It makes all the difference

This is part of a reflection written by Fr. Jerome Kodell, OSB. It is something I’ve been learning and love how clearly he expressed it!

“When I returned from graduate studies many years ago, my time was taken up by many things: preparing and teaching classes, researching, working on special projects. I was very busy and I hated to be interrupted while I was working or on the trail of some exciting idea.

I thought all was going well until my spiritual director said, ‘Yes, you’re doing very well, except for one thing.’

“What’s that,” I asked, startled and ready to be offended.

“When someone wants to talk to you, you’re too busy. ‘Not right now. See me later.’ That’s Christ trying to get a minute of your time. You’re putting him off, but he wants to make your time his time.”

That got my attention, and I could see it was true. But how do I change that pattern? “That’s easy,” he said. “When someone interrupts you with a knock on the door or a telephone ring, instead of frowning at the interruption, before you answer say to yourself, ‘I wonder what Christ looks like this time; I wonder what Christ sounds like this time.'”

It is a little thing, but it makes all the difference.

I wonder what Christ will look like today?  🙂

Read Full Post »

Love is waiting

“You can pray for him, if you want.”

Words from a dear one, tentatively reaching out for prayer. Raised in the church but long absent, a trial faces him that makes him sad and afraid.

And so I pray for them all: healing for the one, and that God would stir their hearts and help them turn to Him in prayer themselves; that they would learn to trust God and grow in love for Him.

This is my deepest desire for all of my loved ones – that they seek Him, know Him, love Him. I hope and pray this for THEIR sake and for His. It is the most wonderful thing I could hope for anyone; it is my own greatest treasure and who doesn’t want the best treasures for the people they love the most?

A week later, a text: “Positive thoughts and good wishes worked! He is cancer-free, and there is no tumor at all!”

My heart sinks just a little. Of course I’m thrilled at the news; it is wonderful! But just as it’s human nature to think of God when we are in distress, it’s also human nature to forget Him when things go our way. Good wishes? Thoughts? Where is God in this?

He is where He always is – dwelling within us, waiting, inviting, working in good times and in bad to draw our hearts toward Him. From the cross He declared: “I thirst.”

He thirsts for each and every single soul.

I pray we respond, for our own sake and for His glory.

Love is waiting.

 

Read Full Post »