Jesus, Take the Wheel

I'm reading Mary and the Interior Life by Fr. Shryock, CFR. In the first chapter he describes surrender and control with the example of driving in the car with Jesus.

When I have the wheel and Jesus is in the passenger seat, I listen to him give me directions to our destination. If he says, "Turn right," then I turn right. When he says, "Slow down," that's what I do. I am very attentive to him as we drive along.

Then he says, "How about if I take the wheel?" And I give him the keys and I sit in the passenger seat. But I soon learn that Jesus does not drive like I would drive. Sometimes he seems to go too fast for conditions. Or he takes a rough back road full of potholes. And sometimes he even seems to be asleep behind the wheel! I become anxious and maybe not trust the way he is driving, and I want to take back contol.

The author is writing about Mary's total surrender. I can't wait to read more. There are 14 chapters about the 14 Biblical moments in Mary's life.This book is based on a retreat he gave, 14 talks about Mary.

Mary our Mother, Help us say "Yes!" to God when He
invites us to trust him. Jesus is our Way,
our Father's house is our destination. 

Footprints in the Snow

I like to look out the window in the morning, like I did this sunny morning, and see the footprints in the snow, footprints made by animals and birds that have come into our yard. I don't always see the bunnies and the squirrels or other animals (like the deer), but I know they've been here. I see the impressions they have made.

I began to wonder, what are the impressions I leave behind me? Is it disorder or a mess? Any attempts to deceive? The echo of impatient harsh words?... Or do I leave behind me the results of loving service? The healing effect of kind and attentive words? The beauty of having created something new?

We leave impressions wherever we go. Some may be hardly visible and others very deep. People may even bear the scars of our hurtful actions long after we are gone. Or hopefully we leave behind us the impressions of love, beauty, truth, kindness.

Wherever I go, may I follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Come!

We have a little Beagle named Stella. When I call her, "Come," she takes her sweet time. Whe wanders this way and that way, searching for crumbs she might find on the floor, and being distracted by scents in the air that only she can smell.

When I say, "Treat," or if I rattle her treat jar, she looks up and sometimes runs to me.

Is it something like that when God calls to me? I am so easily distracted by what I see around me, looking for something else that would please me. However, when I am hoping for a special favor (a "treat") from him, or when I am praying for a special intention, I tend to focus more intensely on him.

I think the Lord would have us focus on him for the mighty, glorious, amazing God he is, and not as much on the favors gives. He longs for a personal relationship with each of us. All of our desires truly are completely fulfilled in and with him.

"Come, Stella, let's go for a walk," and Stella comes running to me.

"Come, my beloved. Come to Me and let us walk together
 to places you have never been,"
and may I come running to Him.

A New Year, New Resolutions

It is the beginning of a new year and a time when many of us are making "resolutions" to improve our lives, to become better people...

One of the gifts our daughter gave me for Christmas is a Bible study book. Toward the beginning of the book, one of the questions is about reflecting on the purpose of one's life. What is it that gives my life meaning? What is God's plan for me in my current circumstances? When I know my purpose, I can then make resolutions that will direct me in fulfilling that purpose.

What about the people who are closest to me? My family? My friends? Or even the people I encounter during the activities of my day? They, too, have a divine purpose. How about making resolutions to encourage and support others to accomplish their purpose in life?

How can I support my husband in fulfilling his responsibilities? How can I encourage our daughters to become the women they are called to be? What are simple actions I can take that can make life easier for others?

This year may my resolutions be not so much about improving myself and my own life, but about what I can practically do this year do to be more helpful to others.

                                        Photo by Eric Rothermel on Unsplash

  “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11