Today’s reflection is written by Brian O’Neill
Friday, May 8
Drive and ambition to succeed in life are wonderful qualities. Drive and ambition that is fueled only by my personal agenda and ego is not sustainable nor spiritually healthy. Time and patience have been great teachers for me as I worked to build a successful life as a professional artist. I take risks and make bold choices to advance my career, some of which have been fruitful and others have not. Over the years of hard work, I have, at times forgotten about patience. In my zeal to succeed I forget to be patient with myself, with others, and with the results of my efforts. I have learned that there is no, ‘no’ for God—there is yes, not at this time and there is something better waiting. I look back now and I see that my failures, ended relationships, lost jobs, etc. were actually God protecting and redirecting me to safety and happiness. My part in this was to learn patience, faith and trust as I show up for myself each day and leave the results in God’s hands.
In this message from Mother Mary we are being reminded to pause on this journey of life. We are guided by a divine grace that teaches us to be patient as we strive for earthly success. We have all heard the phrase, in God’s time, but what does that mean? For me, it means acceptance that each day is gift. I take risks, make plans, and do so with an awareness that the results may not be what I want or anticipated but ultimately, I am always given what I need. If my happiness is determined only by events unfolding as I wished, then I would be an emotional pinball machine, bouncing from one state of anxiety to the next. Time and patience have taught me to let things play out and resist the urge to control the outcome.
Throughout my day I can pause within to seek God’s desire for my life and how can I be of service to others as well as myself. When I am able to pause with God, I remember who and what I am. Remember who and what you are. Our souls are older than time and as God’s perfect creation we are being asked to quiet our human brains and egos through an intentional practice of prayer and meditation. Patience with our ability to pause, lower, and listen is a beautiful and gentle gift that I believe Our Divine Mother is asking us to give ourselves and each other.
3 Comments
Mary Alice Moore
Patience is so difficult for me. Society today does not encourage patience but demands that we rush through each day. I need to take the time to be patient .
Francene C McCarthy
Dear Mary and Brian,
What a gift this pandemic has been to me in time and patience. It has given me the opportunity to just BE since I live alone. I have been able to welcome the morning in listening to the birds and the morning silence. I have been able to quietly, gently, softly and slowly read my Bible and take time to let it reflect within me. I have been able to choose the best time for me to read, reflect and meditate on your daily word. Thank you so much for all you have within that you have shared with me.
Blessings and love,
Fran
Colleen Fox-Salah
I quit the last full-time job I ever had in 1995 as soon as I earned my bachelor’s degree to attend graduate school full time. I had big plans. Then one child led to two children and much later a third. And things happened. After I earn my master’s, I continued to focus on my role as wife and mother, taking classes to prepare for some big reinvention. I would plead with God to please use me, to make my life remarkable. Over the years all that happened was that stability and connection grew within my family. A remarkable feat, especially for someone with little means and a trauma background. God never offered an alternative, so I stayed the course despite the criticism of those who resented what they considered my permanent vacation. I felt I had wasted my life.
When the pandemic hit and the world met me halfway by slowing way down, I finally realized that my life of semi-isolation has been a rare and precious gift. If I had not been afforded this space over decades, I would not have been able to use this time to go even deeper and finally have unlimited, conscious access to the truest, most abiding voice. The voice that extends to the furthest reaches and comes back again, that harmonizes with all, has become as real as my voice, any voice, that speaks and is heard.
It turns out God’s answer to my pleas was developing within me an uncommon awareness of the power of time and patience. Now these are my scaffolding. I haven’t done much. My life is remarkable.
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