I like to think that I am living a good Christian life. After all the goal of being Christian is to live the way God wants me to live in relationship with Jesus with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Yet, sometimes I take a little time to ask in prayer if I am really doing the will of God and is there something else I need to be doing. Recently, I just spread my arms to the sky and asked, “What do you want from me?”
The thought, as I pondered my life, was that I am a husband, a father, a brother, a friend, an uncle, and a grandfather. Cool. I pray, I work, I garden, mow grass, do chores. I have a personal relationship with Jesus. I sing. Then God seemed to say to me in my thought. “Be better. Be a better husband, a better father and grandfather, a better brother, a better friend and uncle, have a better relationship with Jesus. I recall what Sister Theresa of Calcutta said, “Do little things, just with more love.” Paraphrased.
An alcoholic once shared how he got sober. He went to a meeting and asked how he could quit drinking. He was told that in order to get the answer he had to not drink for one whole day. So, he did just that. At the end of the day he got the answer, “Do it again tomorrow.”
Maybe, in doing God’s will it is a one day at a time thing. Even as a little kid I thought in terms of big and grandiose things and imagined being a superhero like Superman or The Lone Ranger, or St. Paul. What I have discovered is that most often, God gives us opportunities, right in front of us, and we don’t see them.
The county fairs will soon be on us. Growing up in rural Gratiot County, we were part of 4-H. We began our meetings with the pledge, “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community and my country.” As Christians we also try to live by our Baptismal Vows to reject Satan, accept Jesus, and live holy sacramental lives in our Church.
The Serenity Prayer, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” In many meetings they add, “Just for today.” What is God’s will for me at this time of my life? Maybe it is to just “Be better”.
“May the Lord bless and keep you. May he let his face shine upon you, be gracious to you and give you his peace.”
