Life can easily spin us out of control, family work life, colleagues, friends, pastimes clutter up our lives and leave us little time to think, to take stock of our lives, to take time out to listen to our hearts and God.
On many social media sites, in magazines even on T.V. we read or see a huge trend for decluttering. We are told to declutter our homes, our wardrobes, our emails our online apps, anything to make our lives simple and less stressed.
Lent is a wonderful time to take the opportunity to focus and become aware of what is important in our lives. It is a time to ground ourselves in what is good and true.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
What is weighing you down, keeping you trapped and stopping you from leading a fulfilling life?
Have you left God out of your everyday life?
Are you trying to do too much?
Are you taking care of your outer and inner spiritual life?
Are you trying to please too many people?
Have you time to include God in your life, have a conversation with him and see him as your friend? It could be that you are listening to too many voices and allowing all the negativity that is present in our lives and in the world at the present time erode the genuine goodness that is in your heart and in God’s creation. Do not get robbed of your inner life and freedom.
Take “Time Out” this Lent, awaken your childlike trust in God, take the hand he offers you. God is always waiting for us. We only have to reach out and reconnect. As Pope Francis has said; “God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy. Lent is the perfect opportunity to do this.
Edel Mulligan, Holy Family Lay Member