It immediately conjured lyrics and melodies of the old church hymns, "In the Garden," and "Tarry With Me." That pleasant musical memory prompted another: the time we gathered for what was labeled the "Linger-Longer" hour. Those who wanted to sit and visit with each other over coffee and cookies would meet in the church basement after a service. Instead of rushing home, we would tarry--it engendered a type of unity and brotherly love.
The word is contained in many Biblical verses. However, its usage denotes two different sides of meaning. By definition, tarry means to stay in one place, an act of being inactive while expecting something. In Scripture, tarry is used to signify an obsequious warning as in 'do not tarry.' To hesitate about doing a particular something would be unwise; it could be dire. The other meaning of tarry serves as an admonition to linger longer in time and space with another to secure a comforting or even a joyous strength in mutually shared moments.
I can appreciate the peaceful essence of the word tarry. Even the sound of the word, for some reason, is calming. Perhaps it has to do with how the focus is time, not just 'wasting' time, but absorbing through leisurely yet careful observation, being mindful of being present with something precious or extending your company to another.
Wouldn't it be lovely if we could be free of the constraints of routine, schedules, and all the 'musts' and 'have tos' and just tarry without feeling guilty? How wonderful it would be to stroll through a luscious garden, or a field of wild flowers, or walk along the edges of a pond or river...and just tarry. How awakening and refreshing it would be to help dispel troubled or hurting hearts by choosing to share time with a loved one and have a meaningful conversation on a park bench and just tarry...
In the hymn "In the Garden"--
"And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known."
Thank you, Beth, for the word, for the thought...for the night is drawing nigh...Yes, come and tarry with me--for the day, indeed, is passing by...