Is it in you?

There are homilies over the past many years that have stuck with me. Some because they are so quotable, a great story, or it just hits right at the heart at the right time. This one I share with you I remember where I sat in the church with tears in my eyes. Every time I listen to it, hits right at the heart despite being over 9 years ago when I first heard it. There have been times I have used this homily as part of an examination of conscious creating a fruitful Sacrament of Reconciliation. May Fr. Gary's words be as touching to you as it is for me.

Is it in you?

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Father, there are times I am full of pride and criticize the wrong of others. Guide me to humility to remember that I myself carry those same marks that others have as well. Be present with me as I make a good and humble confession. 

Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

Keeping with the workout routine

I find that the month of January is full of new individuals at the gym who are desiring to improve their health and/or fitness. Any gym junkie will tell you all the machines seem to be more frequently in use than they were just a month ago. However, sometime in late January things seem to slow down. Many of those who committed to a resolution to go to the gym multiple times a week or to lose x amount of weight seem to have stopped. There can be a number of reasons for this and every person has their own, but I think most frequently it is because it is hard to maintain the dedication with busy lives and results take a long time to see. Staying committed and losing weight/becoming more fit will not take a single workout to do, but time and practice. At the end of the day - regardless if you see results or not - you still did your body good by working out.

To be honest with you, there have been times that I start off with high aspirations and goals in my prayer life with either spiritual exercises or intentions. There have, however, been a few intentions in my prayer life I have been carrying for a long time and having these same sort of "I'm not seeing or feeling any results and I'm growing weary of being dedicated to these intentions." After a minute I realized that it is doing my prayer life good to keep going and not give up. It is not for me to "see" results or "feel" results in my prayer, but maintain the discipline to have a healthy prayer life and turn to Him. Just like working out, I may want something out of it, but really it is maintaining that spiritual discipline and turning to God with these things. So, if you are feeling possibly this way about an intention or prayer in general - don't give up...keep working out with our Lord because you will grow spiritually stronger!

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Father God, Thank you for always being patient with me when I want to give up on an intention or spiritual exercise. Help me to remain steadfast and know that I am gaining spiritual health and strength from my persistence. In your name, Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth

Being stuck behind the "slow car"

Recently our family took a road trip. If you have ever been on an extensive road trip anywhere you know there is a great likelihood of getting stuck behind a slow car at some point during the trip. This is especially true if there is construction or if it is a single lane road. There are times that this can feel like a nuisance and a bit frustrating. It can even be more frustrating when you are trying to pass them, but can't no matter what you do.

But, what if being stuck behind the slow car was actually a good thing for us?

We are so rush-rush in our lives. We eagerly await the next thing - next holiday - next adventure - the next moment. We move on from the old even before it is finished! (Think about the number of Christmas trees you see on the curb before Christmas Day is done.) When we are forced to slow down and not pass by the present opportunity we are truly living in the moment. Even when we are asked to embrace the slowness in front of us, we are still moving.

I know for me there have been times in my prayer that I'm asking God "Ok, what next?!" I'm ready to pass this slow and steady and do the next adventure. But perhaps it is simply for me to enjoy this slow and steady - to be present to each God given moment with joy. It is perhaps for me to be full of gratitude for this moment as it will not come again.

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Thank you Lord for the times you force me to be behind the slow car! Help me be present to each beautiful moment you have given me and not fret on what is to come next or wanting to get to the next thing faster. In your name, Amen.

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,

Elizabeth