Sabbath and the Seasons
The gift of altered plans
Due to a wild “snow event” this weekend, the city of DC went into what could only be described as an “involuntary sabbath.” Walking outside on Sunday morning was surreal — the streets were empty, save for a few kids dragging sleds and tubes down the street to our local park with a perfect sledding hill. There were no cars or bikes out. Most of the stores and restaurants were closed. Whether people wanted to or not, it seemed like the entire city was saying to us, “Stay inside. Rest.”
I, like many others, had other plans for this past weekend. I had long been looking forward to a retreat on St. Therese, as well as a dinner with a friend from out of town. Last week, as the days ticked on, it became clear that those events (along with many others) were simply not going to happen. I was pretty bummed, but when I shared how my weekend had fallen apart with my mom, her response to me was “I can’t wait to see what God wants to do with this weekend!” And she was right! The cancelations were news to me, but God knew they were coming all along. Could I allow Him to work in the newly wide-open spaces of my weekend?
The swift change in plans meant that I was able to spend some unexpected quiet time wandering my beautiful city, which led to a few realizations of unexpected gifts. The first was a meditation: just six months ago, I was walking these sidewalks in a swimsuit and shorts, heading to the pool or the park to read in the sun. Now those same streets were piled with snow! Since moving to the East Coast, I’ve been captivated by the seasons — how physical and tangible they are, and how much they draw my heart to the spiritual seasons. Everything changes. As I walked, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for all that has unfolded in the past six months: the people I’ve met who have had such a beautiful impact on my life, the places I’ve been able to go, and the work I’ve been able to do. And even as my little fingers were freezing off, the snow carried a hopeful reminder — it won’t be long before I’m sweating my way back to the pool again! Who knows what God will do in the space between now and then.
The second gift of the changed plans was a mini retreat - Since our retreat plans were dashed, my friend Marissa and I decided to do a little “mini retreat” instead. After breakfast at Union Market, we bopped up to the Basilica to enjoy mass and some quiet time in prayer. We read part of Story of a Soul and chatted about our reflections on St. Therese and her relationship with the Lord. It was beautiful to have that time, and even though it wasn’t a full weekend, I feel like the Lord was able to do a lot in those few hours that we gave Him on Saturday morning.
The third was that on Saturday night, I was able to enjoy a beautiful dinner with friends, and we wondered together at what the next day would hold!! And it was a joy to wake up on Sunday morning to mountains of snow on my street. The Archbishop gave us a dispensation for Mass, and the sidewalks were perilously piled with snow, so the only people who were at Mass at 11 a.m. on Sunday were the people who lived within a few blocks of the church. Our priests were out front, shoveling the stairs in a blizzard for their flock. I can’t tell you how cozy and romantic it was to walk up the steps of the cathedral, to be warm after being so cold in the snow!!
And a fourth (unexpected!!) gift was that my flight last night was delayed 4.5 hours, so I spent a lot of time in DCA. As I was (finally) walking to my gate, I met a group of gorgeous girls from Florida and a Servidora sister who had been in town this weekend, and were also quite delayed. We had the most joyful, fun conversation and it was exactly what I needed after a few frustrating hours in the airport.
I don’t love having my plans altered or changed or canceled — but whenever it happens, it reminds me that I am not in control, which is a very good thing. God’s ideas area always better than my own! He knew that I needed a little “forced sabbath” — and while I’m not claiming that’s why He allowed all the snow, I do think that many of us need a little rest and wonder. Yesterday morning, we served a very small group of guests at our weekly free breakfast, and each of them remarked to me “It’s so beautiful outside!” A good good reminder to wonder.
If you experienced the snow this weekend, I hope that you are all warm and everything is safe, and that you, too, were able to enjoy a break from your normal busy life! What a good reminder that we are invited (commanded!!) to rest, and that Sundays like this could be the norm if we allowed the Lord to truly shape and own our Sabbaths. That’s most definitely a good resolution for the new year, and one I need to fight to live!!
In Christ,
Jane
What I’m loving lately
It’s Saie Season
When it’s cold and sad, and my skin is pale, nothing makes me feel happier or warmer than my beloved Saie super glowy gel!! It’s my favorite product to mix into my foundation or moisturizer for a true warm glow. I go all the way to the warmest “Sunglow” shade to really get a nice pick-me-up.
Hold the Father’s hand!
Three times this week, I heard encouragement to “hold fast to God’s hand,” and so I think it was something He clearly wanted me to hear — and maybe you, too!
First, a quote from St. Francis de Sales: “Imitate a little child, whom one sees holding tight with one hand to its father, while with the other it gathers strawberries or blackberries from the wayside hedge. Even so, while you gather and use this world’s goods with one hand, always let the other be fast in your Heavenly Father’s Hand, and look round from time to time to make sure that He is satisfied with what you are doing, at home or abroad.”
Second, in Sunday’s Jesus Calling: “Hold My hand in childlike trust, and the way before you will open up step by step.”
Third, in one of my favorite books, “Into Your Hands, Father”:
C.S. Lewis’ wisdom
Aim at Heaven and you will get earth “thrown in”: aim at earth and you will get neither.
Murder on the Orient Express
I loved it. That’s all! A perfect little quick read mystery. Next up: Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey.
God’s first favorite
Spending time with St. Therese this weekend reminded me that she was the original “God’s favorite.” Her boldness in prayer and trust in the Lord led to incredible gifts in her life and the lives of those around her. I so recommend Story of a Soul if you need a little reminder of how much God loves you and wants to delight you!! I asked her for roses this week, and barely four hours later, I received my favorite (white roses!!) from a friend to celebrate a recent milestone — so Therese is always listening!!
Achiness and messiness
I do not spend much time on the interwebs because I get very easily overwhelmed by dark and violent news, but it’s been a hard and heavy week. I’m grateful for Claire and for many others who talk and write about the dignity of life and the importance of standing up for truth and goodness. I also loved this reflection: “Catholics don’t get to sit this one out.” Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Pray for us.
Prayer intentions
For those outside in the inclement weather