What can one expect from an order of Joyful Hermit Hermits?  This past week brought an online order, and Joyful Hermit found out what it is to be a hermit-put-to-work.  Ora et labore, advised St. Benedict:  Pray and work!  Joyful had an order for a half-dozen Joyful Hermit Hermits shipped to four separate addresses.  First thing, a hermit prays for the success of the venture, as confidence has been placed, and to be honored.

Then off to purchase fresh eggs, for JH uses quality ingredients and some secret ones, too.  The suggested donation for the Hermits is below commercial online prices, but JH offers an ingredient that only Joyful Hermit provides, gratis:  Prayers for the order’s recipients!

From start to finish in the sifting, mixing, spice-selecting process, a joyful hermit prays.  Then comes weighing and packaging.  Each Joyful Hermit Hermit amply provides 1.25 ounces of substance, health, and savor.  And as Joyful Hermit is a solitary enterprise, every step from start to finish is unique–say, homespun–down to the hand-crafted, individualized gift boxes, this time.Why just this time?

Well, with each order Joyful uses card stock come upon here and there.  Do you expect an authentic hermit to mass produce?  Surely not!  Ingredients and size do not vary unless one requests certain dried fruits and nuts over others, and the prayers remain steadfast and focused.  However, the packaging may vary by what’s around the hermitage that seems joyfully creative!

The hand-written note from JH is yet another reminder that this is not a money-making venture.  (Yet even hermits need to earn a buck in this day and age.)  The effort takes hours; Joyful Hermit, rather fatigued, rejoices when the parcels ship to destinations without a hitch.  JH ponders anew the process, appreciating the expense for one ordering and donating generously.  Thanks be to God!  Joyful also notes: Prayer for others and the world is a hermit’s number one work.  Might these hermit cookies be a sweet secondary?

Visitors to the hermitage this afternoon offered a great idea.  Why not get the Joyful Hermit Hermits in a monastery catalog?  Sales would increase dramatically!  But JH is first about the spiritual life, of helping others in heart and soul–as well as body.  Keeping things simple and solo  for now seems faithful and true to a true hermit’s calling….