Thursday, September 12, 2024

Dear God,

We live our lives as if we are invincible until we become ill when we quickly realize we are fragile human beings.  With the next week planned for home canning, a three-day vacation and a three-day silent retreat, I was not prepared to come down with Covid.  Yet, that is exactly what happened.

Times of upset, illness or accident are not wasted moments in life.  They are sacred moments to breathe in peace, love and wisdom.  As we rest, lay quiet and drink in sunshine, medicines and gestures of kindness, we can learn, reflect and listen, all valuable tools in human living.  It is also a time to give thanks, to express gratitude for daily gifts.  When we are down with nothing else to do, we can assess and evaluate our lives, attitudes and perspectives.  We can also pray for ourselves, those around us, the many who suffer, our nation and the world.  A Carmelite nun once taught me to always pray for others when we pray for ourselves.  Nope, not wasted moments at all.

Holy God,

thank you

for lessons learned

when we are

on our back.

Thank you

for reminding us

of our fragility.

Thank you

for making

all time holy.

Yours, Andrea