Time.
The promise of a whole thirty hours of quiet
            splays out like jewels of sunlight dancing on waters...
            reflected
            refracted
                        stretched out
                        spread out like gifts of God.
No words intrude to shatter the silence.
Retreat is hallowed time and, oh, so very very good.
 
"Love God and do," said Luther, "as you please."
These holy hours extending forth embrace days and nights together
            and are for nothing more,
            and nothing else,
           and nothing less than loving God and doing as I please for all is permitted.

            Maybe I'll walk and wander, wonder and write.
                        Perhaps I'll pray and ponder, wrestle angels in the night.
                        Possibly I'll profess and confess, concede and redress.
                        Maybe I'll mull and muse on all God has blessed.
 
Such an exquisite luxury it is to have this solitude with God
            where words do not get in the way
            and the Holy One has a chance to have a say
            and all parts of my life come before the Potter like clay
            in these thirty hours of night and day.
 
Sharing hearts, but not words, with a group whose communion is deep ~
Partaking of feelings in common expressed in a smile, a tear, a touch, a sigh ~

Is a wonder, a blessing, a memory to keep from each holy silent retreat
But the true gift of silence is connecting with Jesus come close from on high.
 
David Digby - 1st Christian Church, Ames, IA