Finding God in the Bits and Pieces of Everyday

By Eileen Doolong, RSM

Posted on 3/8/2017

Hoping for a little inspiration, I recently drove to Hammonasset Beach to reflect on Lent and my plan for this holy season. Ash Wednesday was coming, the temperature was in the 60s, and a little quiet beach walk seemed just right for this consideration.

Arriving at the beach, I was immediately distracted by a family—mother, father and five (yes, five!) boys ages 2 to 9 or so, who had set down a blanket and settled in for the afternoon. Between the screams of delight from the boys, the concerns of the parents were evident: “Pull up your pants, Brian!”, “Don’t throw sand, Billy!” and “Where did you bury your shoes, Troy?” Finally, the parents decided it was time to pack it in and go out for something to eat. For some reason (God?), my heart was opened by this young family and they made me smile. I thought about them…and about how our ideas of God are shaped by different life circumstances, about how God works in all kinds of people and situations. And I, who had made a trip to the beach to reflect on Lent, found God in circumstances other than the beach walk. My closed heart had opened. For those parents, there was little need to reflect on Lent—their sacrifice, their love was constant. The words of Patrick Kavanaugh, the Irish poet, came to mind:

God is in the bits and pieces of everyday.

While I look for God to be present, God is already there, waiting for my heart to open so God can tumble right in. I know this, but in the busyness of life I cannot seem to hold onto it.

I made a Lenten resolution that afternoon. I won’t give up candy (easy) or an evening glass of wine (harder). I won’t concentrate on “finding” God. But I will take some extra time to put myself in places where God can enter my heart, where my heart will be softened, opened: a good movie, music, a trip to the museum or the beach. Along with my determination to do something now to stand with immigrants and the undocumented, Lent will be meaningful this year.

May you know God this Lent. And may you be blessed on the journey.