By Kathryn Oehler

I remember the first time

I truly, deeply

understood You

The endless horizon of a desert floor

Red mesas in the distance

A narrow, rocky path crunching beneath my boots

Not a soul for miles

No bird song

No buzzing insects

Not even a breath of wind

The Silence

My God, the Silence

I cease my footfalls

And breathe You in

Immersing myself

My soul completely still

My heart ready to burst

My body near drunk

from Your Presence,

"I know why you came here," I whisper.

And You smile

and nod.

The knowing was written by Kathy Oehler and originally published in House of Peace. was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. After receiving her BSN from the University of Cincinnati School of Nursing, she moved to Dallas to join her husband, Greg. They currently live in Rockwall and have two sons and one grandson. After spending 12 years as an obstetrics nurse, Kathy left nursing to be a stay-at-home mother. It was during these years that she was called to ministry to the sick in their homes and skilled nursing facilities.

Later, she worked as a volunteer pastoral caregiver at four hospitals in the Dallas area. She is a graduate of Christian Healing Ministries School of Healing Prayer as a prayer minister and a 2014 graduate from HeartPaths Spirituality Center DFW as a trained Spiritual Director. She is currently enrolled in Seminary of the Wild Eco-Ministry Program. Kathy's ministry is to facilitate spiritual and emotional healing through listening, loving presence, prayer, and writing in the form of letters from God and poetry. Her journey embraces the mystical path and the cultivation of joy as a spiritual practice. Her hobbies include gardening, hiking, motorcycling, reading and learning a second language.

She is a regular contributor to Retreat House Spirituality Center’s blog. Read some of those pieces here.