In God's Glory

 

I was listening to a speaker and he mentioned doing everything in the Glory of God. That really hit me. I l reflected back on my past days activities and realized how many things I did that were not honoring God or helping build my relationship with Him

What I did well:

• I prayed and read the Word of God in the morning
• I prayed the Rosary on m way in to work
• I worked
• I offered up my struggles and blessings to God

Where I fell short:

• Spent too much time shopping for a camper
• Had an extra alcoholic drink 
• Got frustrated with people
• And many more

Resolution - my time is important and should be used to the betterment of myself or others. This can be accomplished by reading, praying, fellowship, and resting. It typically cannot be done through watching mindless TV for hours, scrolling social media, or drinking more than I should, to name a few examples.

Lord, walk with me daily as I try (and sometimes fail) to do all things in the Glory of God. Help me to remember my Guardian Angel is always present and is there to to light, guard, rule, and guide.

Amen

Abbey of Gethsemani - Silent Retreat

I arrived Monday April 14th for my first silent retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky. I knew that I needed to spend some quiet time reflecting on my life and how I could make some improvements. I was unsure what to expect or even where I was supposed to go check in. God sent an angel to guide me, Jim McCord. He is an old family friend (baby sitter) and we saw each other in the parking lot and since he had been down here many times before, he took me under his wing to show me around. The first hurdle was over.

During the first day, I attended the prayers the monks do throughout the day and figured out what book God was calling me to read.

Once I got settled, the silence kicked in. 

Tuesday morning I ventured out for a hike on the trails across from the abbey. The woods are beautiful  and being in nature provided the serenity I desired. I was able to pray, reflect, and get the guidance from God, that I needed. I came upon a statue of a person in distress. 

I reflected on the statue and realized I feel the same way he did many times before. As I continued to hike (up a very steep hill), I came upon a cross. The symbolism was powerful - as we suffer through distress, if we keep going, Jesus will be there with us.

"yield to the incomprehensibility of God's providence"

I saw this quote: "yield to the incomprehensibility of God's providence", and it really struck me. First of all, I need to give credit to Saint John Chrysostom as I read it in the Magnificat on the day of his memorial. 

It helped me answer questions that swirl around in my head

• What are God's plans?
• Why is there suffering for some and joy for others?
• Am I doing what God wants me to do?
• and so many more

God is beyond anything that I can ever comprehend and I shouldn't try. When I try to understand His plans, purpose, and desires, I am trying to put myself on His level, which I am no where near Him.

I need faith. 

            I need trust. 

                        I need love. 

                                    I need hope. 

                                                   I need community. 

                                                                     I need to learn. 

                                                                                         I need to act. 

                                                                                                        I need to pray.

                                                                                                                        I need God!

If I have those, I am growing toward God and pray that if I am blessed to enter into heaven, I will then be able to comprehend God's providence.

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Moses

 Moses intercedes for Israelites throughout their journey. He begs for the grace of God to forgive their sins and God does. This leads me to two questions:

1. Who is the Moses in my life that is praying for God to show His mercy on me? 

2. Who should I act as Moses did and pray to God for others that need His mercy. 

We must reflect and act on scripture. It is not just something that happened thousands of years ago but a lesson on how we should live our life today. 

Thank you Lord for your bountiful gifts that I enjoy every day. 

Daily reflection on the Israelites crossing the Red Sea

 God showed His love and power when he parted the Red Sea to allow His people to escape. They still had to make the right choices (which they did not always do) but God never left them. We may not see how God has parted the Red Sea for us, yet, He does walk with us daily. He protects and guides us, if we allow Him into our lives and listen. I pray for wisdom and patience to hear God's message to me today and that I head it.

Paul as a role model (one of many examples)

 I was reading 2 Corinthians (chapters 11 & 12) and Paul mentioned "a thorn in the flesh". I believe it is intentionally vague as to what it is referring to because the what is not important but the how he deals with it, is the true importance. He "begs" the Lord three times that he may be rid of it, but God said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness". As I reflect, I start to see all the thorns that are poking me. I cannot pluck them out on my own, I must pray to God for help, then listen for how I should handle. Some, He will take away and others he will allow to stay. That ones that stay, are there for a reason. God only gives us what we can handle and our challenges / sufferings are for a purpose. We will either grow from them or they may help someone else. Just trust in God and spread the Word.

 

Letting God work in me

 Today I heard a great point of view on how we get better. It revolved around how steel is shaped into something useful. First it needs to be heated, to become soft and then it is hammered to shape it. If you try to shape it when it is cold, it could break. As God is forming us, we must pray first. This softens us, so we can be formed. The hammer comes, with the challenges we face. Just like steel, if we are not softened first (through prayer), we can break. 

I write this reflecting on how God has shaped me when I have allowed him and when I felt broken, when I was distant from Him. A very recent example, was I felt tempted with a pull into sin. I made the effort to get up early and go to reconciliation and mass before going to work. I had gained strength by the time I returned from mass to resist the temptations that were so strong before.

God wants to walk the journey with us and we need to ask Him daily to do so.