Holding on to the Good
Summer is here! There is a buzz of excitement when summer vacation arrives for the kids (and teachers!). Everyone in our family looks forward to summer. It means playing outside, longer days, no packing lunches, and an inherently wonderful flexibility of time.
The first week or two of summer take a bit of adjusting. In the flip of a calendar date, our family goes from the scheduled days and nights of school and activities, homework, and packing lunches to something much less intense. When this happens, an adjustment period takes place for us to regroup and settle into our new summer duds. Summer eventually looks really good on all of us! (It surely has something to do with the sun-kissed cheeks and arms.)
This year I found that sliding into summer mode was more difficult for me since it was coupled with moving our family to Bloomington. Since I’ve learned (and had to re-learn) that I can’t fix things on my own, I began to talk to God about my bumpy path.
I told Him there was a lot going on. (He knew that.) I told Him I’m missing the routine, the rhythm of life that I had. I realized how much a creature of habit and routine I am when that habit and routine are pulled away. And don’t even get me started on the people. Ah, the people! They were what gave life to my habit and routine!
As I reflected on this in prayer, I saw how our lives are filled with “readjusting.” With nearly any change in life, there is the readjusting period. I’ve heard it said that it is not the change in life that is most difficult; it is the transition that is hardest. Maybe you’ve moved like me. Maybe a friend moves away. You lose a loved one. Your child goes off to college. You get married. You start a new job. You enter retirement. How do you adjust to those transitions in life?
I’ve been reflecting on my path of “readjusting” after we moved and now that summer has started. It has brought me to the realization that holding on to what is good is necessary for me to adjust. Here’s what I’m holding on to:
Mass – This is a no-brainer. I must hold on to receiving Jesus in the Eucharist so that He can be as close as possible to me.
Prayer – I went back through a prayer journal I had, and I saw that I wrote, “Prayer is God’s way of teaching me about my deepest needs and desires.” I don’t think I came up with that, but I don’t know to whom the credit is due. It is wise!
Relationships – Well, these can’t be held on to in the same way as before, but I know that God places people around us for a reason, so I will trust in who He will place before me in this new chapter.
Routine – Not all of us are “schedule” people or “routine” people, but wowzers, this sure has helped me adjust! I needed to hold on to a rhythm of goodness in life. I recommend it! Hold on to the good things and stay with them. Weekly or monthly lunch with a friend, daily walk to the park with kids, Adoration every Wednesday, bike ride on Sunday after Mass, phone calls, and letters to loved ones are just a few ways to hold on to good things routinely.
Trust – Trusting in God’s plan is huge. Not just for part of the day. Not just when things are going well. Every moment of every day.
I write these words not because I have it figured out, but because I need these words as a perpetual reminder. By putting words to paper, it can help me to be more intentional with my actions. Holding on to the good is helping me with transition in life. What are you holding on to, friend?
