One of my favorite spaces to retreat to is the woods at the Franciscan Sisters Motherhouse in Frankfort, Illinois where I hole up in the hermitage called Santa Chiara so named for my beloved St. Clare. The hermitage is cozy and simple except for that modern gas fireplace that turns a peaceful room into a spiritual womb.

In autumn I like to walk the grounds and stay out until dusk. When the whoo-whoo-who of the great horned owl repeats her call several times (and is occasionally seen). I then know it’s time to go in for the evening and can confirm that all is well with the world. The raccoons that have been nesting at the tops of the furry pines begin to rustle in the branches and find their way down to earth to so they can see what lies ahead for them in their nightly prowl.

Being the somewhat lazy gardener that I am I was relieved to discover that it is the bracken and thicket that provides an important habitat that creates hearth and home for a variety of creatures.

Lately I’ve thought about what nature needs. Besides planting trees and shrubs that offer winter interest I’ve discovered that there is an important nesting feature in those low lying branches and high branches that can house nests or provide shelter for flying or hopping inhabitants.

Likewise, there are times in my life when shelter is important. When I need to hunker down and rest and find respite and refreshment.

Early in the spiritual life of St. Ignatius he learned to be still and discover God in the quiet of his home. He couldn’t walk since he was seriously wounded but he could sit and contemplate. He discovered in his place of serenity that God met him where he was and helped him dig deeper in his own understory than he had ever gone before.

The thicket is a mess with branches. From the outside it looks like a tangle of stems. From the inside it provides shelter, retreat, a comforting habitat for unlikely guests. A place of retreat and comfort even within the messiness of my life as it is right now, today.