(getting familiar with)
Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk, ⁰a dear friend introduced me to his work. He wrote one of those books that I’ve read over and over again. I think it’s C.S Lewis who said that after you read a book for the first time you don’t go to the next new book but go read an old book you’ve read before going to another new book. The Seven Storey Mountain is one of those books I go back to before I read a new book. I’ve been so weary and tired of waiting for the second coming of Christ. Really. It made me wonder. How long oh LORD? Thomas Merton’s book helps me revive my faith in God. I know very well what God had done in my life and I never want to go back to that chaotic place of pain and confusion. No! Time to revisit my faith searching years when I questioned everything. Merton’s books strengthen and fuel my curiosity about faith. I travel with him in his search for spiritual matters in faith and thereby finding peace.
I appreciate Thomas Merton and how he thinks about his thoughts and what compelled him to pursue God. I learned to think by reading his work.
I’m paying more attention to the still small voice that whispers to me in the middle of the night that keeps me wide awake for hours. Timely words come to light the dark areas of my heart and set me free. When I’m being misunderstood, it’s really not about me. It’s about them and their own perception. It’s being human. It’s being human.
I’m learning again to meditate and reflect and getting to know GOD, myself, what I think or say and pray as Merton prayed, –
“God I do not know where I’m going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself and the fact that I think I’m following your will does not mean I’m doing so. But I believe that the desire to please does in fact please you.”