Lately, I’ve been feeling disconnected from peace. This has resulted, as it usually does, in anxious thoughts, impulsive decisions and wanting stuff – pretty, fancy, better stuff.
I’m not always quick about awakening to the source of my self-inflicted restlessness. I tend to wallow for awhile in a state of confused agitation before it dawns on me that, oh yeah, I’ve stopped praying and fasting and revolving my life around the Rock that is the Church.
This morning I woke up early (earlier than usual, that is) to savor a bit of silence and reflection before starting my day. About nine and a half seconds after I tiptoed into the kitchen, I heard footsteps on the stairs. “Hello?” came a little voice.
“I’m by the fire place,” I called out to my seven-year-old, who has always been impressively skilled at sniffing out my (attempted) stolen moments of solitude. “Is it daytime or nighttime?” she asked while crawling into my lap.
“Daytime, ” I told her, “But just barely.”
“Will you look at a book with me?” she asked.
“Sure,” I said, “Please bring me one about a saint.” I was longing for access to something holy.
She chose St. Seraphim’s Beatitudes by Priest Daniel Marshall.
St. Seraphim was born in 1759 in the town of Kursk, Russia, I began.
“Did you know him?” my daughter interrupted.
“You mean, like personally?” I asked.
“Yeah, when you were a little girl. Wasn’t that the same year you were born?”
“Ummmm, no.”
Pilgrims flocked to St. Seraphim for prayers and advice. “I implore you to acquire a peaceful spirit,” he said, “and thousands of souls around you will be saved.”
- From St. Seraphim’s Beatitudes
Mary and I spent a sweet, and convicting, twenty minutes with St. Seraphim. Just a sip of his great faith was enough to drive me to repentance. I’ve been guilty of cautiousness and wishy-washy-ness and trying to lean on my own understanding.
Holy St. Seraphim, pray to God for me!
I Arise Today
by John O’Donohue
I arise today
Blessed by all things,
Wings of breath,
Delight of eyes,
Wonder of whisper,
Intimacy of touch,
Eternity of soul,
Urgency of thought,
Miracle of health,
Embrace of God.
May I live this day.
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It’s not just you — Lent is a little late this year.
May we all manage to keep ourselves on track during this prolonged Ordinary Time!
“Prolonged ordinary time” – I really like that, Elissa.
Thank you for the message on peace. I could use some peace today!
So much peace to you today, Valerie!
Molly – it seems that whenever I try to pray my 15 year old daughter comes in to talk to me. I pray to God that the time she and I spend together talking and catching up will be blessed by God. Sometimes I wonder if He sends her into my room on purpose. . .
I don’t doubt it, Mary! That’s such an encouraging way to view the “interruptions” we experience daily as mothers.
Molly, Where did you find that sweet little hand-painted nun? She’s so sweet!
Hi Lindsay!
The hand-painted nun is from Holy Dormition Monastery in Rives Junction, MI. They have a lovely children’s garden there featuring many of the wooden nuns. I fell in love with them!
I love that line, “May I live this day.” Again, simple and yet so complex.
Beautiful book. The kids received it last year for Christmas. And Thomas and I were just reading again about St. Seraphim and his unique relationship with animals,
Love to you.
May we live this cold and cloudy brand new Monday, dear one! See you so soon!
So sweet! and so true. and so needed!
Your web site is beautiful. I am adding it to my list on my blog, if that’s ok with you. I came here from the blog Wild at Heart. I hope to learn a lot from your photography and your insights. I felt a lot of peace here. It was a quiet joy to start my day with your shared wisdom. Thank you.
Thank you for visiting me here, Deborah! And thank you for your kind and encouraging words!
St. Seraphim….a wonderful reminder to me. Thank you Molly
That book is lovely! If it makes you feel any better, my five year old told me that she thought I was 1989 years old yesterday