The Visitor
Rev. Anthony Farmer
Self-care and self-nurturing is very important. I know this mental; and I am practicing this
through my actions. My next lesson is
learning to be more consistent in my self-love.
I sent an intention to visit the Franciscan Monastery on Mondays; not
every Monday but as often as possible.
The Franciscan Monastery is the external presentation of my internal
heart space. Today, I was called to
visit my heart space; so I decided to visit the gardens at the monastery.
The call of Brother Red Shouldered Hawk generally greets me
upon arrival at the monastery. However,
today he was nowhere to be heard. Today
I was greeted by a new old friend, Brother Catbird. He has flown near me several times before
Sunday’s church service. I sensed he
flies close enough for me to notice him. I know Brother Catbird has a song and message
for me.
Once you enter the grounds of the monastery, you have to go
pass through a gate to reach the Valley of Shrines. As I reach the gate, I was welcomed by a
gentle cool breeze. I walked through the
gate and down the path to the valley.
Today, I choose to rest on the bench nearest the Three Wise Men. These three trees are located in a center
section of the valley.
I sit and close my eyes.
I rest in the peace, as I am serenaded by the songs of Brother Catbird,
Sister Robin and Brother Cardinal. There
are other songs, but I don’t recognize the crooners. Also, Brother Flicker flies down to the
valley. He perches on the side of the
Wise Man Two, which is the one who brings the wisdom of song. Brother Flicker is positioned such that I can
see him. I take this to mean he too has
song for me, and that I am to listen to the songs. Today, the guidance is for me to listen to
the message in the songs. Earlier this morning,
I was told, while in meditation, “your guidance will come to you during the
day.”
I continued listening in the sacred silence of the valley,
my heart space. I listened. Sitting on the bench I listened.
A visitor came to me at the bench. He reminded me that my ministry was on track,
and that there is no map or blue print to follow. Whereas Brother Catbird is clothed in grey,
and Sister Robin wears her red-orange breast, and Brother Cardinal is donned in
all red, the visitor wears a white robe and is in sandals.
He takes a seat on the bench, and joins me in listening to the
sounds of nature. He reminds me to rest
for today, for today will expand into tomorrow bringing with it,
yesterday. He reminds me to rest my mind
when I can; the knowledge received today, nurtured, will become the wisdom of
tomorrow. He reminds me that the wisdom
of the heart is golden, and is brighter than the brightest light the eyes can
see. He shared that I know my ministry,
and that it is for me to wear. It is for
no one else to wear.
He said, “Remember we took you to the sacred desert to see the
rebirth of the holy city.”
I listen, no longer with ears of overwhelm or
disbelief. I listen with honor and reverence.
He shared, “It is foretold in the prophecy. And it is time. Rest and renew. It is all true. He watches you from a far. She blesses you, near.”
The visitor leaves with a gentle cool breeze. I listen.
Copyright © 2013 Anthony L. Farmer All
Rights Reserved
