The Simple Life

Many times over the past year, I've expressed the limitations of time and conflicts that come with being a Catholic blogger in our war with the Romans for the souls of our children. 

It wouldn't be so bad if they weren't firing ammunition every day and twice on Sundays. But they are, and it often feels, at least to me, like there's no time to write about the practice of Catholicism where our feet hit the ground. 

It bothers me there's no time to talk about how to increase our spiritual awareness and ministry in every encounter, our challenges and victories, sharing the guidance of angels and saints, the unbelievable miracles and gifts in the Sacramental life. 

I'm as committed as ever to the victims of trashy catechesis, but at this point, I have to carve out more time to blog about the simple and glorious fiat of Catholicism.   

I want to write more about evangelism and the experiences of bringing Christ's presence to this confused and wounded world.  How to step up our game.   I have the tendency to overcommit and then let the business of life distract me from being spiritually present in every encounter. The paradigm shift of putting encounters front and center and chores and plans in the background takes effort.

Trying to rush through the grocery store yesterday, I noticed the only cashier that didn't have 20 people in it was a gentleman with learning disabilities. He does a great job, but it takes him a little longer and he sometimes says things that are out of context. I finished putting my groceries onto checkout and while pulling out my phone to check social media to kill the boredom of waiting, I had the misfortune of witnessing the customer in front of me being extremely rude to him. She locked eyes with me and attempted to rope me into approving her behavior, but rather than the nudge and wink she expected for her performance, I gave him a compassionate smile and her my best stinkeye.

After she departed in her snit, I went back to reading messages on my phone and he started scanning my groceries. Engrossed in my own life, I didn't notice how shaken up he was until I saw him out of the corner of my eye frantically and awkwardly turning with his arms full of my groceries.

This isn't easy to admit, but engrossed in reading and answering messages, it actually took several seconds of watching him to dawn on me I needed to put the phone down and bail out his boat.

I was able to figure out that he was out of bags and didn't know what to do, so he stood holding groceries when space ran out on the counter. I told him not to worry, grabbed some bags from the cashier beside me and started to bag my groceries. That was enough to get him back on track. He opened up his troubled heart and apologized to me for being slow. He said he felt terrible he can't keep up with others, was aware that people are in a hurry.

I did my best to mend his broken heart, refresh his confidence and encourage him, but it was another wake up call for how easily I let distractions keep me from tuning into the people around me, especially while traveling to plans and destinations.  It reminded me of the old saying that life is what happens while we are trying to carry out our plans.

My failures were on my mind as I spent a long, magnificent, fun and joyful day with my grandchildren. The keen instincts of children to tune into our heart stood out more than usual. A long day without naps, my grandson copped an attitude. I told him not to talk to me that way and reminded him about all the fun things we did that day. My granddaughter, thinking my feelings may have been hurt, blurted out that she loved me!  When a two-year-old outshines you, it's time to kick it up a few notches.

It's a blessing to be able to keep constant conversations going with friends and family, and social media can be a magnificent tool in our service to Christ, but it bares watching.    And sometimes changing.

I think twitter is going to be a huge political tool, especially in the next POTUS election. I've just joined twitter, and with the blog and facebook, I have to figure out the right rhythm to serve God and His people to the best of my abilities. It felt like the right time to bite the bullet and make some changes with content of the blog.

Frank Walker at Canon212 does a great job aggregating all the problems, supporting Catholics trying to right wrongs who help victims of spiritual abusers. Not enough people in that vineyard, so I'll be supporting too, but spending more blog time writing about the simple life where faith gets put into practice.

Grant me grace, O merciful God, 

to desire ardently all that is pleasing to Thee, 

to examine it prudently, 

to acknowledge it truthfully, 

and to accomplish it perfectly, 

for the praise and glory of Thy Name.

Amen.