Sunday, November 4, 2012

Just can't contain my joy!

So I had a whole other post started and almost finished, but I decided it was too complain-y, and after my drive home, I just wanted to sing praises to God for how amazing my weekend was (too much? Well too bad 'cause that's how I felt. And please excuse the run-on nature of that sentence).

Did the weekend go exactly as planned? Of course not. They rarely do. But ladies (I assume only women are reading these rather feminine posts), I can't even explain the joy I felt as I was driving home. I had soooooo many wonderful conversations with some of the best friends a girl could ask for. I got to let out all of the things that have been eating away at me the past few weeks but also reminisce about all the great things that God has been putting in my life (e.g. all you fine women reading this :) ). I received advice on things I've been struggling with (like how to start forming a relationship with our Blessed Mother), and I basked in the gloriousness of beautiful friendships. Honestly, I don't even know what the highlight was, but one of them was definitely having the opportunity for so much prayer. I had so much time to reflect on things as they were happening (or at the very least, right after) instead of months after the fact. And I finally started coming to terms with the fact that I don't have to be 2 minutes away from my friends in order to keep up a good friendship, which was something I just couldn't seem to grasp with all this dang free time on my hands to sit and obsess about how much I miss them and how much it feels like I've been relegated to the "out of sight, out of mind" category. But that's obviously not true, and I guess it just took a wise friend to tell me so before I would believe it. Better luck next time, devil. Oh! And another big highlight was seeing two shooting stars on my way home tonight! A friend likes to think of them as winks from God ;)

I guess the point of this little post is just to express my amazement once again over how quickly God pours out His graces after just a small act of faith from us. Making time for prayer and attending mass seem like such small gestures to me (despite the fact that I still struggle to do them on a daily basis...), but this weekend has taught me (or at least re-instilled in me) how much God yearns for us and how much He desires to show us that He loves us, if we would only let Him. I'm still processing everything that's going on, so if this seems like just one big rambling, I apologize. I just needed to start the reflection process, and blogging seems to be a good outlet for me to do that. I feel so blessed to have friends who challenge me to become a better version of myself (props to Matthew Kelly for that phrase). I can't thank them enough for the constant support they give me and the changes they've caused in my life. They just have a way of getting me to think about things I normally wouldn't think about, and they invite me to do small things (like praying night prayer) that wind up having big consequences (like wanting to develop a better prayer life). And the best part about it is that everything is done over a cup of coffee. They just make having a relationship with Jesus seem so effortless and it makes me want to do everything I can to reach that point. So I ask them how they do it and find new ways to continue to grow.

Okay, I really am just rambling now because I just can't stop smiling and thinking about all the happy things this weekend contained. I hope all of you had weekends as astounding as mine! And if you didn't, that's what I'll be praying for this week. Have a great night :)

P.s. I finally got the new Mumford and Sons CD (along with some Audrey Assad and JJ Heller). AND THEY'RE ALL SO GOOD! I heart music.

6 comments:

Nej said...

This was a fun post to read! :) I love the energy for the Lord! So awesome.

No one ever tells you how it's gonna be after college, ya know? When your community is stripped away from you... then what?! I know what it's like to have all of my close friends not be geographically close. But, true friendships will withstand the distance. They will call, text, email, etc to check in on you. God will remind you always that you are not alone. I am so excited for you!!

Also, I love Audrey Assad, too!! Great stuff.

Megan@positivelyimperfect.com said...

Visiting you on your home turf now:)

I love astronomy and shooting stars are just amazing, aren't they?! And the high you get from unconditional love just makes you feel light as a feather--whether it's a conversation with God or a real friend.

I love what a wonderful and fresh perspective you gave on getting closer to God...how he pours His graces out with just a little act of faith. I definitely needed to hear that today! We are trying to do the 'read the Catechism in a Year' emails, but so far that has been tough and we've only done a few in the past two weeks. But you just reminded me that if I give what I can, God meets me where I am :) Thanks for that, and happy week!

Unknown said...

Ah you seem so enthusiastic:) I love when I feel this way about prayer, what a wonderful thing it is! How amazing that you saw 2 shooting stars on your way home after having such a good prayerful weekend. I hope you have an equally wonderful week!

Jordan said...

Universities really should offer a class on how to adjust to life after leaving! Especially for those of us who don't embrace change as much as we should...coughcoughMEcoughcough. Luckily for me, I've learned that God never changes (yay!) and friendships rooted in Christ are much stronger than I sometimes give them credit for. Plus it helps that He gives me new online friends to help in the loneliness department :)

Jordan said...

Reading the whole Catechism in a year?? What a great (albeit daunting!) goal. You've inspired me to pick up my own version (I've only got the YouCat) and start reading it on more of a regular basis. I hope this week provides more opportunities for you than the last couple weeks have, though I know how difficult it is for moms to find any free time! I'll be sure to say an extra prayer for you :)

Jordan said...

Thank you, Mama Leigh! I couldn't agree with you more--it's so nice when God rejuvenates us through prayer :) Now I just need to remember these moments during the times when prayer is dry and I'm not experiencing such a high (always easier said than done!).

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