Outside My Window - all vestiges of a White Christmas are puddled and messy as the temps have risen since our county went into Level 1 snow emergency on Christmas Eve. But what a beautiful eve it was despite the somewhat perilous trek to Midnight Mass. All I have are memories on my camera and in my heart and mind.
I'm Listening To - a teen-ager's phone playing American Pie. Our musical taste have heavily influenced our kid's playlists. Every so often I get updated on what's hip by exchanging lists with them, keeps me young and unnecessarily hip for my age. I must admit enjoying Taylor Swift's album with a Bon Iver cameo. Can't go wrong with Bon Iver.
I'm Reading - purposely avoiding any political things. I'm still working my way through the re-read of Joy To The World (Scott Hahn) but mostly light reading to inspire my creative juices for the upcoming year.
I'm Wearing - linen lounge pants, a dri-fit top, and my Stella & Tide Bravely necklace. This was a present for myself to celebrate an incredible year with Color Street. When I first signed up with them I knew I wanted Saint Zelie Martin to be my business patron. Mother of saints and business owner, how could I not want to emulate that? Anyhow when I saw the Bravely necklace while shopping for my daughter (she's a Stella fan) I knew I had to get it. I love the beautiful sentiment behind the piece which is a quote from Saint Zelie - "The good Lord does not do things by halves; He always gives what we need. Let us, then, carry on bravely"
I'm Pondering - the introspection of Advent had me going into the Christmas season aware of my failings and weaknesses in all aspects of my life. I was feeling pretty low on the way to Mass trying to sort out everything in prayer. As Mass got underway, a very enthusiastic singer a couple of pews away had me chuckling out of my morose mood. I wasn't internally laughing because of the admittedly not very good singing. To preface this, I'm a bit spoiled having grown up in a culture that is historically musical. Our parish also happens to have one of the best choirs in the diocese. Whether it be music or life, there's certain part of me that seeks all these perfections to feed that emotional (also selfish) part of me. So when the imperfect singing commenced behind me, there was that instant realization that my perceived failings really deserve the mercy of the imperfect. Because in the imperfection I knew more than ever that I needed help, I needed God. The laughter I was trying to contain wasn't because the singing was bad but at the realization that I don't deserve the perfect singing. I deserved this out-of-tune yet wholehearted baritone as an analogy to my out-of-tune life. And there's the joy, through the imperfect, God seeks me in love, out of my self-pity and into the joy of the life in tune with His. I have never been more thankful and joyful for the less than perfect pitch. So today, sing your joy!
I'm Looking Forward To - wearing a sparkly outfit on New Year's Eve, at home. Because why the heck not?!
Mom Treat - in photo
Prayers - continuing prayers for friends. A better 2021.
Snapshots -
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