Rest After Completion

Dear friends,

While attending a retreat led by colleagues at Ignatian Ministries in May, a clear phrase rose in my prayer- Rest After Completion. I was surprised when this phrase stirred in me. It felt like God knew my heart in ways that I did not quite understand yet.

For the last few weeks, I held this phrase in my morning prayer asking God to clarify what this meant and what was being offered to me. The Holy Spirit brought memory after memory to me of last year. I was reminded that:

• Our son graduated high school last year, and I was reminded of his beautiful journey – completed last May.
• Our son also has completed his first year of college away from home and the transition that brought for him and our home.
• Our family survived a very raw season of grief after our young neighbor’s suicide, and now each family member carries a wisdom and depth from the journey while having the ability to laugh, play, and smile again.
• Ignatian Ministries is founded and -God brought many more hands to help hold this mission, freeing me to step more fully back into my vocational work of accompaniment.
• My role as CEO with Ignatian Ministries is concluded, handing the day-to-day operations off to my trusted colleague, Kim Scott, and my call now is to be founder, ensuring that our vision and mission integrate across the whole for longevity.
• The Diocese of Baton Rouge Spiritual Direction Office is open after 7 years of leading the discernment of our call with the ministry of spiritual direction in my diocese.
• My new book, Encounter Grace, came out this past year, and my next manuscript was submitted in April (to be published in January 2027) returning me more fully to a season of writing.

The sequence of memories surprised me. I realized I had not taken a step back to look at the whole. My focus had been tending to each moment in front of me. The next task. The next step of the journey.

The Long View

God widened my vision to see the whole. I was invited to assess where I have come from, how God helped me through the journey, and acknowledge where I currently am. It reminded me of the opening line of that prayer about St. Oscar Romero, “It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.” In doing so, I realized that a lot had transpired and been brought to completion. It welled gratitude for the number of people and supports God put in my life to help these things happen. It left me in awe of God’s saving grace that empowered me to live through this and to create what God asked me to create.

I also knew in a different way -why I felt tired. I understood the phrase brought to me during that retreat a few weeks ago, “Rest After Completion”.  I did not yet understand what was complete.  Now I do.

Resting After Completion:  8 Day Retreat

So, my friends, as I write this today, I prepare to enter into my 8-day retreat. By the time you receive this, I will be close to the end of my retreat. As you read this, I simply ask for your prayers that I may “rest after completion” and allow the Holy Spirit to renew me in the ways God knows I need.

I invite you also to pause and take the long view. Let the Holy Spirit show you the journey you have come from and where you currently are. What do you see that you could not see on your own?

Know I will be praying for you on my retreat as I do every morning. May you also give yourself permission to “rest after completion”!

Peace,

Becky