Monday, December 28, 2009

A Time of Transition

The end of every year marks a time when people finally see all the days they have crossed off the calendar and begin to take an inventory. They examine the choices they have made, the personal battles won and lost, and the changes they would like to make for next year.

This year my reflection involves a new baby, a new puppy, a new religious vocation, and the commitment to bring to realization my true self. I'm the type of person who looks back on the year and just feels tired. But then I feel like it is a good tired. I look at the choices I made, the ones I wish I could make again, and the ones I would remake in a heartbeat.

It's important to note that not every culture has had a concept of time that broke their existence into years. Some ancient cultures followed the passage of the moon or just the path of the sun across the sky for the seasons. But our modern culture has placed a great emphasis on the end and beginning of a year.

Looking forward, I see how my one goal in life is only possible if I am true to the other goals I have set. I cannot endeavor to be a priest without first being a husband and father. I became those first and will be those long after I retire. But the beauty of my time as a husband and father is that I have seen my life n the priesthood in small glimpses. Teaching my children about the faith, receiving encouragement from my wife, counseling family members and friends, humbling myself to recognize my own shortcomings are all a part of ordained life.

I want my path in 2010 to be as straight a line as possible. I know it will be even though from my perspective the line may be swerving wildly that God has blessed me with His guidance. His hand may not be on the wheel but He has certainly offered to be my GPS.

This next year will be full of happiness and sadness, success and failure. But I am supremely thankful just to be alive and in the race. I pray that God will bless us all this coming year and give us a heart that reflects on how we might better love and serve Him.