This morning was minus eight degrees, and the wind was blowing so hard it felt like it could scrape the skin right off your cheeks. Snow kept whipping past the house in fast little sheets, and the drifts around the picket fence looked sharp and lumpy, like the world had been carved instead of gently covered.
Robert came for us right at the gate outside the fence, bless him. He pulled up as close as he could so Sister Mary Claire and I wouldn’t have to fight the wind any longer than necessary. Mini came too, of course—she stepped into that cold like she was proud of it, ears up and eyes bright, and then she settled in like she belonged in Robert's pickup as much as we did.
At Mass, I kept thinking about the meditation for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul—how Saul was so sure he was right, and then the Lord stopped him in a flash and turned his whole life around. And the words that stayed in my mind were: “Lord, what wilt Thou have me do?”
Sister explained that this is the most important question a person can ask, because it means you’re done arguing with God and you’re ready to obey Him—quickly, like St. Paul did.
Sister told me that sometimes God’s light comes like a big surprise, and sometimes it comes quietly—like a little thought in your heart that says, be kinder… stop pouting… do your duty… say your prayers… And she said we should follow those little inspirations right away, because grace is a gift, and we shouldn’t make the Lord “knock twice” on a stubborn heart.
She also said St. Paul, after he was struck down, had to be led and guided—he had to trust obedience, and wait on God’s timing with prayer and fasting, and not demand comfort right away. That made me think of the cold wind again—how you can’t boss it around, you can only keep steady and do what’s right anyway.
When we got home, the snow was still flying past the fence rails, and the yard looked like it was full of invisible white birds. I said that little line again while I stomped the snow off my boots: “Lord, what wilt Thou have me do?”
And I tried to mean it, even for plain chores—because if God’s will is the “guiding star,” Sister says you don’t get lost, even on the windiest days.
Evening Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for bringing St. Paul out of darkness and into Your light. Please give me a ready heart that says, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me do?” and then does it without delay. Help me obey quickly, pray faithfully, and stay steady when things are hard or cold. Bless Robert for his kindness, bless Sister, and keep Mini safe and warm. Mary, wrap our home in your mantle tonight. Amen.
Love, Kathy.
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