Have you ever taken on projects that normally would be too much, but you're still managing to get things accomplished peacefully? Over the past few weeks, my plate seems to becoming more and more full. Yet, this Advent still seems to be more intentional slower when compared to years past.
Why is that? I'm not really sure. On top of the normal day to day of keeping everyone mostly safe, relatively clean, kind of fed, and somewhat educated, I have been given opportunities to grow in faith, fellowship, service, and my own education. Over the last few weeks I have entered into this new kind of peaceful busyness. . if there is such a thing.
Currently, I am admin-ing two Facebook groups. These are not solo endeavors; I'm working with some fantastic ladies! But, there is a bit of personal time devoted to it. One is the Catholic Peg Doll Swap group, with two other ladies. I get to serve women who want to share the faith with their families through crafts in a way they might not be able to otherwise. The other is the Catholic Woman Scopes group where I work alongside of Amber the nurturing pioneer, Sterling the encouraging evangelist, Ashley the philosophical apologist. We are just building a community with Periscope to grow in faith and fellowship with other women. And I'm trying to educate myself in Catholicism, classical education, social media, and how to be an adult while trying to remain a good wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Not to give you my laundry list, but to let you know I'm being pulled in ways I've never been pulled before.
I'm #Adventing with Ashley and we are reading The Joy of Advent with Saint Benedict. Each day, we the book provides us with the gospel, a quote from St. Benedict, a reflection, and a prayer. Today's short gospel spoke to me.
"Jesus said to the crowds: 'Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.'" Matthew 11: 28-30
And the St. Benedict quote paired with this gospel was incredible as well. He basically said to be obedient in the fight for Christ. He called obedience a "powerful and shining weapon". Obedience would be fulfilling God's will, would it not? In the reflection portion, it is reemphasized that we are to pick up Jesus' yoke, but not put ours down by carrying both we can see we can see the light of God. When we are obediently following God’s will, we are resting in Christ. Our burdens remain our burdens, but the burden is light. And then we can find peace.
Maybe that is what I’m experiencing, right now? This peaceful busyness?  |
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