I Listened

Today is one of those days I just don’t have much motivation to “do” anything.. I think it comes from knowing that tomorrow school starts for me and I know I won’t have any down time till probably after Christmas. (OH! Did I mention that my books alone cost almost $600 dollars!!!! Ahhh! That’s insane. I’m certain it did not cost that much to produce and ship those books!) Nonetheless, gonna get out and see friends, come home do some chores and then spend time with the kids with homework while I cook a scrumptious dinner.
Phil went out on a deep sea adventure today.. sure hope he has a happy one and makes his dream catch. He has been dreaming for a long time of catching that BIG ONE. He tries hard too. So, I hope it happens for him today.
Last week I managed to aligned things just right and got to go off for a good 24 hour silent retreat .. ah. Of course it wasn’t long enough but, hey, I take what I can get. Lebh Shomea House of Prayer.. just what I needed. Funny how each time I have gone I have not gotten exactly what I have wanted but I trust I have gotten what I needed. This time around I stayed in the “Big House.” It is also referred to as the Kenedy Mansion and construction of the house began in 1918.
I much prefer the simple little one person cabins but this was last minute and I was grateful just the same. Lil talks about how much she just LOVES staying in the “Big House.” So, I was looking forward to the new experience.
Time solitude with God has a way of rejuvenating me like nothing else. And in such a beautiful environment of His beautiful creation and silence practiced by all who happen to be there at the given time. I am able to hear Him so much better… imagine that… still my world of thoughts keep me quite entertained and amused at some of the silliest things…the crunch of veggies during a meal...an accidental outburst of singing and then remembering to be quiet. When it comes to not being able to sing out loud or pray out loud, that’s the hard part. Thus, I end up spending some of my time at the chapel of the Sacred Heart where I a can sing and pray out loud with no one else around… very cool. And being in this little chapel itself is amazing…just knowing how much history has taken place there with the generations of Kenedy’s and the workers who did life with them.. weddings, funeral, and countless celebrations in this quaint chapel that to this day still has much of it’s original furnishings and things.
So, what did I hear anyway? The readings on Friday morning focused on the story of Ezekiel and God restoring to life the “dead bones” of Israel and breathing His spirit of new life into the bones and fully resurrecting them. As well as, “loving the Lord God with all your heart, with all your soul and all your strength.” The latter can only happen when we have God’s spirit flowing in us. Getting to the basics of what really matters, what really counts, and what our souls really need… to be content on Christ alone and to live a life worthy of the call to serve others.
It’s so easy to get so wrapped up in “doing,” in all the other relationships around us, and in the day to day happenings that we begin to lose sight of the truth. I was asking myself where that strong longing to love others well and have mercy and compassion on the poor and needy had gone. It hadn’t left; it just needed some fresh air to get the fire raging again.
I am really at peace today knowing that I can cast every care I have on the Lord because He cares and has my best interest in mind. And I will laugh with joy when things don’t go my way because I know His way is best. AND NO, this is NOT a Pollyanna attitude.. it’s just trusting God. And no it’s not always easy but I know it is doable.
Oh ya.. and the “Big House?” Well, I think I will stick to the small cabin as I said. I don’t know.. somethin’ about staying in a huge old old mansion all alone…ya.. not so much. Thanks! :)