Last week we celebrated St. Valentine’s
Day. While many think this is just
another Hallmark Holiday, it is a time for us to think about our
relationships. It is a time for us to do
a little something special for our spouse, parents, children, and all those we
love. A simple card, a sweet treat, a
small bouquet of flowers, is just a few things that might put a smile on your
special someone’s face.
At the school Mass, Fr. Hunter talked
to the students about relationships. He
asked them to ponder how their relationships are with their parents, siblings,
and friends. He shared with us his
relationships with his family and friends.
Finally he asked us to ponder our relationship with God. So with that in mind, I did some pondering.
As I have pondered my relationship with
God, I decided there are three ways in which we can have a relationship with
God. First, there is the “all in”
relationship. When we are “all in,” we
have a relationship that follows Gods word in action, thoughts, and
relationships. We put God first in every
thought, before every decision, before every action. We depend on Him to lead us and guide us
throughout our life.
The second type of relationship with
God is the relationship of convenience.
This is a relationship in which we might pray to God when things are not
going well, or when we want a desired outcome to a certain event. We only want God in our lives, when it is
only beneficial.
The third type of relationship with God
is no relationship at all. This
relationship usually has the mind set of “I can do it all by myself, I do not
need anyone’s help.” This relationship
has God nowhere in the picture. It might
even go as far as to deny God’s existence completely.
I am here to say, that I have been in
all three types of relationships with God, at certain times of my life. Having no relationship with God was really
easy. It had no accountability and
allowed me to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted to do it. I was easy to justify my actions regardless
if they were right or wrong, because it was all about me, and had no regards
for others.
Having a relationship of convenience
was just that, convenient. I had this
happy go lucky idea that God is always with me and I could depend on Him to get
me out of any situation that I might find myself in. I could depend on Him to be there but only
when I needed Him.
Then there is having a relationship
with God, letting Him guide me. This is
particularly hard for me and I imagine most people. It is often hard to set aside ego or the
earthly ways. I often feel that the
achievements I have reached, I reached because of me and the things that I have
done, when in reality, anything I do only happens because I allow Him into my
life.
So, while we spent time this week
nurturing our relationships with our families, loved ones, and friends,
celebrating Valentine’s Day, it was because of Fr. Hunter’s homily, that I now
realize that I also need to nurture my relationship with God. Sometimes I struggle to let Him lead me, and
sometimes, it is easy to see that He is leading my path. No matter where your relationship with God
may be, know that He is there waiting for you to allow Him to lead your path.
As we approach the Lenten season, take
some time and consider doing something for the 40 days of Lent that will
strengthen your relationship with God.
Make a decision to invite God into your life through daily prayer,
service, practicing forgiveness, reading a daily reflection, whatever works for
you. Commit to starting the day with
prayer, or say a daily Rosary. Allow Him
to guide you even when our world makes it seem that having God in your life is
wrong. Will it be difficult, probably,
but like anything else the more you do it the better you get. And when you get good at it, it is then that
you know that God is taking control and guiding the relationship.
