When my daughters were quite young, eighteen months, three
years old, and five years old, I first began to explore the Quaker path. The girls and I attended Meeting for Worship
together. I’d settle on a bench with a
child on either side and the youngest snuggled in my lap. Sometimes, they’d whisper a question. I remember my eldest daughter, Rebecca, asking
me what people were doing. “Listening for God.”
“Do they hear him?” “Sometimes.”
“Have you heard him?” “Yes.” “What does He sound like?” Well, this stopped me short. I had heard that inner voice but as hard as I
tried, I could not describe what it sounded like. That’s true even today, but the clarity and
directness of it’s biddings continue to ring true in my life.
The first time I clearly heard that voice I was directed to
lay hands on someone in healing. That
happened twice. Each time I said “No, I
don’t know how to do that. You need to
find someone else.” And each time my heart ached for having said “no” until I
finally promised that if I were asked again I would do as I was bidden. Years later, that call was repeated and for
the first time, I laid hands on someone in healing. I listened carefully to the
guidance of Spirit, and as I followed that guidance, healing happened. That day I learned that I didn’t need to know
what to do, I only needed to listen and obey Spirit’s guidance. I learned that when Spirit asks, everything
that is required will be provided to complete the work. That voice was kind, forgiving, insistent,
loving and yes, quiet.
Another time I was asked by New York Yearly Meeting to
engage with Friends in the country of Georgia; to bring refugee aid and
conflict resolution skills to that country.
I had never stepped into work of that magnitude and felt unclear that I
had the knowledge or the ability to carry it forward – and so I prayed. I prayed for three days before I heard that
voice. It was not small or quiet! It roared “Just do it!!!” clearly annoyed
with my persistent query. I asked for additional guidance but that was all I
got: “Just do it!!!” and so I moved into
the work and again what was needed fell into place.
As I’ve learned to listen for and to the Presence, that voice has become a constant companion and guide. Over the years it has become my habit to share these experiences, not because they make me special in any way – just the opposite – I share them because I firmly believe that it is possible for everyone in their everyday lives to hear the voice of Spirit as eyes and ears and hearts open to accept the reality of God’s presence and love and guidance. May it be so.
