In his thirteen years as Vicar, popular author David Adam welcomed over 1 million pilgrims to the Holy Island of Lindesfarne in Northumberland. Each pilgrim had a story to tell and each came for a different reason. Some radiated a sense of God's presence, and others were simply too hurried to do anything but look around quickly and move on to the next site. Using the stories of pilgrims Adam encountered on Holy Island, he explores how we can approach our own lives as pilgrimage, without ever leaving the comfort of our homes. How can we move beyond what is safe in our world and encounter the Mystery? How can we learn to disconnect from all the technology that keeps us multi-tasking all day and all night? How can we rediscover awe in the world around us? In the wonderful prose and poetry for which he is so well-loved, David Adam helps us get on the road of life, even when we don't have time to travel to distant lands. “ The Road of Life provides opportunity for spiritual reflection and is ideal for those looking for a different sort of Lent book… [it] is well-written and full of nuggets providing ample food of thought.” ―Christian Marketplace "Those familiar with this creative author's books will appreciate his prayers, his natural delight in senses and wonder, and his ability to convey the special bounties of Celtic Spirituality. All of these are on display in this fine paperback." ―Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Health "Adam has a gift for writing prayers in the Celtic pattern." ― Episcopal Life “ The Road of Life provides opportunity for spiritual reflection and is ideal for those looking for a different sort of Lent book… [it] is well-written and full of nuggets providing ample food of thought.” ―Christian Marketplace "Those familiar with this creative author's books will appreciate his prayers, his natural delight in senses and wonder, and his ability to convey the special bounties of Celtic Spirituality. All of these are on display in this fine paperback." ―Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Health "Adam has a gift for writing prayers in the Celtic pattern." ― Episcopal Life DAVID ADAM (1936-2020) is one of the best-loved figures in Celtic spirituality. The author of many successful books published in English, Finnish, German, Polish, and Welsh, he was vicar of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne for thirteen years. After retirement, he continued to write, lecture, speak, and lead as a spiritual director. THE ROAD OF LIFE Reflections on searching and longing By DAVID ADAM, Monica Capoferri Church Publishing Incorporated Copyright © 2004 David Adam All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-8192-2169-8 Contents IntroductionThe Lord is HereOccupied TerritoryHow Awesome is this PlacePractising the PresenceJesus of the JellyPilgrims with Three LegsOn Being HumanThe CloisteredLife is a CelebrationReferences CHAPTER 1 The Lord is Here It was a typical August day. It was noon and I had already taken three services andspoken to over sixty American visitors. The church was heaving with people. At thismoment it felt more like a supermarket than a place of prayer. I just wanted to escape. Atthe back of the church sat a busload of Saga pilgrims, obviously a little tired. They weretrying to eat their packed lunches without being noticed. In the south aisle a very intelligentman was standing by the facsimile of the Lindisfarne Gospels and proclaiming his wisdom.He was speaking in a stage whisper so that all could hear and acknowledge it. In the northaisle a group of children were sitting on the carpet and making merry sounds. Theirchortling showed they were very happy to be where they were. There were at least 150people just wandering around, most looking rather lost. There were three mums withbuggies in the main aisle. (I am convinced that people with buggies – or supermarkettrolleys – tend to display their genetic descent from Boudicca! Anyone who stands in theroad is in danger of being mown down.) Someone stopped me and asked, 'Do you stillhave services in this church?' When I told him, 'At least three every day,' he refused tobelieve me, saying, 'No one goes to church that often.' I felt I had had enough for onemorning. What can be done with such a madding crowd? With the excuse of lunch, it wastime to escape this busy place. Before I could get to the door, in strode a group of young people. They made straight forthe front pews on either side of the main aisle. As there were about twenty of them, theyalmost filled four pews. After a deep bow to the east, they all knelt except one. This was apretty young woman who stood with arms raised in prayer. Suddenly, the whole churchwas silent. The air began to tingle. There was some strange power at work. You couldactually feel it. No one in the church dared to move. The children were the first to sensethe change and became absolutely still and quiet. The loud speaker ceased from hislecture. The Saga pilgrims stopped