Western Gathering:
FGConnections Fall 2006
Listen and Obey the Spirit
By Rubye Howard Braye
 Rubye Howard Braye |
As I write this, the weather is cooling and my mind is once again humming with the concerns of living, teaching, and travels. Having just returned from South Africa, the backlog is significant, but I am delighted to pause for a moment to reflect on the memorable 2006 Gathering in Tacoma, Washington.
From the minute that I arrived in Washington, I felt that the perfect weather was a prelude to a perfect week. Following the smooth registration, I sat on the floor of the gym talking with an old friend, when a non-Quaker work colleague from Seattle touched me on the shoulder. This chance meeting was magical. It was like traveling across the country to meet my neighbor. For most of the week this served as a reminder that all persons in the world are my neighbors, with just six degrees of separation between us.
Shortly after that meeting, I met my traveling companion, Judy Ceppa, and her husband, Fred. These traveling contemplatives live full-time in their mobile home visiting nooks and crannies across the country and carrying God’s love. All week our meals, workshops, and day trips filled me with refreshment like a cool drink on a hot day. I will always remember the deep, blessed sharing with these long-time, loving, trusted friends.
Since my primary purpose for attending was to facilitate a workshop that I had carefully planned, I was pleasantly surprised when I felt led of the Spirit to alter the design just before starting. Naturally, I wanted to argue, “But Lord, I did all of this planning and… “ Instead, I just cooperated. I now believe that shifting the focus to “Imaging,” was purposeful. In our gathered workshop, we all benefited from the guidance. Just yesterday, I received the evaluations and was not surprised by the favorable results. Some may challenge this response, but it is clear to me that the simple practice of listening and obeying the Spirit pays great dividends and opens the way for life to just work better.
Consistent with listening, I am waiting for a leading or call after hearing Laura Holliday’s message concerning leaders who move with little accountability across government, financial institutions, and multinational corporations. These revelations disturbed my state of joy. The ideas moved me to critically think about the instability that currently exists in our fragile democratic government, with its precious checks and balances.
When I met with Friends of Color I was hopeful, for I heard many examples of the ways that we are ministering across the Society and around the world. I felt so honored to be part of this committed group of world changers, actively engaged in making a positive difference in the lives of so many people.
One morning I was so off guard that I accepted an invitation from John Tweddle to join a group that went swimming in a lake. I still find it hard to believe that I went, yet I delight in knowing that I did it and survived. This type of adventure is what many of us are invited to partake of at Gathering. When we go forth – leaving the shore and venturing out – we sing, dance, and play, binding the fear and freeing God-given courage to live.
Brimming with energy each day, I could hardly wait for the tasty lunch when we would stop working and dine. The planned and spontaneous discussions regarding meetings, families, business issues, new ideas, joys, and troubles kept me centered and present. Often we had such interesting conversations that it was tough to leave the dining halls.
Now all trips have glitches that prove to be learning experiences, so I have learned to watch for them. This trip was no exception. On the first day, I was exiting the registration building and passed two men, one a weighty older white Quaker, sitting on a bench. When they looked at me, with my dreds, I greeted them warmly. No response. Thinking that I had not been heard, I moved closer and spoke again. Same result. Without hesitation, I said, “Is this the day to picket Rubye Braye?” No reaction from them. I was shocked. Rather than create a scene, I left carrying an awful feeling. Here I had come to lead a workshop on “Living Your Truth in Community,” and had gotten worse than an unwelcoming greeting—none at all. Rather than hold this, I reminded myself that when yuck happens, it is not what occurs that is important, but how I choose to react. Since I believe that the response to all of life is love, I decided to love them. When I had an opportunity later in the week, I approached the weighty Friend to get his take on the incident. He sheepishly explained that he had been poorly treated earlier and was fuming; so when I passed, he took it out on me. Without hesitation, we hugged warmly and I moved on, once again grateful that I had chosen the harder love over the easy anger and bitterness. As I write this, I am reminded that forgiveness is the gift I give myself regardless of whether I ever receive an explanation or apology.
Thinking back, it is clear that Gatherings are special occasions to commune with God and each other. For these reasons, I will continue to attend, with the prayer that throughout the Gatherings and in life I will live my simple doctrine: Listen and obey the Spirit, love God, love myself, love others, and care for all of creation. Anything less is unacceptable. All my best until I see you at the next Gathering.
Rubye Howard Braye is a change consultant and coach in private practice working with individuals and organizations. As a member of Wilmington Friends Monthly Meeting of NCYM, she serves with a travel minute.
Western Gathering
- Expanding Circles by Aimee Bucholz
- Listen and Obey the Spirit by Rubye Howard Braye
- Touching others … others touching us by John Helding
- Water Has Memory by Raelyn Joyce
- Living Water Cards
- Sailing to Gathering by Linda Hill and John Scull
- More Reflections from the Western Gathering
