St. Francis of Assisi is well known by many, including our little family. His prayer has helped me, throughout my years, to keep focused. To not become so self absorbed. It has kept me from forgetting where true Joy and Peace comes from. Not by focusing on how others can be instruments for me but to remember that I am here to be an instrument to others; first and foremost, in this recent year, to GeekMan and Bigfoot.
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
I love how when St. Francis had his major conversion of heart, he sought solitude. Something our society is definitely not comfortable with anymore. And yet, solitude can be such a beautiful thing. It’s where everything becomes quiet again. Where you can hear everything that stirs, even that within your soul. Solitude is where God can meet us; meet us in a beautiful silence.
Being a stay at home mama, solitude has taken on a new meaning and experience. My times of silence are few and far between, because I fill it it with anything and everything. There was a time, while I was in college, I sought solitude and silence. I had so much peace during this time. That time was such a gift for my soul and heart. And now, I do feel peace, but not the same as before. I think that’s because I’m in an entirely different place now. So my peace now is going to be and feel different than before. I think I just need to take some time to figure out how I can still get that time in.
The fruit of silence is prayer,
the fruit of prayer is faith,
the fruit of faith is love,
the fruit of love is service,
the fruit of service is peace.
-Blessed Mother Teresa
Getting back to silence, one fruit from above at a time, my hope is to let silence fill our home in the beautiful way that it can with a three and a half month old. haha. I suppose my silent times will be different. But, i’m grateful for that. The silent times will be filled with Bigfoot’s oohs and ahhs, coos, squeals, and laughter, which is good. But, I need to remind myself that they don’t have to be filled with every random TV show or constant random music. Of course, there’s a time and place for these to-dos, but they don’t have to be as constant as they have been lately.
So, thank you for reminding me again, dear St. Francis of Assisi, to embrace solitude and to meet God in the silent times of our home. Thank you God for the gift that you gave me during college in allowing me to spend such sweet time with you in solitude.
Oh! One more thing about St. Francis of Assisi. Prior to his conversion he enjoyed parties, lived a life of wealth before his life of poverty and of complete abandonment to God, and he enjoyed singing. After his conversion, he was known for dancing for Joy and Praise to our Lord, and for singing praises. So, in honor of dear St. Francis of Assisi, GeekMan, Bigfoot, and I will be sure to have a dance party with sweet music.
A time for silence and a time for music. A time for solitude and a time for dancing. There’s a time for so many different things and I’m grateful for that.
St. Francis of Assisi, please pray for us.
