Friends Eastern Meeting is a smallish meeting, usually about six to eight people.  But today was unusual as we had two new people.  One was a young woman in her twenties and the other, an older lady.  Both settled in with the silence and stillness and became part of our corporate worship.

When our worship finished, both were asked (gently) what drew them to Quakers.  The younger woman said that she was a quiet person and enjoyed the quietude of Quaker worship.  She also admired and respected the history of Quakers and the social justice we are involved in.  She tentatively smiled as she said this.

The older woman thought for a moment and then said that she sits in silence every day at home.  When she has something to decide, she offers it to God and awaits God’s answer.  She also said that this was the one place she could say something like this and not be queried or ridiculed.

The older woman’s words really affected me and I wondered if it could have been ministry.  I too, sit in silence each day.  But I do not offer my decisions to God.  I make my own decisions and hope that God agrees with them…  But then, on reflection, I know with some of my decisions there is niggle.  The niggle can grow or just remain a niggle.  I sometimes ignore the niggle.  When I do this, the outcome is not good. 

I wondered if I too, should open up the process of my decision making to include God/Spirit.  Or at least pay more attention to the niggle!

But actually, what affected me most was the newcomer’s words that ‘talk about God or Spirit’ was accepted and welcomed here.  It helped me understand that we are providing a welcoming and safe place for people to share their spiritual experiences and aspirations.  How wonderful is that!