I recently watched an incredible DVD borrowed from the local library called "The Abbey" (http://www.abc.net.au/tv/theabbey/). It is a 3 part "reality style" documentary put together by the ABC a few years ago.
It follows 5 ordinary Australian women who spend 33 days and nights living in a Benedictine Abbey (http://www.jamberooabbey.org.au/html/home.htm). Of the 5, who were varying in age, there were 3 "lapsed Catholics" (or who had some background of faith), one lady who was "searching" through all kinds of religions and practices, and the youngest of the group didn't believe in God at all.
My interest was sparked a while ago after reading a review on the series. The result was an incredibly humbling and emotional experience as I watched the interaction between the nuns and the "outsiders". On a number of occasions I just found myself thanking and praising God for the amazing events that unfolded during that month in the lives of these 5 women.
The nuns openly welcomed these ladies into the midst of their sacred daily practices (which requires prayer 5 times a day starting at 4.30am, and a lot of silence used to reflect and allow them to "go deeper" with God).
"You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest awhile." Mark 6.31They very lovingly listened to each of the women talk about their life experiences (good and bad) in groups and in one-on-one sessions, not once showing any sign of judgement or taking offence, even though the ladies were quite upfront with their opinions on varying topics. These Benedictine nuns plain and simply shared God's love with the women and had the most profound (but simple) timely statements to offer them in the midst of their struggles.
Sister Hilda was one of the nuns who walked the journey with them, and it was amazing the wisdom she shared. Some of Sister Hilda's Pearls of Wisdom - http://www.abc.net.au/tv/theabbey/pearls.htm
I have to admit, my idea of nuns up till now has been that they are quite "religious" more than "spiritual" and I felt that locking themselves away from the world would surely make them unable to relate to your everyday person. How wrong I was!
I was struck by how "in tune" with God these nuns were and it was completely obvious they were His vessels being used to reveal His heart to the 5 visitors at the precise place they were each at along their searching or spiritual journey. It was evident that each of the 5 women were impacted (some more than others) on a spiritual level during their time there, even though the strict practices of the nuns weren't always followed by them.
By the end of their time in the Abbey, one lady had made a decision to follow God, another was working through issues and heading that direction, two were getting their lives back on track, and the one that didn't believe in God, had started to see things differently.
I don't know what happened to those women afterwards but certainly during their time at the Abbey, there was no denying that God's presence was very real in the midst of their experience.
I'm so glad I chose to watch this series. On completion, there was such an excitement in my spirit and an absolute wonder as I had seen God's love shown over and over to these 5 Aussie ladies, and in turn watched them slowly respond to it!
