My goal for the pilgrimage last weekend was to enjoy my time with God. While I have to “work” throughout the pilgrimage, there are plenty of times and opportunities to just be quiet and be with God. While many of those times are just quiet and peaceful, others have a particular delight, I feel Gods presence and it lifts my heart. To say those times makes me happy would be true, but it doesn’t describe well what is really happening.
It is a particular feeling of joy that is based on a solid rock foundation. It’s as if everything in the world could be chaos and confusion but I am at peace and “happy,” because God is my surety, my security. God lets me know that when I acknowledge him and strive to do his will, he will in fact take care of me and everything. There is tremendous peace and joy in that.
This happiness doesn’t just come when I am thinking of “happy” things. Often it accompanies my meditations on the sorrows of Jesus and Mary. It is a gentle assurance that God has a plan and his purpose runs through all things. Like the feeling you get standing at the edge of the ocean or a vast forest that is teaming with life, and you know God has made this, and directs it according to his laws and purpose.
What I want to tell you is that this doesn’t just happen when I go on pilgrimage. It happens throughout my daily life. God is found right here and right now in all circumstances and situations. But in the special times when you make time just for God, he comes in a wonderful way to guide, direct, and console your heart. May God be blessed everywhere and for all time. God bless you.