Holy Spirit of God, help me reach beyond worldly trappings, to live into your will...

 
1 John 2: 12–17

 
As a new year unfolds, we can be sure that it will be full of mercy-full blessings from God, plus just the right number of challenges to keep us humble and to lead us, if we will, into God’s merciful will. But how to live into “God’s will” in the day to day grind? A translator working with our NFP Inuit women’s sewing project needs a new device to allow her to connect to the internet. Out of necessity, and with some discomfort, I enter a Bell tech store, praying to reach beyond worldly trappings, to live into God’s will. With soul open to the Holy Spirit, I mindfully drive to the “Market Place” address. I realize I am being called to be an instrument of God’s Mercy, no matter where I am or who is near me. With open heart, I notice Jesus’ presence in the store, and mostly in the salesman, and the customer couple there with him. I deliberately keep my eyes away from the ‘eye-candy’ on the counters around me – devices of all kinds designed to consume me as consumer, and instead begin to pray with Jesus for each of the other three individuals in the room. The older couple is uncertain and upset, and they take 20 minutes to make a choice. I make a point of detaching from my rising frustration and bring compassion into my heart to replace it. Finally it is my turn, and I am able to smile at the couple and warmly wish them a Happy New Year. The tension – is it darkness? – eases around them. I catch the eye of the salesperson with an understanding nod and a smile of recognition, comment on his kindness and patience and clearly state my business. Our transaction is completed easily, questions posed and answered with kindness and liveliness, and we end our conversation with a casual blessing – ‘Have a good year!’ As I leave the store I can almost see Jesus smiling with me, and flakes of mercy sloughing off my being and settling into the souls and streets in my wake. Ah... It is so good to attach to God’s will beyond the things of this world. Holy Spirit of God, help me reach beyond worldly trappings, to live into your will...
                                              
The trap is broken and we are free! Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:7)
 
Prayer and praising, all men (and women) raising... ‘Alleluia!’ earth to the heavens replies.
J. H. Hopkins, We Three Kings, v. 3
 
A Blessed, Happy and Joyful New Year, the 2021st Year of Grace,
to you and your family!
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei