Reflection by Lisa Connor
Today's Gospel: Luke 1:5-25
How many times does God grant me a gift and I simply do not notice?
Warm sunshine on a cold day. Perfect execution of dinner preparation. Surprise encounter or call from a friend. Walking the dog. A hug from my child that is seeking comfort. Ten minutes of quiet. Laughter at dinner. A challenging job. Caring teachers. Clean laundry for a day. A good book. Friends who care. Homemade cookies. A church to attend. The cluttered van that shuttles umpteen miles a week. These are gifts, and I take them for granted.
I’m so caught up in incomplete tasks and goals not achieved that I fail to notice the real gifts. Perhaps if God muted each of us for a day or two--maybe a week--we would truly recognize the amazing life we have been given. I need to be Elizabeth, so thankful of a burden lifted that she revels in the blessing for five months. Five months--my gratitude often fades after a day or two. I am more like Zechariah, unbelieving in the gifts. Perhaps I need to reprioritize. What if I use the energy and fervor usually reserved for my to-do list and direct that same vitality to noticing God? I wonder if I might be speechless--so overwhelmed with gratitude that I rejoice for months.
Copyright 2019 Lisa Connor Lisa Connor is the mother of five children, ages 10-19. She has been married to her husband for 23 years. She leads a class of second graders through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and works on enrollment at her parish school to help bring Catholic education to more children. When she's not shuttling kids, cooking large meals or participating in family activities, she can be found reading or gardening. Receive CatholicMom.com newsletters in your inbox, including the Daily Gospel Reflection each morning! * indicates required
Ponder:
How do I grow silent in the noise of this world that I might truly see the gifts God is offering each day?Pray:
Lord, teach me to be silent. Let me feel comfortable with quiet and allow me to appreciate my daily bread that You grant so freely. Amen.Copyright 2019 Lisa Connor Lisa Connor is the mother of five children, ages 10-19. She has been married to her husband for 23 years. She leads a class of second graders through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and works on enrollment at her parish school to help bring Catholic education to more children. When she's not shuttling kids, cooking large meals or participating in family activities, she can be found reading or gardening. Receive CatholicMom.com newsletters in your inbox, including the Daily Gospel Reflection each morning! * indicates required
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