The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:11)
As a pupil under the tutelage of my wonderful Mom (and home-school teacher) I was taught to make Bible verse memory a part of the daily routine. Brightly colored verses jumped off the white paper pinned to the bulletin board near our dining room table. Every morning after breakfast my younger brother and I repeated the verse of the week. To keep us on task, we had frequent oral quizzes to review verses already committed to memory. I was indifferent at the time, simply trying to please Mom and be a perfect student. As an adult I am grateful for this discipline that now brings words of life into my heart and mind when I need them most.
This winter I began the practice of taking a word or phrase from Scripture to carry with me through the week. Whenever I am overwhelmed by a problem or have time to think on the bus, I return to this sacred word or phrase. The Psalms are perfect for this exercise.
“You have made known to me the path of life…” Ps 16
(This one helped me lift my thoughts above the pavement as I hung on for dear life in a bus going way too fast on a busy road.)
“You fill me with joy in your presence…” Ps 16
(This one got me through a week full of frustrating moments.)
“It is you who know my way…” Ps. 142
(Asking a lot of questions, but learning to trust in Him who knows the way.)
As our community grows with more staff, volunteers and children, we have begun to define and delegate roles and responsibilities. My spiritual mentor also encouraged me to think about the question of vocation. What is God’s special purpose for me?
In response to these questions I formulated a simple response: “I feel most called to encourage and develop our contemplative life togother and to help those in the community discover their vocation. This also applies to my relationship with the children. I feel called to help them discover their gifts and learn to listen to God’s voice in their lives.”
Pray for me as I develop and learn to understand my vocation, God’s specific purpose with me. Pray that I will learn to love and serve from His strength and not my own.
~Rahela