Marquette Magazine shares a “reminder to notice” by Garrett Gundlach, SJ.
I don’t think we ever need permission to share with each other or to care about one another, but sometimes it’s given anyway. I’m embarrassed at how often I just keep the roll call rolling, how often I keep the clipboard close and stick to the schedule because, let’s face it, there’s always more to do. And then some. And the bigger the workload, the bolder the interruption needs to be to break free, to shelve business-as-usual for something different.
The context for Gundlach was teaching, but the call to notice what’s happening around us and take time to respond—even when it changes our well-planned agenda—is universal. What interruptions can become invitations for you today?
It’s the interruptions in our day that are the real work. Sometimes, it takes a lot of patience and surrender to deal with them and, in doing so, we learn important lessons.
Oh, Sandra, I too cared for my sick and frail husband – my heart goes out to you. After many long hours spent at his bedside in intensive care, I would emerge not even knowing if it was day or night, and I understand being emotionally wiped out. The love of our Lord and Blessed Mother will keep you strong. Know that I will keep you in my prayers.
Just reading the words from Phillipians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ”
Lately I have been challenged on this very thought, thank you for the reflection.
Just when your too busy to slow down that is when you should: this was my motto when I had sux young children. When they were sleeping I rested. Now I am caring for my 84 year old husband who is increasingly more frail. The isolation and demands of his care can be emotionally exhausting. I take my failures to reconciliation and with acknowledgment of my needs and seeing the suffering Christ in his eyes I can live with a soft heart again.
God bless you…..you are responding to the Lord’s work in you. It truly is the good fight as spoken by St Paul. Ask for a respite when needed to just rest!!!