Last month I attended a week-long writing retreat on Enders Island taught by Sarah Cortez, the visiting author that ran writing workshops for us in July. My six classmates were diverse in personality, life experience, and region. None were professional writers. They were all faithful Catholics who felt that the Holy Spirit might be inviting them to serve Him through writing and they wanted to investigate that calling. I find it fascinating to meet new people. I naturally form first impressions, and I like to see if those impressions stick or change over time.

One participant immediately struck me as a woman who was carrying a heavy burden. Her reserved speech, privacy, and posture were walls that held the rest of us at a safe distance. The week’s topic, “Writing Life’s Spiritual Lessons,” invited us to write about how God has worked in our lives. After each writing exercise, a few people would read their work. For the first two days, this woman did not volunteer to read her reflections, but by day three that all changed. She poured her heart out into that writing prompt and then offered to be the first reader. She lifted the heavy burden off her own shoulders and allowed us to each carry a piece. 

It was transformative. She looked younger, prettier, had a great sense of humor, and talked openly about her life and family. She explained that when she decided to attend the retreat, she told herself and God that she was not going to write or talk about her greatest suffering. She planned to keep it buried and work around it. But it only took three days for God to inspire her to resurrect from her self-imposed tomb. The relief she felt from praying, writing, and sharing her suffering wasn’t just temporary. I have spoken with her since and she still feels a relief and peace that was unachievable before.

Christianity is a religion of fellowship and community. Jesus speaks to us individually, but he also works through other people to teach and comfort us. People that only choose to interact with God on their nature hikes and in personal prayer are shortchanging themselves. My writer friend is healing and will be able to help others heal. Our two churches are filled with fellow-sufferers too. Together we can all be resurrected and transformed into the lighter, happier versions of ourselves that we are meant to be.  

Scripture: Read James 5:16. What stands out?

Call to Action: Allow God to help you heal or help others. Email me at [email protected] and I will help you connect with our diverse Christian community.