Portrait by my frolleague Roy DeLeon
My word arrived the other day: qavah.
At the turn of the year, Abbey of the Arts offers a free mini-retreat— twelve moments to imagine the next season of one’s life and ask for a word.
In the tradition of the old desert moms and pops, the Abbey’s Holy Disorder of Dancing Monks consider what word or phrase might be a compass, seed or traveling companion for the coming year. In past years for me it’s been a koan-thing– an idea to chew on over months.
Richard’s Word History:
2011 Stretch
2012 Empty
2013 Salmon
2014 Turn
2015 Edge
Which brings us to what 2016 seems to be serving up: qavah. (keh-VAH)
It’s a Hebrew word used a lot in the psalms, meaning wait, hope, expect. As in,
Wait/hope for God.
Be strong and let your heart take courage
and wait/hope for God.
(Psalm 27.14)
It’s root means gather.
As this word and I claim each other, here’s what I’m wondering about in a stream way:
Wait Patience Time
Weight
Loss Longing
Wait! Wait! Don’t tell me!
Okay! Tell me!
Expecting, Pregnant. Growing with Life
How exquisite and terrifying to have growing life within you.
Incubation takes time. What do I expect?
Surrendering, Giving one’s self.
Nutrition for a womb-person, energy for new ideas, new mysteries.
Will it be born? Borne away? Will it be what I expect?
What will its lifespan be? Is this how I value fresh, new things?
What comes to those who wait?
Sometimes good things. Sometimes nothing. Or worse.
What do I expect?
What am I waiting for?
My waiting and longing– is it hope-full and expectant of goodness, or am I tapping my foot offended like it’s a waste of my time.
Hmm. Could be an interesting year!
If you’re interested, try a “Give Me a Word” thing at the Abbey.
All best blessings to you, my friends, as we ease into a new year.
WorldStretching 