Yesterday I decided to continue my efforts to enclose my heart within God's will, despite all the challenges that seem to have come at me in what seems like a storm of diabolical resistance. I began my day with a Gospel reflection and morning prayers for the Liturgy of the Hours. Despite the noise and insistence by my mother-in-law that I "get off my [duff] and get to work," I held my ground and stuck to my prayer commitments before I did anything else. I explained calmly that I would get to it all, when I finished my prayers.
While chaos raged around me, I felt enclosed in God's peace as I prayed and reflected on Christ's admonition not to worry about what we are to eat or to wear. "So do not worry; do not say, What are we to eat? What are we to drink? How are we to be clothed? It is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well." Matthew 6:24-34.
After my prayers, I made breakfast and went to the garden for the carrots my mother-in-law wanted for today's meal (she likes to plan about three or four meals ahead, I've learned), and I began the housework that surprisingly didn't disappear while I prayed. There was ample time for all the work to be done. Prayer seemed to multiply my time and ability to get things done.
God has a way of taking care of us when we put our relationship with Him at the top of our list. Everything else fell into place. I did what was needed, and had time to study with my husband for a course we're taking. Then I took my mother-in-law and niece to mass, and we arrived early enough for me to be able to go to confession before mass. It was wonderful to rid myself of the weight of past sins and feel ready for a fresh start, with encouragement from the priest that attempting to enclose my heart in God's will is a good idea.
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