Meetings with Remarkable People - Part 2
March 12, 2025
Meetings with Remarkable People Part 2
In my mid-thirties, I was on a private retreat at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Georgia. During this part of my life, I occasionally went to this beautiful Trappist monastery when I needed clarity and comfort. I was on this particular retreat to discern something. My father had been stricken with a stroke, which altered his behavior. He was sometimes irrational and verbally aggressive, which would scare my son Ben, who was only two at the time.
How could I protect my son while still having my mother and father in our home? I needed an answer. Though I was a young psychologist, I was too involved in the situation to see things objectively regarding my own family. I couldn't imagine not having my son around his grandfather, nor could I imagine Ben being traumatized by him. What was I to do?
When on retreat, the monastery always provided one of the monks to meet with each retreatant. That was always a wonderful part of being on retreat — having a person to speak with who was spiritually attuned, listened non-judgmentally, and spoke from their heart. On this retreat, I was not assigned to one of the brothers as I usually was. For some reason, this time, I was assigned to the monastery's abbot, Father Augustine. I'd never met the head of this monastery, much less talked to him. But I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet with him.
I could feel the wisdom and love as soon as I entered Father Augustine's office. He was possibly in his late sixties and wore a long white robe. He had a pleasant face and a balding head; he listened patiently to me.
After I said everything I had to say, Father Augustine paused said, "I understand your predicament. You're caught between your son and father. And you have painted yourself into a corner with your thoughts. But this is not an either-or situation, as you assume. God loves all of you, and there is a way for everyone to be honored. You cannot keep Ben away from your father, or you will feel guilty; neither can you allow Ben to be hurt. So, I recommend that you, Lark, and Ben make the trip to Mobile from Anniston every month and visit your father for only an hour. Your mother can have more extended visits at your hotel."
And we did what father Augustine recommended until Dad mellowed, and in a few months, became less agitated and more agreeable to be around.
When we meet a wise person, and if that person emanates love, there is a very special feeling in the atmosphere around them. This was the case with Father Augustine. His penetrating wisdom went directly to my soul. I knew after he told me that his advice was the way. His advice was not a diatribe or long-winded explanation. Nor was it a lecture or a conversation in which he helped me figure out my own approach. In the present moment, he retrieved the truth and gave it to me gently and concisely. I am forever grateful to this remarkable person. He exemplified holy omniscience.
Dear God,
I thank you for the tremendous empathy and guidance shown by this remarkable person. In your name, Amen
