And then...everything made sense. I understood what I needed to do to be effective in my teaching. Something clicked, by the grace of God. For the first time in a long time, I enjoyed teaching a class. I realize that the method that I had been using before had been usurping my abilities as a teacher, and that I teach better by another way. Yes there is a way that we are supposed to teach department wide, but it also requires adaptation to each individual instructor.
Most likely I am having a very good day, that will later come crashing down on me, but for the time being I am enjoying myself and look forward to a trip to the airport this afternoon. I sometimes forget how much I am impacted by the energy of those around me, and despite the fact that part of the class was boring today, I feel that the students actually grasped what in the world we were doing, for we have embarked on one of the more difficult topics - the subjunctive of the Spanish language.
Despite the fact that there are days in which I wish I had never come here, I realize that I am learning so many good things and gaining so much positive experience that will serve me well in the future, or I should say rather, will serve the path on which I am going. Thank you Lord for such a glorious day! I do not doubt that you have granted it in response to my continual prayers, and I call on you all to talk to our Lord, communicate with Him, speak to Him about your life, but more importantly listen, and He will lead you in His ways, which we cannot always understand, but will ultimately lead us to the most fulfilling lives we could possibly have on the face of this earth.
I am so inspired to write again, and I do not doubt that it is because I have made the Lord a priority once again in my life. God is great, all the time, and we all need to remember this always, for in giving him the appropriate praise and thanksgiving, He will return to us a million-fold. Have faith, the Lord is with you.
23 November 2009
22 November 2009
Retreat
Retreat literally means to get away, to seclude ourselves, and in our sense of the term here, it means to do so with a group of people, centering ourselves around a deeper understanding of the Truth that flows from God. And this is what we did this past weekend, making prayer, or communication with our Lord, the focus of our efforts. The introduction to and practice of new prayer forms did much for my understanding of what prayer is, but more importantly I learned the significance of and need for emphasis that we need to put on prayer in our lives. Everything we do, consider, discuss, should stem from our prayer lives. As true Christians and followers of God, nothing should stem from our own self-controlling will, but rather work in cooperation with what God is showing us in our lives; ever informed by our lives of prayer.
I cannot stress how important prayer is to all of our decisions and to our ultimate discovery of happiness, or our falling into despair. It is amazing how the practices that do not necessarily work against God, but do nothing positive for our bodies and persons lead us steadily away from what it means to be a true follower of Christ. Nothing should ever stand between us and our seeking this relationship. It should not matter where we are or what we have to accomplish, this always has to take priority, and I think that letting go of our ideas of controlling our lives is an important step in this process. If not we are likely to take the position that we here in the States so often do: "I don't have time!" Make time! For if we do not make time for God, neither are we making time for ourselves. For only God can know what will fulfill us in this life, even as much as we think we ourselves know how it should be. We do not!
This does not mean that we sit down on the ground and say, "God tell me what to do with my life!" No, rather it means that we develop our prayer lives and hence our relationship to Him, we set aside time by going to Mass or church service and grow our knowledge and understanding of him through discussion, Bible study, and catechism. Then we live our lives, following our hearts and our informed consciences, and the eternal spirit that lives within us will guide us in the ways of God, because our person has been filled up and informed on God, and the eternal spirit that lives within us can work in harmony with the body, heart, and mind that make up the rest of our personhood.
God is great, and gives us so many good things and so many clear signs. It is certainly high time that I accept what He has called me to in my own life, surrendering my will to His, in the knowledge that He knows the desires of my heart, and that my heart, my mind, my entire person, will not rest until it rests in Him.
I pray that you would all open your lives to the Word of God, and the words God has to share with you in prayer. Be always willing to serve Him, no matter what He calls you to. For we cannot know where to find joy, other than in Him, and if we take joy in seeking to follow Him, it will not matter what we do, for we will have Him always to sustain us and bring fulfillment to our lives!
I cannot stress how important prayer is to all of our decisions and to our ultimate discovery of happiness, or our falling into despair. It is amazing how the practices that do not necessarily work against God, but do nothing positive for our bodies and persons lead us steadily away from what it means to be a true follower of Christ. Nothing should ever stand between us and our seeking this relationship. It should not matter where we are or what we have to accomplish, this always has to take priority, and I think that letting go of our ideas of controlling our lives is an important step in this process. If not we are likely to take the position that we here in the States so often do: "I don't have time!" Make time! For if we do not make time for God, neither are we making time for ourselves. For only God can know what will fulfill us in this life, even as much as we think we ourselves know how it should be. We do not!
This does not mean that we sit down on the ground and say, "God tell me what to do with my life!" No, rather it means that we develop our prayer lives and hence our relationship to Him, we set aside time by going to Mass or church service and grow our knowledge and understanding of him through discussion, Bible study, and catechism. Then we live our lives, following our hearts and our informed consciences, and the eternal spirit that lives within us will guide us in the ways of God, because our person has been filled up and informed on God, and the eternal spirit that lives within us can work in harmony with the body, heart, and mind that make up the rest of our personhood.
God is great, and gives us so many good things and so many clear signs. It is certainly high time that I accept what He has called me to in my own life, surrendering my will to His, in the knowledge that He knows the desires of my heart, and that my heart, my mind, my entire person, will not rest until it rests in Him.
I pray that you would all open your lives to the Word of God, and the words God has to share with you in prayer. Be always willing to serve Him, no matter what He calls you to. For we cannot know where to find joy, other than in Him, and if we take joy in seeking to follow Him, it will not matter what we do, for we will have Him always to sustain us and bring fulfillment to our lives!
20 November 2009
Finding the way...
It's been a while since I have offered a reflection or an insight into my life on this forum, or I guess I should say on this online journal. There has not been time, nor inspiration lately. Yet I must admit that I have not been completely faithful to the things in my life that are of the greatest importance, and for that I am deeply sorry. Put the Lord first and the rest will fall into place. So I have learned over this past week.
There are always frustrations in grad school, but I have felt especially frustrated, especially "lost" in translation; however I have learned again, as our Lord has always so subtly and yet clearly reminded me, of the importance of prayer. Prayer has a centering effect, the action draws you to engage the Lord in relationship, to share with Him the deepest thoughts that have entered your mind, and upon leaving to realize that everything you do is for Him. This takes the pressure off, for the Lord wants us to do our best, but we know that He will love us regardless of the outcome. Should we find success, we know that He will be right there with us, joyful in our joy. Should we fall, he will be right there beside us, consoling and inspiring to get back up and try again.
It is easy to let things get out of perspective in this hectic life. Sometimes I wish I had more of an imposition of the contemplative life, but without our own decision-making, one does not just end up with a deep, contemplative life. It is practice and surrender, opening one's heart and mind to the Lord and not being afraid of what will come. Fear as I have reflected on many times is the paralysis of the human person; Pope John Paul II repeated the words of Jesus over and over to the world, "Be not afraid". Be not afraid because you can, be not afraid because you cannot, be not afraid because you will, be not afraid because you will not.
I have always loved the quote, "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength". And it is so true. I can endure translation. I can speak to the world, to students, parishioners, and Catholics alike, about prayer, life, hope, patience, love, and peace. For through the Lord's help I have come to experience them in my own life, and now I am charged with the privilege of sharing this with others. All who hear and heed the call of God are called to this mission. Let us go, without fear, and do God's work, in this world who so desperately needs what He has to give to those who come to Him.
There are always frustrations in grad school, but I have felt especially frustrated, especially "lost" in translation; however I have learned again, as our Lord has always so subtly and yet clearly reminded me, of the importance of prayer. Prayer has a centering effect, the action draws you to engage the Lord in relationship, to share with Him the deepest thoughts that have entered your mind, and upon leaving to realize that everything you do is for Him. This takes the pressure off, for the Lord wants us to do our best, but we know that He will love us regardless of the outcome. Should we find success, we know that He will be right there with us, joyful in our joy. Should we fall, he will be right there beside us, consoling and inspiring to get back up and try again.
It is easy to let things get out of perspective in this hectic life. Sometimes I wish I had more of an imposition of the contemplative life, but without our own decision-making, one does not just end up with a deep, contemplative life. It is practice and surrender, opening one's heart and mind to the Lord and not being afraid of what will come. Fear as I have reflected on many times is the paralysis of the human person; Pope John Paul II repeated the words of Jesus over and over to the world, "Be not afraid". Be not afraid because you can, be not afraid because you cannot, be not afraid because you will, be not afraid because you will not.
I have always loved the quote, "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength". And it is so true. I can endure translation. I can speak to the world, to students, parishioners, and Catholics alike, about prayer, life, hope, patience, love, and peace. For through the Lord's help I have come to experience them in my own life, and now I am charged with the privilege of sharing this with others. All who hear and heed the call of God are called to this mission. Let us go, without fear, and do God's work, in this world who so desperately needs what He has to give to those who come to Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)