has chosen for me! And my own
    slowness of mental pace, in catching on to this monumental truth, does
    not, in any way, dim the glow of God's love for me.

    The way in which The World Community for Christian Meditation, entered
    my journey, was a blend of slowness and blindness -- on my part. But, oh,
    the patience of God!

    Two years ago, I discovered The Tablet, while visiting Canterbury, on what
    was my first visit to England. In leafing through The Tablet, I happened to
    notice a really eye-opening essay, by a Laurence Freeman (there was no
    title before his name), of May 13, 2006. The essay was about a man who
    discovered the love of God and how it changed his rather lonely life --
    forever.

    I asked permission, at the library, to photocopy this essay and brought it
    home with me to the States. But before I left England, I sent an email
    message to The Tablet commending their wonderful writer, Laurence
    Freeman.

    Many times, over the next two years, I re-read the essay. I shared it with
    friends. How the words inspired and uplifted! What a powerful message it
    transmitted. I never tire of this powerful message of a man's experience
    of the love of God.

    One day, last Spring of 2008, while reading this essay, I noticed, at the
    bottom of the page, the words:

    "Laurence Freeman is director of The World Community for Christian
    Meditation (www.wccm.org)".

    Were these words there all along? Going to the website, the world simply
    opened up to me! Suddenly, God pushed me through this new door, by
    means of new vision.

    The timing could not have been more perfect. I had been through several
    disappointing experiences, in attempting to join Oblate groups. But the fit
    was not right, for many reasons. I had mentally thrown up my hands in
    dismay and despair -- and given up.

    For two years, I had not "seen" the words at the bottom of the page
    (having eyes and not seeing). Then-- just like that--I saw clearly. I thought
    of St. Paul. Maybe I had to "grow through" the previous negative
    experiences first,

    then have the scales fall from my eyes ...all the more to be able to really
    see and appreciate what was presented to me now.

    When one becomes aware of this overwhelming love of God, as the man
    in Fr. Laurence's essay experienced, as well as St. Paul (and countless
    others throughout the ages), the light can, indeed, be blinding -- in an
    indescribably magnificent way.

    Now that I've made it through this door, I am like a child in a toy store -- I
    want it all! Yes, to the meditation groups! Yes, to the annual retreat! Yes, to
    the beautiful words, on tape, of Fathers Bede Griffiths, John Main and
    Laurence Freeman. Yes, to becoming an Oblate in a global group! I am
    reminded of a story about St. Therese of Lisieux, who, when told to
    choose a ribbon, from a room full of ribbons, said: "I choose them all!"

    The words of my favorite Psalm come to mind: "He rescued me because
    He loves me." (Psa.18:20)

    And I am not a bit surprised when more doors open, like the one that
    opened recently, when Fr. Laurence Freeman OSB, meditated and spoke,
    in New York City at St. Luke-in-the-Fields Church, and I, meeting him for
    the first time, asked him to autograph a book of his that I had just bought.
    Fr. Laurence inscribed in my book: "Welcome to the beginning of your
    Oblate journey

    today 24 Sept. '08."

    Deo Gratias.


    Amie Ilva Tatem – New York, USA
    Published in August 2009