When I was pregnant with my first child, the doctor told me that the hardest part of the entire process was going to be giving up control.
I laughed it off and proceeded to write out a three-page birth plan, which later had the labor and delivery staff laughing.
No one was laughing as I entered my forty-fourth hour of labor, but now eighteen years later I can see the humor in it all.
I wish I had let that time of surrender permeate me. Instead I tolerated the elements I couldn’t control, planned what I could, and then moved back to trying to control and plan everything possible once the baby came.
What I didn’t realize was that time of unpredictability and waiting was preparing me for all that was to come. It was training me to be a better mother, sister, wife. It was readying me for a future life, which was far more self-donative and much less predicable than the life I was living.
In the opening lines to today’s Scripture, Saint Peter talks about waiting for the Lord (2 Peter 3:12-13). How we carry ourselves during any time of waiting is important, whether we are waiting for a big event, a little hope to be fulfilled, or our eternal welcome home.
When we are waiting for something big, we are forced to live in the present even as we anticipate the future. In doing so, we can become either obsessed with some future event or milestone, or we can choose to ground ourselves purposefully in the present.
There is beauty in living in the present, in the silence, in the chaos, in the face-to-face interaction, and in the peaceful moments of prayer. And it is in the present that we are able to grow in grace.
God’s plan for us is a radical improvement over anything we could dream up. Rather than chasing our future or becoming concerned over God’s master plan for our life, let’s take time today to appreciate the present as a full and beautiful day in God’s special plan.
There is beauty in living in the present. // Dr. MaryRuth Hackett Click To Tweet
Good Morning! Thank you for doing the daily devotions. I look forward to reading the readings and the reflection everyday. I have also enjoyed listening to the readings along with the spoken reflection and prayer. I have noticed for the past couple of days this hasn’t been an option. Will it be coming back? The lady who is doing the reading, reads so nice. I love how she pauses and gets excited in different places, bringing the readings to life. Thank you so much.
Thank you for the Lenten Journal and Easter, Risen books too. Especially during this difficult time with the coronavirus, this was helpful. God bless all you are doing.
Hi! Yes we have run into some technical difficulties with the audio recordings but are working to get them back up!
MaryRuth, I needed this right now! Spoken perfectly and I think grows from the first time we talked at the 2nd BIS Retreat. I will print this and be coming back to it regularly!
Love!
That is so sweet. I am so glad it resonated with you!
Wow! I absolutely needed this. I am in the middle of so much uncertainty regarding my future career- so much is put on hold because of the pandemic and I am having a really tough time in this indefinite waiting period. This was so good to read.
So glad. <3
It is so hard on us all. Our culture moves so fast that having to stop and be present doesn’t come naturally.
It’s as if you were watching my life right now and felt the urge to speak to me. Thank you for these words, I needed to hear them.
Praise the Lord. <3
Well Candace I am def not but the Holy Spirit is!!
Truly this is exactly what i needed today. I’ve been struggling with the thought of when is my life going to start? It feels like I’m always waiting… yet married still 16 (never boring )years, three overly healthy (because they’re able to complain;) ), a extremely good career, nourishing volunteer positions in church and community. Why do I wonder when my life will start??
All this just to ask which NOVENA you mean. Please send. Prayer focus is calling me and i keep making excuses. Thank you in advance.
I would suggest a consecration to Mary. Think of that! It is a little more in-depth but maybe just what your soul is looking for now. Alternatively you can check out PrayMoreNovenas and see if you find one to fit your specific situation. God bless you!