19 October 2009

Our Single Endeavor


"My confidence is based in God
who does not need our help for accomplishing His designs.
Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work
and to be faithful to Him."

Saint Isaac Jogues


Happy feast of the North American martyrs! Had to post this quote today, and a great photo of a sunset from the ship a couple weeks ago. Remember--it's all about fidelity!

10 October 2009

The Sanctity of the Ordinary

"God waits for us every day
in all the immense panorama of work.
Understand this well:
there is something holy, something divine,
hidden in the most ordinary situations,
and it is up to each of you to discover it...
Either we learn to find our Lord in ordinary everyday life,
or else we shall never find Him."

Saint Josemaria Escriva


Obedience. This is definitely, in a sense, a vow I have taken as a member of the military. You go where you are told, do what you are told, and that's just the way it is. Even if it is not what you wanted, or not what you think will be ideal, you face what is asked of you and then adapt to make the best of it.

It seems like I've had several moments during these couple of months I've been on active duty where I've thought to myself, wow, I'm finally getting this and finally feeling a sense of comfort and steadiness. Feeling good; feeling comfortable. And, it has been soon after having these feelings that something changes. Something is asked of me, something happens, something comes along that brings me out of that comfort zone I had. You can't question it, you can't argue it. Complaining about it has no benefit. You just say, ok, let's do it. Obedience. Abandonment. Trust. Everyday is filled with these little fiats, these moments where I get to prove my trust in the Lord and echo the words of our Blessed Mother, be it done unto me according to Your word. Comfort? Who needs it. We were not made for comfort, we were made for greatness!

As far as this quote, from Saint Josemaria, this is very much the life I am trying to lead. Never before have I so recognized God in the mundane, the ordinary, the routine aspects of day-to-day life. Never before have I realized the beauty of each individual moment of the day as an opportunity to give glory and praise to God, by the means of your fidelity to living fully your state of life and being Christ to all you meet. It's a challenge, but definitely an adventure.

With joys and with challenges, I am indeed thriving.
Thanks be to God!