Somehow I find that I am on a mailing list to receive a news magazine created by the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota. It is simply called ‘Our Journey.’ The pages are filled with stories of the various ministries of these women and I always enjoy reading what they are up to. The most recent one included a report on the bounty from the garden of Sister Ruth. Clearly this nun is good at not only growing vegetables and distributing them appropriately but also at record keeping. The report included the records from the harvest of 2010 in which volunteers gathered 1126 lbs. of cucumbers, 1049 lbs. of tomatoes, and 1231 lbs. of watermelon just to name a few. Reading about the extent of this harvest filled me with such joy. The fact that this all happened in the ‘motherhouse’ garden made my joy complete as I have been enamored by the term motherhouse since hearing it for the first times several years ago.

But what I enjoy most while reading this magazine is, oddly enough, the memorial entries of those sisters who have died since the last printing. This month’s were particularly memorable. Their wisdom is so fulfilling as they share quotes of these beloved women in their community. One of the sisters whose work had been with those in need was remembered by her words:” People who are poor know how to wait. They wait for a check. They wait for help. It’s something we can all learn here in America: to learn to wait.”

What a challenging reminder of our place in the family of things. I carried the words of this woman I had never known with me into my day. Waiting. It is indeed an important gift, an important lesson to learn and a practice to perfect. Not only because it reminds those of us of privilege about those who are in need but because waiting can birth patience and patience can birth humility and humility can birth love.

Another of the sisters who had lived to the ripe age of 100 years had actually been a part of the Orphan Trains that made their way to these prairies in the early 1900’s. Her story seemed a happy one unlike some others I have heard. From the description of her life she was a spitfire and loved the work and travel of mission. But it was one quote that she treasured that captured my heart: ” She who loves work is always on vacation.” The article goes on to say that this sister’s joy was her work and so she felt as if she was on vacation her whole life. It must have been true because she worked until the last year of her life. 99 years and still working…..or having a vacation!

At some point I must have given money to these Franciscan Sisters or purchased something they have made which has placed me on this mailing list. Many people would probably just pitch this mailer among all the other stuff that arrives at the door. But this particular magazine is a great reminder to me of all the rich lives being lived out and all the wisdom that comes from living close to earth, close to a community you love and close to the One who birthed us into being.

In these days when it is often difficult to cut through the vitriol that flies as fast as a hummingbird’s wings, these are the stories that fill me and bring me hope. This unsolicited magazine filled with pictures and names of those I do not know bring me up short and cause me to pause and remember what is really important. In some ways it is the work these sisters have quietly done their whole lives. What a gift that they can continue to inspire even after their bodies have left this earth.