Solidcore, Street Pianos, and the Good Shepherd
One of the most significant benefits of writing this weekly newsletter is that I’m constantly on the lookout for God’s movements in my daily life – partly because I want to be aware of His presence, and also because come Monday evening, I need something to write about!
So here are three places I saw God this week:
- God is always doing work in us – even when we don’t perceive it
Last summer, I attended my first Solidcore class. It’s a Pilates reformer studio (yes, the ones with the death machines and endless planks), and I died. In fact, I don’t think I made it more than 60 seconds before giving up and curling into a little ball on the carriage, praying for the class to end so I could slink out the door, defeated.
In fact, I disliked it so much that I told EVERYONE how much I didn’t like it. The truth was that I didn’t like it because I wasn’t good at it. I was embarrassed that I couldn’t hold the planks and hated the feeling of having to give up so quickly.
Three weeks ago, I returned to a Solidcore class out of curiosity. Unlike last summer, when my main form of exercise was running and I was sorely out of “Pilates shape”, I’ve spent the past few months taking barre and strength classes. This time, I was floored that I could hold the planks (okay, definitely not all of them, but more than before!) and actually completely loved the class. I’ve been back six times since then.
God used this to remind me of a few things. First, we are constantly growing and changing, and something that is “too hard” for us in one season could be just the challenge we need in another. Second, we often don’t perceive that we are getting stronger until we are put to the test, at which point we are astounded by how much God has done in us without us seemingly noticing. Third, being courageous and following a little push from the Holy Spirit can lead us to do (and enjoy) things we never thought possible.
- Pray those specific prayers!
I don’t think God loves anything more than surprising and delighting us in little, personal ways. Over the past few weeks, I’ve thought often about how fun it would be to have a little piano or keyboard in my apartment – but I have no space and just pushed the thought away. A few nights ago, I was walking home in a way I don’t usually walk and came across a little keyboard leaning up against a fence. When I say I was delighted, it’s an understatement.
I practically skipped home with my new little piano and I’m so excited about it! The former owner came outside as I was picking it up and told me how much he loved it. What a reminder that the Lord loves to give us little gifts and surprise us – and a reminder to keep praying even the littlest and “silliest” of prayers!
- The Good Shepherd
I ordered this icon of the Good Shepherd over a month ago and it finally arrived! When I say that I cannot pray with it without weeping… I mean it. Just take a look for yourself. You can order one too on Etsy, here’s the link!
God is teaching me to rely on Him and to rest in His arms, and every time I see this icon I feel my heart pulled back to His. It’s a good one.
So now I turn it back on you – where did you perceive God working in your life this week? How is He loving you? I like to pause at the end of each week to reflect on this question and I invite you to do the same! Sometimes it can feel like He’s not doing anything, and that we have to figure everything out on our own, but that is simply not true. God is always moving, always loving us. We just have to pray for the grace to see it!
In Christ,
Jane
What we’re loving lately:
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Muffin Mix
- My absolute favorite Trader Joe’s product is back in stock!! I literally hoard these every year… not ashamed to share that I have four boxes in my pantry. I make the gluten-free version, but I have it on good authority that the regular ones are great as well!
- Oof… Fr. Mike’s podcast from last weekend wrecked me. I’ve struggled with pride forever, but his call-out on envy specifically hit very close to home. After hearing this one I high-tailed it to confession. Give it a listen here!
Guardian Angels, pray for us!
- Monday’s feast day was for our Guardian Angels – did you know that every single one of us (baptized or not!) received a Guardian Angel on the day of our birth, and we’ll have one until the day we die? It’s incredible – I can’t begin to fathom how much my Guardian Angel has protected and guided me throughout my life. In the homily, the priest reminded us that our Guardian Angels cannot read our thoughts or hearts, so if you’re looking for their intercession, you just have to ask! What an incredible advocate we receive as a free gift from God, and what a reminder of our dignity. Our Guardian Angels, pray for us!
Weddings!!
- My beautiful friends Erin and George got married this weekend – please pray for them and their incredible new adventure!
Prayer Requests
- I’m going on retreat this weekend, please pray for me and send me your intentions!
If you or a loved one need prayers, just reply to this email or reach out and I’ll include them in next week’s newsletter!
More Like This
Are You Available to God?
One of my toxic traits is that I often overextend myself. Everything always just sounds so FUN! I have long been notorious for "stacking" events; i.e., a happy hour followed by a dinner followed by a birthday party, etc. The reality of living this way, however, became...
Episode 91| Are You Available to God?
Have you listened to our podcast yet? Find it on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts! A full directory can be found here. As we prepare to embark on the beauty and busyness of the holiday season, I wanted to pause to reflect on...
A Beautiful Innocence
A couple of weeks ago, two of my friends discovered that I had never read John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. To remedy that, one of them lent me her book and I dove in. I really enjoyed East of Eden and was excited for another journey through my beloved Northern...
Jane was born in Australia, raised in California, and is overjoyed to now call NYC home. She graduated from UCSB with degrees in Political Science and Communication and spent the past two years working in criminal justice reform. She is currently an MBA student at NYU Stern, focusing on entrepreneurship and strategy.