August 6, 2011 A.D.
today is the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus. and as i pondered the every growing facets of beauty contained in this Feast, my heart rested on what our wonderful St. Peter said to Jesus as He was present for this dazzling moment: “it is good that we are here” (Matthew 17:4). Amen to that, Peter. i was nestled in the comfort of a pew at St. James Catholic Church (conveniently located a mile from my new home) between my older sister, my dad, and my brother; and it was good for us to be there. and i felt the same way about being here. in this new place where i propose to make a new life. and we started it out so perfectly. kneeling before the One Who makes every moment exist. the One Who makes all things Good and Beautiful. and He came to us, perfectly humble, and allowed us to receive Him. and we were transfigured, too.
and then i thought about what God said on the top of mount Tabor. “this is my Beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased; listen to Him” (Matthew 17:5). of all the things God could have said, the last words He spoke wonderfully echoed the words of the Blessed Mother during the Wedding at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). so, i’m thinking, there must be something important here God is trying to tell us. what i love most about this message is it’s simplicity. yet, somehow, i find a way to complicate it. just call me human i guess.
my favorite realization of the day came when i realized what Jesus tells them to do right after God tells them to listen to Him: “Rise, and do not be afraid” (Matthew 17:7). His Beloved Son tells us not to fear. He is here. He will take care of us. and that is all i need to know to take this leap into the unknown (and freezing) waters of a new life.
then, it was after mass. and i found out my car is pretty much probably worthless. what was that “be not afraid” thing again? oh, hold on, i’m too busy being afraid about the possible car expenses in my future to listen to anything else right now. sorry, God. you’ll have to catch me later when my life is perfect. thanks anyway. yeah, i think that about sums up my stellar attitude.
and we went to target, and i went in with a bonnie blue volkswagen beetle sized chip on my shoulder and a craving for iced coffee. and having my patented beer pockets, i proceeded to ask if anyone had a starbucks gift card handy (because we are in america and YES there is a starbucks inside of target jic-just in case-things get a little dicey during your shopping and you NEED to have your trenta orange mocha frappuchino so that life can go on). my dad then turned to me, ignored my protests, handed me the cash and said “go get one, it will make you feel better”. and as much as i was aching to deny that this was not true, that i am a strong, anti-establishment woman who “don’t need no man to buy her no starbucks to make her feel better”, i couldn’t. because i did want it and it did make me feel better. with my grande iced mocha light i could take the world, or this target, on blindfolded. and let me just say, starbucks straws rule. they’re green, with the perfect balance of strength and bendability. everything you want in a straw, really. and i am thankful for a dad who will not judge his daughter for still needing a sippy cup of sorts to make it through an extended target trip after some harrowing car news. thank you, daddy.
and then the treat of treats came in the form of a whole room just for me to decorate. i felt like an artist staring at her blank canvas just waiting for the genius to spill out. and i took up my paint (photographs) and my brush (nail and hammer), and a glass of red wine for fluid inspiration, and i had myself a grand old time. and i thanked the Lord for these little things that i enjoy so much. i feel like i am nesting-or at least this is what i imagine nesting must feel like for mommas-and i LOVE that nesting feeling. and already i continue to look at the unfinished canvas and dream of future art projects that will one day grace my wall if i ever hit it rich or have the time or both.
whatever happens, the gift of imagination is wonderful, and i’ll keep using mine to concoct future masterpieces while embracing the simple and beautiful reality that is my cozy little room.
remember, in the immortal words of cheryl crow, “it’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got (i wanna soak up the sun...)”.
and i’ll remember, by the grace of God, to listen to Him and be not afraid. He goes before us always.
happy feast of the Transfiguration. pax vobiscum.
today is the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus. and as i pondered the every growing facets of beauty contained in this Feast, my heart rested on what our wonderful St. Peter said to Jesus as He was present for this dazzling moment: “it is good that we are here” (Matthew 17:4). Amen to that, Peter. i was nestled in the comfort of a pew at St. James Catholic Church (conveniently located a mile from my new home) between my older sister, my dad, and my brother; and it was good for us to be there. and i felt the same way about being here. in this new place where i propose to make a new life. and we started it out so perfectly. kneeling before the One Who makes every moment exist. the One Who makes all things Good and Beautiful. and He came to us, perfectly humble, and allowed us to receive Him. and we were transfigured, too.
and then i thought about what God said on the top of mount Tabor. “this is my Beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased; listen to Him” (Matthew 17:5). of all the things God could have said, the last words He spoke wonderfully echoed the words of the Blessed Mother during the Wedding at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). so, i’m thinking, there must be something important here God is trying to tell us. what i love most about this message is it’s simplicity. yet, somehow, i find a way to complicate it. just call me human i guess.
my favorite realization of the day came when i realized what Jesus tells them to do right after God tells them to listen to Him: “Rise, and do not be afraid” (Matthew 17:7). His Beloved Son tells us not to fear. He is here. He will take care of us. and that is all i need to know to take this leap into the unknown (and freezing) waters of a new life.
then, it was after mass. and i found out my car is pretty much probably worthless. what was that “be not afraid” thing again? oh, hold on, i’m too busy being afraid about the possible car expenses in my future to listen to anything else right now. sorry, God. you’ll have to catch me later when my life is perfect. thanks anyway. yeah, i think that about sums up my stellar attitude.
and we went to target, and i went in with a bonnie blue volkswagen beetle sized chip on my shoulder and a craving for iced coffee. and having my patented beer pockets, i proceeded to ask if anyone had a starbucks gift card handy (because we are in america and YES there is a starbucks inside of target jic-just in case-things get a little dicey during your shopping and you NEED to have your trenta orange mocha frappuchino so that life can go on). my dad then turned to me, ignored my protests, handed me the cash and said “go get one, it will make you feel better”. and as much as i was aching to deny that this was not true, that i am a strong, anti-establishment woman who “don’t need no man to buy her no starbucks to make her feel better”, i couldn’t. because i did want it and it did make me feel better. with my grande iced mocha light i could take the world, or this target, on blindfolded. and let me just say, starbucks straws rule. they’re green, with the perfect balance of strength and bendability. everything you want in a straw, really. and i am thankful for a dad who will not judge his daughter for still needing a sippy cup of sorts to make it through an extended target trip after some harrowing car news. thank you, daddy.
and then the treat of treats came in the form of a whole room just for me to decorate. i felt like an artist staring at her blank canvas just waiting for the genius to spill out. and i took up my paint (photographs) and my brush (nail and hammer), and a glass of red wine for fluid inspiration, and i had myself a grand old time. and i thanked the Lord for these little things that i enjoy so much. i feel like i am nesting-or at least this is what i imagine nesting must feel like for mommas-and i LOVE that nesting feeling. and already i continue to look at the unfinished canvas and dream of future art projects that will one day grace my wall if i ever hit it rich or have the time or both.
whatever happens, the gift of imagination is wonderful, and i’ll keep using mine to concoct future masterpieces while embracing the simple and beautiful reality that is my cozy little room.
remember, in the immortal words of cheryl crow, “it’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got (i wanna soak up the sun...)”.
and i’ll remember, by the grace of God, to listen to Him and be not afraid. He goes before us always.
happy feast of the Transfiguration. pax vobiscum.
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