Renewal

On the eve of New Year 2015 and already my mind is racing ahead, wondering just how I can be renewed...

What does it mean?   How does one become a newer, better person?

Perhaps the answer lies in our ability to change and to welcome change.

In a way, it is simple because we are always changing.

There may have been a time when we felt able to do many things and almost willing to take on the challenge of changing the world, making it a better place for mankind.

However, reality slowly sinks in and one realises that we change our world by changing ourselves.

So, where does one begin?   

Is God inviting me to become a better person in some special way?

Of course, God works through the natural and if we have the gift of good friends, then that is a good place to start.  What does my friends say to me?  Is there a pattern evolving?

More especially, what is God whispering to me when I'm alone with Him, giving

time to prayer and meditation.

When we read the lives of the saints, we can see how diligent they were in finding out God's Will and following the inspirations of grace with honesty and buckets of good will.

Renewal will happen when I have the good will to follow the inspirations given to me by God. 

Give of my best...

The Christian-minded person is aware of the challenge of being the best that they can be. 

For me, this is often a difficulty when I become aware of how weak and imperfect I am.

How can a person aim at perfection and remain imperfect?

Perhaps the answer is more simple than we realise...

We are called to Love / to follow He who is LOVE.

This is where perfection is found, not in being strong and perfect, but in being a lover of goodness and beauty.

In the creative world we learn to open ourselves to creating beauty.

It might be in a Poem or a Painting or whatever talent a person might have.

Our Creator will inspire us.  We are asked to follow the inspirations we receive.

What a wonderful way to be the best that we can be.

Christmas

It's become a tradition for us to have our main Christmas meal on the eve of Christmas and we invite friends to come a share Christmas with us.

Our meal was splendid and each person contributed in their own way.

Joan decorated the table which is a work of art.  Gay added her creativity with lights.

Veronica and Michaela did us proud with food fit for royalty. 

We gladly ate and enjoyed each other's company.  Nothing special, yet everything was special.

I'm so proud of our community where simplicity is highlighted and each person is special.

Now, the rest of the community prepare for the traditional Christmas walk in Glendalough while I remain at home and nurse my cold.

God's compassionate nature is felt by all of us. No pressure to be more than we are, yet always invited to put love into all we do.

Oh Babe of Bethleham, fill my heart with love for you this silent Christmas night.

PEACE

Peace of mind is such a gift and can be ours if we choose to have it.

Perhaps what is most essential is how to protect and sustain our peaceful state.

What is it that causes us to lose our peace of mind?

The answer is found in our value system. 

If I value what people think of me, more than Truth, then I can so easily lose my peace of mind.

This could well be the price we are asked to pay.

Our Christian values teach us to believe that God is Truth.

When we are convinced of this simple truth, then we will be truthful.

We will be able and willing to put God first.

Our sense of Truth will protect us and we will have peace of mind.