- Feb 5, 2002
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A college-age pilgrim finds refuge and spiritual solace in the Eternal City.
“No! Sit!” an Italian grandma yelled at me.
I did not want to sit.
I wanted my coffee, and then I wanted to go find another church in Rome. I only had so much time in the Eternal City.
But she insisted, so I sat down.
You never argue with Italian grandmas.
Immediately, I became restless.
But when she delivered my cappuccino and cornetto, I savored it, grateful for the break where all I had to do was be.
For the past few days, as I walked around Rome, I found myself distracted by everything around me: the people, the buildings, the food and the classes I was taking.
I struggled to slow down and moved through the days at a rapid pace, which left me feeling anxious.
But here, in this tiny café, I slowed down.
And I enjoyed it.
When I left and went back into the streets, I experienced the familiar discomfort and unease that I entered the café with. Quickly, I realized that it was a spiritual unease that no cappuccino or cornetto could fix.
Continued below.
www.ncregister.com
“No! Sit!” an Italian grandma yelled at me.
I did not want to sit.
I wanted my coffee, and then I wanted to go find another church in Rome. I only had so much time in the Eternal City.
But she insisted, so I sat down.
You never argue with Italian grandmas.
Immediately, I became restless.
But when she delivered my cappuccino and cornetto, I savored it, grateful for the break where all I had to do was be.
For the past few days, as I walked around Rome, I found myself distracted by everything around me: the people, the buildings, the food and the classes I was taking.
I struggled to slow down and moved through the days at a rapid pace, which left me feeling anxious.
But here, in this tiny café, I slowed down.
And I enjoyed it.
When I left and went back into the streets, I experienced the familiar discomfort and unease that I entered the café with. Quickly, I realized that it was a spiritual unease that no cappuccino or cornetto could fix.
Continued below.

Sometimes You Just Need to Sit With Jesus
A college-age pilgrim finds refuge and spiritual solace in the Eternal City.