Sister Mahala went to visit a young sister who refused to leave her cell. “Hello Sister,” said Amma Mahala. “We have missed you lately at meals, work time, and community prayer. Is everything alright? Are you ill?”

“I’m fine Amma. I am not sick. But I’m afraid to leave my cell because this is where I find stillness and stillness is where God finds me.”

“I see,” said Sister Mahala. “That is good—that you find stillness here. And that God finds you in the stillness.” As she turned to leave she paused and said over her shoulder, “Sister, remember, you have chosen to live in community, not as a hermit. It might do you good to consider our friend Sister Turtlini who calmly makes her way through the day. Whether in the cell or in the shell, the key is to bring the stillness with you.”

~ Dan Miller, © 2020. All Rights Reserved.