The sun was shining the other day. It felt so good. My energy was high and I accomplished much off my list and for others. At one point I eagerly walked the dog so I could take it all in. The next day wasn’t so easy. It was cold and cloudy. I kept watching the clouds and looked for the sun. I only needed a small window to force myself to get out, but it was hard because my energy was a mirror of the clouds. I felt like doing nothing. The cold and lack of sun made it hard to move. The next day was even worse because it was complete with rain or should I say downpours.
I begin pondering on how different I was when the day was filled with sun and when it was not. I knew it was all about my attitude, but what could it teach me about my relationship with God, including the relationship I have with God being in my neighbor? Would I have a sunnier attitude and more energy by being opened to learn? I hoped so as I don’t want the weather to dictate my enthusiasm for any given day.
In reflecting, I could see that when the sun was out, everything felt good and I welcomed all the day had to offer. My ability to receive the gift of the day and also give the gifts I had in order to help others was high and everything felt good. I was energized and my heart felt light and happy.
It was as if I mirrored the sun, which was ready to glorify God by using its gift of light and warmth. It would shine on both the good and the bad. It didn’t refuse to give its gifts to anyone based on judgments. Freely given. Freely received. All were welcomed.
When it was cloudy to any degree, everything changed. I no longer had the energy and with that came the lack of desire to use my gifts. I was closed off and was not receiving the gift of the sun. In reflecting on it, I absolutely see the gift of the sun was still there. I could see the green grass and the colors of the flowers set before me. I could see the people walking their dogs and all the cars driving by. When the sun was set and it was dark, I couldn’t see those gifts. I looked up at the sky on the day I was reflecting and it was completely white. It was the background to the trees and seemed to perfectly highlight their beauty. Funny how we like to decorate our homes with the breezy feeling of white in the summer, but we don’t accept it when it’s in the sky. God chose that day to decorate in white. When I saw it that way, my energy began surfacing. I thought about the days when it’s only partly cloudy. How fun it must be for God to make puffy clouds! What joy He must feel when He makes angels, dogs, ducks and people out of them!
Once I started opening my heart to the creativity of God and the beauty He brings every day when the sun rises, everything changed.
I allowed my heart to welcome the gifts being given and in turn I was eager to give my gifts. I began noticing how good I felt when, whatever gift I may be giving at any given moment, was happily received. I felt great. That’s how God must feel when I happily receive His gifts. I also noticed how sad I felt when my gift was not received or even noticed. That’s how God must feel when I complain or don’t appreciate His gifts. I knew with those comparisons, I wanted to make sure I appreciated all gifts, but in particular I wanted to embrace the weather whatever it may be. The shining sun, the glistening snow, the bright white or blue sky, the fluffy clouds and the grey skies that offer me the chance to play in the rain are all gifts if I am opened to receiving them.
A welcoming heart. That is what I want. I want to welcome the gifts that are given to me and I want to welcome the neighbor that God places in my life. I want to show them how they have a place in my heart by sharing my gifts. The size of the gift won’t matter. Any moment God places someone in my life, He has most assuredly given me something I can share.
At times all we can give is a smile. When that happens, we know we can trust that that was all that was needed. If something more was needed, God surely would have supplied us with the means to do so.
At Christmas time we often hear the question posed whether or not we have room in the inn of our hearts. We embrace that, but then we can easily forget after the Christmas season is over.
Life gets in the way and we forget what’s important. The to-do-list must get done, the bills have to be paid, the kids need to get to practice, the car needs repair and the dinner must be made. No one can argue that they aren’t important. Many things on the list are other oriented and part of our vocation, our purpose. But having a welcoming heart can be lost because our focus becomes on getting the boxes checked off and at times just making it through the day.
Every day the sun rises and shines on us. We experience the joy when we receive it and it doesn’t take much for the sun to do it. It was going to rise anyway. Much of our welcoming life can be like that. We can help people feel valued and welcomed simply because we were there anyway.
We just need to practice a heightened awareness so we don’t miss the many precious opportunities given us. We cannot have that awareness grow without prayer and God’s much needed help.
Do we smile at people who walk by us or we do we avoid eye contact? Do we pick up the phone while making dinner so we can call a friend or are the earphones only used to listen to music? Do we think to use our love for baking to make a cake for a friend who is down? Do we maintain eye contact with the one we are talking to or are we busy scanning the crowded room? Are we present? Do we send a card to our elderly family members who don’t use email so they can be lifted up in knowing that they are important and remembered? Do we knock on our neighbors door to say hi? Do we run if we hear the neighbor knocking on ours? There are so many ways we can be present and when we are present, we are welcoming and making room in the inn of our hearts.
I pray I can remember what I’ve learned from the clouds so that my love for God and neighbor can grow. What once made me feel blah now makes me aware that the beauty and the silver lining is always there for us to see because God’s gift is always there.
By looking up and simply being aware of the weather of the day, I pray I can then be mindful to be aware of the fact that all I have to do is rise, show up and be aware to be that welcoming heart of love.
Prayerful Reflections – After praying, talk to God about what happened during your time of prayer.
The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all. Acts 28:2
Praise the Lord from the earth lightning and hail, snow and clouds, strong winds that obey His commands. Ps 148:5-8.
Reflect on the sun’s rising always bringing you gifts even when the sky is not a blue sky.
Take some time each morning this week to reflect on the gift that the weather is giving you.
Every evening review your day to see what happened when you showed up. Did you use your gift and by their use be a welcoming heart? Can you see that you had all you needed just by showing up? Can you trust you had all you needed?
In reviewing your day, can you see that you had a welcoming heart in receiving gifts given to you?
If you see that you, perhaps, missed something in either giving or receiving, don’t beat yourself up. We are all human. We all have to work at being more aware. Find joy in the process of this part of your journey. It’s like playing Where’s Waldo to find your welcoming heart!