The Nudge – Part 2

Since the Zacchaeus Journey, I have continued to say “yes” to other new experiences, albeit sometimes reluctantly.

When our parish first started Adoration, I wasn’t completely sure what it was. I was a little intimidated. I thought there was some prescribed way to do it and that I would never get it right. I really thought it was all just way too hard. Of course, as I found out, nothing could be further from the truth. I am glad I gave it a try despite my initial reservations.  Once again, God kept nudging me and I continue to reap the benefits. Now Adoration is simply part of who I am and what I do.

I was also a little apprehensive about trying maisonnée. I knew I was out of my element and really couldn’t imagine myself doing it. This was most definitely for “other people” and not for me. At first, I was decidedly uncomfortable and riddled with self-doubt about my ability to fit in. Like before, God nudged me and pushed me to give it another try after my inauspicious start. And once again, I was very fortunate. My first  maisonnée as a full-time participant was completely filled with joy. And I would have missed out, if God hadn’t nudged me.

As I like to say, “Thank God for God.” I thank God that God was persistent (not to mention patient!). I am glad He ignored me ignoring His invitations. Every time I didn’t RSVP, He simply nudged me again until He successfully transformed my litany of “no’s” to a “yes.”

Saying “yes” has made all the difference. It has opened up my world. It has helped me to get closer to the Lord. Saying “yes” to these and other experiences has made my world bigger, brighter and, well, just better.

When I look back at all this, I think of “The Wizard of Oz,” and how it begins  in black and white then switches to color. I feel like that’s what happened to me and my spiritual life. For a long time, I was living in black and white. And I was content. But once I allowed the Lord to have a more prominent role in my life and let our relationship be multi-dimensional, all of the sudden I found myself in the big, bright, joyful world of color.

It’s not that one is right and the other wrong. But now that I have experienced what it’s like “over the rainbow,” I figure why live in black and white, if I can live in color?

Elaine (NY)