A Silent Sunday, Thank God

I love Sundays.

I just returned from walking to the public library, about five and one-

half blocks from my house. Not only was the library quiet, with far

fewer people than on a weekday, but the streets were quiet. Few

cars, no other pedestrians. I had that lovely walk under a Carolina

blue sky all to myself, and I found myself thinking about this peace

and quiet which so feeds my spirit. Now, don't get me wrong: I love

people. Came away from worship this morning feeling blessed

and energized, cared for and seen and recognized by so many dear,

dear people there. I had a conversation with someone I had not met

before and several with people who have been in my life for years.

I nearly floated to my car for the drive- the very brief drive- home.

Wonderful. Lovely. Life-affirming.

But my solitary walk this afternoon was exactly what my spirit

needed after the energy-draining experience of this morning. For you

see, as much as I loved every moment...the music and the preaching

and sharing Holy Communion...loved seeing and being with every

person there, this Introvert finds such times truly exhausting, in

every sense of the word. I used to think that I took a nap on Sunday

afternoons because I was tired from teaching and preaching and

leading worship that morning, but I am realizing more and more

that the sense of exhaustion comes simply from the energy-drain

which happens to me in the midst of so many people, even

people I love.

I realize that those of you who are NOT introverts at heart, at

your very depth, simply cannot identify with this...cannot begin

to understand why interacting with groups of people is such a

difficult undertaking for those of us who are. For you, being

with people energizes you, fills you with a sense of well-being,

a kind of "people high". I know and love lots of you. And at a

deep level, I envy you. Oh, I have taught myself how to "be

there" when I am in a group...how to interact and participate

and be fully present. And I'm good at it. Most people would not

begin to guess the very real toll it takes being "on" all the time.

My preferred mode is "one-on-one", so I can truly listen and

relate, can know and be known.

Which is all the more reason that this afternoon's walk was a true

gift. No talking...no interacting...no being anything other than a

solitary person taking a solitary walk, soaking up the peace and

quiet and beauty of the natural world, and so, refreshing my soul.

Is it any wonder that I love Psalm 23? "He restores my soul."

And that kind of restoration can only happen when I am alone-

though not unaccompanied. For there is always a Presence, an

Energy, a Life Force, which walks with me, filling and loving me

back to life so that I can give of myself again, over and over again.

And there's my front door, dressed for autumn and offering a warm

welcome, both to me and to anyone else who comes. You are

welcome, my friend. My refreshed arms are open wide.