Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
* * * * * * *
There is a folk tale about a little boy who found himself with nothing to offer to the Madonna and the Christ Child in a Christmas pageant. He decided to offer what he had, or rather a gift that he had to give. He could juggle brightly color balls and one golden one he called "the sun in the heavens." So he juggled. I recall making a trip to visit my writing professor a couple years after I graduated college. I had chosen not to be a writer but was being tugged to serve the Church. I confessed to her that I felt like I was abandoning the writing profession and felt conflicted. Beulah was so kind to me and wise. She assured me in a knowing way that the God who gave me gifts to use would not expect me to set them aside. I look at times at others who serve the Church and I covet the gifts they bring. I confess there are many days when I feel a certain poverty of gifts, an inadequacy to the task. So I look to what I have, to what is rolling about in my heart and mind and I juggle. May you discover what you have been given and offer it with joy.
* * * * * *
May all your beloved ones, Lord, discover their place in your story. Amen.