Historical setting: 563 C.E. Villa turned Monastery
It was Nic meeting with the abbot while I was waiting. Could it be that this is another amazing synchronicity? It seems likely Nic has already chosen to stay here and he is speaking with the abbot about that now.
Now my turn. “Father, I just want you to know I can testify for Nic if he should need a recommendation from someone who knows him well. And I too, can see that he belongs here so now I must prepare to go on alone.”
“Where will you go, Brother Lazarus?”
“I’m looking to join a monastery with a scriptorium and I plan to cross the mountains before winter sets in to go on to Ligugé, near Poitiers.”
“So you are finding Nic to be a burden and you would prefer to go on alone?”
“No, not at all. Nic is a dear friend and fine companion. He has been my patron all this way. But all we’ve done is chase my dreams and meet my own needs. Now it’s time for him to have his own good life and I can see he’s happy here. I will miss him, but what must be is what must be.”
“Is this what Nic wants?”
“I’ll talk with him when I’m sure there is a place for him here.”
“And you have already brought this plan to God in prayer?”
“Of course.”
“So what answer did you receive?”
“Maybe God has answered with the synchronicity of this also being Nic’s wish?”
“So God did not answer your prayer.”
“God sometimes takes a while to answer but I don’t want to wait too long, or the winter will be in Gaul and make it hard traveling for one alone.”
“Sometimes God’s answer is found in a letting go of our own manipulation of things — just letting things happen. I was just speaking with Nic.”
“Yes, I saw.”
“He told me he was noticing you seem happier here than he has ever seen you. He asked if he might sponsor you here, while he goes on alone across the mountains to Gaul where there is a monastery that has a scriptorium near Poitiers and they may take an elder novice such as Nic. If each of you wishes to cross over the mountains alone – there is plenty of room out there. But I think I’ve heard God’s synchronicity in both your wishes and neither of you welcomes a lonely parting.”
(Continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 