We were at the Dunrovin Retreat Center near St. Paul, with a group of ladies from Transfiguration Parish in Woodbury for an Emmaus Retreat. Part of the retreat includes receiving a drawing that has been artistically created by another Emmaus sister, who has asked the Holy Spirit to inspire her with an image that will speak to the person who receives it with a personal message of God’s intimate love for them.
When all had received their drawings, we were given the opportunity to share how they spoke to us, or if there was some special significance for them. The stories are often so beautiful and amazing, and truly do show that God works through our efforts to bring His love personally to the hearts of each of us.
One of the ladies stood up and showed us the drawing she had received, which had 3 beautiful red fall leaves on it. The Lord had touched her heart, and it was visible to us as she shared her story…
There had been some free time in the afternoon, and some of the ladies had gone outside for a walk. It was early October, and the leaves were just beginning to turn; the weather was cool and overcast, but a good time for quiet reflection and communion with the Lord. We had been assigned prayer partners, and she decided to pray a rosary for her prayer partner while she walked. She chose the sorrowful mysteries, although it was Saturday, and was quietly praying the rosary and meditating on the second sorrowful mystery, the scourging at the pillar, and thinking about the precious blood Jesus had shed for us and the pain he had endured in the scourging. Her heart was moved as she meditated on this mystery, and then she became aware that she was walking through an abundance of bright red leaves on the path, although she couldn’t identify any tree in the area where they might have fallen from. She said she felt like she was walking right through His Blood, and It was covering us all with His protection and anointing. It was a sacred and holy moment for her – she hadn’t mentioned it to anyone else. And then when she received her drawing, there were these 3 bright red leaves…
Thank You Lord, for Your intimate knowledge of each one of us, and for pouring Your Love into our hearts in so many unexpected and personal ways. May we always have eyes open to see and ears open to hear that our hearts may be touched by Your grace and filled afresh with the fire of Your Love ~
Spiritual Sun Pennies 