Let 2012 be a year filled with "holy days"
 that you can see!!

During the last week I have heard different conversation about people feeling a real let down because Christmas is over.  A feeling that the “Holiday Attitude,” leaves us as the ornaments are removed from the tree, the wrapping paper and ribbons are stored away for another year, and the anticipation and expectations are reviewed, and even evaluated , as we box up “Christmas.”

I feel fortunate to have my faith and church family remind me of what the true meaning of Christmas is, and, with this, I reflect on the importance of  living each day, not just the few weeks during holiday time, looking for reverence in my everyday, ordinary,  journey of life.

God’s love for each of us doesn’t take a holiday.  The gift of God’s love and caring doesn’t come with a limited warranty, or strict return policy.    He is always here for us, and we need to have an open mind and heart; ready to look for, and experience, ordinary things filled with the sacred. Filled with God’s love, which is like a friend,  who is always ready to greet us, invite us in, and embrace us giving comfort and a sense of belonging.

A couple of weeks ago I heard a lecture on writing fiction.  The author talked about the importance of creating a setting which serves to develop our characters in the story.  I thought about how we need to work on our setting in life.  I think we benefit in many ways when we choose to actively look for reverence in everyday experiences and opportunities to reflect on God’s presence.  These experiences serve to help us develop our character; anchoring us and assisting us to keep in touch with our spiritual side.

In Sarah Ban Breathnach’s book, “Simple Abundance,” she reminds us that gratitude is the gateway to experiencing more reverence in our daily lives and that the real life of joy we are meant to be living begins when we restore a sense of reverence to our daily affairs.

Looking for reverence in everyday life is something we must do for ourselves.  I don’t think we can be told to find reverence in something; it has to be experienced within, without someone else dictating what we should find special or meaningful.  I do think that just like becoming more aware of the value of gratitude, finding reverence in everyday occurrences can become more a part of our lives.  We can practice looking at our lives in a different way, through   different lenses, taking the time to reflect and feel God’s presence.

During Advent, I read, for the second year, a book written by Albert Holtz, a Benedictine monk, “From Holidays to Holy Days.”  This little book has been a valuable companion to me during the wonderful season of Advent.  Brother Albert states it beautifully...

“……..as you move through the journey of your life, may you  discover there  the faithful, loving God who keeps being born into
our world all the time,
and  whose unseen presence
turns every day into a holy day.” 

I wish you a Happy New Year filled with the wonderful challenge of looking for reverence in each ordinary day. May the days of this, as yet, pristine year be filled with God-given "holy days" that you can see.

Blessings,
Connie I. Clark