Speeding to the monastery

This spring break I decided to do something drastic. I was tired — tired of the pressures of school, tired of my routine, tired of not having enough time to deepen my spirituality. So I did something most would consider a little unorthodox for a college student on her spring vacation. I packed my bags, and rather than heading straight for the beach, I went to a Benedictine monastery instead.

I set out on my journey to St. Scholastica in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Friday afternoon exhausted from my week, but excited for the possibilities that lay ahead. I had my radio turned up, my windows down, and felt better with each mile I put between school and me. Then, as I was passing through Krebs, Oklahoma, I looked in my rearview mirror and noticed flashing sirens. I was being pulled over. This was my first speeding ticket. The officer was nice as he handed my citation, with a warning to slow down, but it was still a harrowing experience.

After that ordeal, I was grateful to arrive at my destination. The next few days were wonderful. I took time to pray, worship, read, write, spend time outdoors, sleep, bake, and visit with the nuns with whom I had the pleasure of staying. I took time to talk with God, listen to God, and recharge my spiritual batteries. One thing I really felt God impressing upon my heart was the need to slow down and to listen. It is so easy for me to get caught up in my own busyness and forget what grounds me.

During my stay at the monastery I could not get my speeding ticket out of my head. I worried about it a lot. After a day or two, the irony began to sink in. I got my ticket for speeding on the way to the place where I was going to slow down. I decided to let this ticket be a lesson for me. Speeding through life is no way to live. While retreats are wonderful and they remind us of our need to slow down, we need to remember to slow down all the time and take time to worship and be spiritual. It's the bread for our souls. It's simply not worth it to speed to the monastery when you could spend time enjoying the drive.

Michelle Harvick is in her third year as a HELM Leadership Fellow and is a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arlington, Texas.