HOLLY HOCKS and ALTARS
From July 2004 -
Just as I had believed, God will take care of me.
My own position as a Pastoral Business Manager being restructured, I viewed it accordingly as a time to re-evaluate and think about other ways thats I could fulfill my baptismal call. The Lord was surely tapping me on the shoulder once again, pointing to another direction.
Called again to journey to a different place and leave my comfort zone, I am beckoned to seek out different job opportunities that have recently come my way.
“We'll pray on it” he advised and I agreed. Prayer is the only way to stay in communication with the Creator, and I thankful to live in a house were it is encouraged, and not just another chore to be tended to on Sunday.
I have been praying for wisdom. Wisdom to know what position will be right for me, and not be led purely by the monetary reward. Remaining realistic, but not to be motivated by greed. One is as rich as they allow themselves to be, if they trust in God.
The little country church by the lake that I now attend on Sundays, is a wonderful reminder of this sentiment.
Years ago, I used to argue with a Sister of St. Joseph about the decorating of the altar for Mass. Aware of my love of flowers and greenery, I would allow the parishioners to purchase expensive stems and arrangements for placement on the altar for Sunday and daily Mass.
We would always dicker back and forth, with “No! That's too much” and “Sister, we need to glorify God and beautify the Altar as our gift to the Lord! “
Always compromising, the display always looked a little less fancy than I would have liked, a little more than what she wanted.
The little country church by the lake never got into those discussions, I have found. New to the area, I don't speak much to people, rather, I want to experience them rather than them learning about me just yet.
I am always surprised by the eye opening lessons the Lord teaches me. In an area that boasts a combination of farmers, migrant workers, and houses valued at $500,000 and up, I viewed a wonderful treat this Sunday morning.
For there up on the altar, in two small glass vases on either side of the bible, stood Hollyhocks.
Plain and simple Hollyhocks, they stood proud and dignified upon the bedrock of my belief.
So much was said in the placement of those simple flowers, I wonder if the liturgy person who placed them realized the power they had. For God doesn't care how much you have, how you look or how smart you think you are.
What he looks for is your placement. What do you bring to the Altar, and what gifts of the spirit do you place upon it?
Pray for me as I discern what the next step should be. If I am disappointed in any way, I will know in my heart it was not meant for me to have.
For now, I will ponder the Hollyhocks on the Altar. A gift to the Lord, to me and to us all.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I am now a Deacon. God sure has a sense of humor.
My own position as a Pastoral Business Manager being restructured, I viewed it accordingly as a time to re-evaluate and think about other ways thats I could fulfill my baptismal call. The Lord was surely tapping me on the shoulder once again, pointing to another direction.
Called again to journey to a different place and leave my comfort zone, I am beckoned to seek out different job opportunities that have recently come my way.
“We'll pray on it” he advised and I agreed. Prayer is the only way to stay in communication with the Creator, and I thankful to live in a house were it is encouraged, and not just another chore to be tended to on Sunday.
I have been praying for wisdom. Wisdom to know what position will be right for me, and not be led purely by the monetary reward. Remaining realistic, but not to be motivated by greed. One is as rich as they allow themselves to be, if they trust in God.
The little country church by the lake that I now attend on Sundays, is a wonderful reminder of this sentiment.
Years ago, I used to argue with a Sister of St. Joseph about the decorating of the altar for Mass. Aware of my love of flowers and greenery, I would allow the parishioners to purchase expensive stems and arrangements for placement on the altar for Sunday and daily Mass.
We would always dicker back and forth, with “No! That's too much” and “Sister, we need to glorify God and beautify the Altar as our gift to the Lord! “
Always compromising, the display always looked a little less fancy than I would have liked, a little more than what she wanted.
The little country church by the lake never got into those discussions, I have found. New to the area, I don't speak much to people, rather, I want to experience them rather than them learning about me just yet.
I am always surprised by the eye opening lessons the Lord teaches me. In an area that boasts a combination of farmers, migrant workers, and houses valued at $500,000 and up, I viewed a wonderful treat this Sunday morning.
For there up on the altar, in two small glass vases on either side of the bible, stood Hollyhocks.
Plain and simple Hollyhocks, they stood proud and dignified upon the bedrock of my belief.
So much was said in the placement of those simple flowers, I wonder if the liturgy person who placed them realized the power they had. For God doesn't care how much you have, how you look or how smart you think you are.
What he looks for is your placement. What do you bring to the Altar, and what gifts of the spirit do you place upon it?
Pray for me as I discern what the next step should be. If I am disappointed in any way, I will know in my heart it was not meant for me to have.
For now, I will ponder the Hollyhocks on the Altar. A gift to the Lord, to me and to us all.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I am now a Deacon. God sure has a sense of humor.
