Today is one of those days you wake up with a smile on your face and it takes you a moment to realize why it's there. And even after you remember that you are beloved, it still doesn't quite explain how extraordinarily happy and peaceful you feel. That's why you have to get up: God has more joyful moments in store.
As I started my day, which was supposed to be entirely dedicated to finishing my grad school applications after much delay and procrastination, I remembered an errand I had to run in Olympia. So I took a little break, checked out my favorite red car, and realized how gloriously sunny and beautiful the day was. I went to a little used bookstore (which has its own orange cat walking around!), but they didn't have the book I needed for S. Redempta, so I was a little frustrated. But as I drove back to Lacey, to the post office, I turned a corner and saw Mount Rainier sparkling against the blue sky. Yes, the BLUE, totally unclouded sky! It took my breath away. I had not expected to see the mountain just then, so huge and majestic - it was worth making a fruitless trip to the bookstore and taking the scenic route (unintentionally) to the post office!
I was becoming less optimistic about finishing my huge project today as I started the afternoon - so many hoops to jump through, so many little details to track and remember and get exactly right. It was getting to be too much, even for checklist-lover Megan. But somehow, I found that I had already written everything I needed to, and all I had to do was click a few buttons, sign away my life and my entire savings account, and I was done! I think only my poor family can understand how joyful of a moment this was after suffering through my list-making and research-doing all summer. It was much later than I planned to be done, but it was beautiful and wonderful and I feel so free!
The title of my post reflects both my sighting of Mount Rainier and my lesson for today. After settling back into life at the Priory, I have realized how extraordinarily blessed I am to have time to see - and really look at - the beautiful things in life. I can take a walk (or three) through the fall leaves when the sun is shining. I can snuggle in my chair with a blanket and a cup of tea when it rains all afternoon. I can sit in chapel for a few minutes after praise and just think. I can do all these things without worrying that I'm not finishing my homework, I'm not getting my work done, I haven't read enough pages, I have to make dinner, all the worries and craziness that come with college life. I can breathe here. I can think. I can soak in each moment and savor it. Most importantly, I can love. I can watch S. Mary, S. Damaris, and S. Monika make beautiful things and love their service to the community. I can listen to S. Sharon's wisdom and enthusiasm and love her concern for each member of the community. I can work with S. Anamaria and S. Redempta and love how hard they work and how much education means to them. I can acknowledge each sister's contribution to our life here and appreciate what they do. I can talk to the people most important to me at home and love their support and willingness to be there for me even though I'm so far away. I can take the time to be intentional about seeing God in everyone and everything. It's not just scenic. It's breath-taking.
Peace and love!
No comments:
Post a Comment