Being Still: Appreciating God's Blessings

-
As you grow up, life seems to get faster. Days are jam packed full of activities. You rush from one thing to the next and barely have time to breathe. During these days, it’s important to ask yourself, are you living with intention? Are you fully experiencing each moment God has given you?
Too often, when life gets full, the answer to the above questions is no. We simply fly through life, living on the surface, not fully experiencing it. How can we change this?
We can try to live with intention and thank God for each moment He sends us. St. Gianna Molla says that “the secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that He, in His goodness, sends to us day after day.” This means we need to appreciate everything God sends us. Appreciate the small daily joys. Appreciate the daily hardships as they allow us a chance to grow in holiness. Appreciate everything! Thank God for everything!

I’ve always found it very difficult to live in the moment. I tend to want to look ahead and I am always stressing about “the next thing.” My friends often encourage me to relax and have fun when I have the opportunity. I can worry about homework or whatever “the next thing” is at a later time. While it can be difficult to relax and enjoy yourself when you know there are things that must be done eventually, it is necessary to realize that God calls us to be present. In Matthew 6:34, Christ tells us, “do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Do not waste your life worrying about tomorrow. Savor each blessing God sends.

Psalm 46 tells us to simply “be still and acknowledge that I am God.” Being still means listening. It means contemplating. It means setting aside time for God and it means allowing yourself to truly live your life instead of flying through it. Live each moment. Do not waste what God has given you.

As we approach Christmas, fully experience the anticipation of Christ’s birth. After all, anticipation is the entire point of Advent. Likewise, during the Christmas season, enjoy the celebration of Christ’s birth. Allow yourself to fully experience these things as God asks.


God bless,
Mary Grace







Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Different Kind of Summer Job

-
Image
This past week, I started an internship. I am an intern for the Catholic Pro-Life Committee and I am working as a sidewalk counselor this summer. My job is essentially to provide support, help, and options, for women entering abortion clinics. The goal is obviously to save the life of the baby and help the women and their families through whatever difficulties they are facing. I have been Catholic and Pro-Life for as long as I can remember. It was how I was raised. I always knew abortion was wrong because it takes an innocent life. It hurts the woman, it kills the baby. However, I also knew that the women who turn towards abortion often do so out of desperation. I always felt empathy for these people. However, after working two days this week, I realized that being aware of abortion and its heartbreaking effects and seeing it with my own eyes were two different things. It's honestly so hard, watching the women walk into the clinic. I imagine the circumstances which lead the...
Read more

Currently...8/3/17

-
Image
source Current book: I've been soaking up the last few weeks of freedom where I have time to read whatever I want. I've still been into historical fiction and I recently finished Nella Last's War and The Girls of Ennismore. Nella Last's War is the actual diary of Nella Last, a housewife in England during World War II. It is fascinating to read about her day to day life during the war. I loved it! The Girls of Ennismore was very enjoyable, reminiscent of Downton Abbey, The Girls of Ennismore is set in Ireland and explores very fascinating themes regarding class and birthright. Another enjoyable read! Current music: I haven't actually been listening to much. When I do listen to music, lately it's been musicals like Hamilton. Current guilty (or non-guilty) pleasure: Hmmm...can't think of anything... Current food: MANGO. And cookie butter from Trader Joes. Not together of course... Current obsession: Morning walks with Molly (our dog). It ...
Read more

Some Monday Motivation

-
Image
Alas it is Monday. I'm feeling the effects of this weekend, as I arrived home from Austin yesterday evening after a two day Irish dance competition. The competition went fairly well, it was my first time competing in a year and I was mostly happy with how I danced. My competition is insanely difficult so I wasn't expecting to place very high. But now it's back to real life. I have three weeks before Nationals in New Orleans! Anyway, in case you too and in need of a little motivation this week, enjoy these quotes!
Read more