Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Make Time for the Divine ~ Finding Peace

Time is such an odd idea once you contemplate eternity. Just to name a few methods, mankind measures and marks off time by seconds, hours, days, weeks, season and years. Time can be remembered by birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and deaths. Some of my readings are touching on the idea we all have of “if only.” If only I can get that first job, I’ll be happy. Maybe it’s if only I can buy a house, I’ll be happy. There are possibly infinite if only, I’ll be happy” scenarios, but is our mission in life to be happy 24/7? Does this really happen for anyone? I can’t see how. Eventually we experience illness, death of loved ones, ridicule, gossip, no chocolate (not devastating, but disappointing) and all kind of unhappy events.

Rather than waiting on the next event or success to make us happy, we should focus on the present moment. In taking more of mankind’s measured time to spend with God, I’m finding a place of peace. Not just peace of heart, but the peace that passes all understanding. This is probably a bad analogy, but it is like riding in a car with someone you love. You don’t have to make small talk. The two of you can just ride along knowing the silence doesn’t diminish your love for one another. This is how my time with our Lord has been the last couple of days. You may wonder what I’m doing different. The difference is I’m spending more time with God. I’ve started praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 pm (the time we believe Jesus expired on the cross). After prayer, I’m reading some books I didn’t have “time” for. My night reading and prayer schedule remain unchanged, but adding another time for prayer and study is a renewal. Maybe just maybe, God is getting it through my thick skull when He says, “quit running ahead, take some time, and just walk with me for awhile.”

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If you are unfamiliar with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, following are some of the prayers:

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Read more about Divine Mercy.

3 comments:

Jill said...

Love that chaplet, always bring me peace. Seems to me all the hurry people are in just a demonic plot to keep us from spending time with God and everything getting faster all the time-we all get the same 24 hours in a day-good for u making sure u spend them wisely and putting Him first!

Unknown said...

Actually that was a great analogy! I too need to be reminded to stop running ahead.
God Bless!

Heartfelt Heartlook said...

Jill, I agree! All the distraction, noise and activity. Even on Sunday~I'm guilty at times too. Thank you for your comments and visit.
Hugs and blessings your way.

Karinann, thanks~you're so sweet. Actually your blog helps me with prayer! Hugs and blessings your way too!