It was a chilly 29 degrees when I first opened my eyes, and the whole house looked like it was holding its breath. The window had that wintery glass look to it, and even the floorboards felt cold under my feet. Sister Mary Claire was already up, moving gently so everything stayed quiet and peaceful, like she didn’t want to wake the whole morning too fast. Mini was curled up tight, with her little nose tucked in, and when I whispered her name she did a tiny thump-thump with her bottom like she was glad it was still us.
Robert picked us up for morning Mass, and I was thankful for his truck the minute we stepped outside. The air pinched my cheeks, and my scarf felt like a blessing. Mini sat close like she always does, watching the world out the window with her serious little face, and then looking back at us as if to say, “Are we all together?” Robert drove careful on the cold road, and the heater smelled like warm dust and kindness.
At Church, Father LeRoy explained today’s meditation about the Infant Jesus in the manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid on straw. Father said there is something so strong about how little and simple Jesus chose to be. Not fancy, not loud, not trying to impress anyone—just there, with bright eyes that promise peace. He told us simplicity isn’t pretending we don’t have faults, but having a straight heart that wants to please God and not twist around with secret little selfish plans. He said simple souls are like children walking beside a loving Father—doing today’s work with trust, without worrying themselves sick about tomorrow.
I kept thinking about how I can make things complicated in my head, even little things—like wanting to do everything all at once, or wanting people to notice when I do something good. But Jesus in the manger doesn’t ask for that kind of busy, tangled feeling. He asks for one clean intention: to love God and do His will. Father LeRoy said if we fall, we don’t have to turn mean toward ourselves—we just humble down, and begin again, like a child who knows she’s still loved.
When we got home, the day still looked cold outside, but my heart felt warmer, like there was a small steady lamp lit inside me. I want my life to be more like that manger—plain and honest and full of love.
Resolution: Today I will do my duties with a simple, honest heart, and try to please God alone—quietly, without fuss.
Prayer: O dear little Jesus, teach me to be small and true of heart. Help me to love what Thou lovest—humility and simplicity—and to begin again when I fail. Amen.
Love, Kathy.
Meditation source:
No comments:
Post a Comment