Catholic Free Press
I admit that I wince a little at the title ?Accepting Abundance? because there is no doubt it has connotations of New Age promises of riches and prosperity, self-help advice for anyone willing to fall for it. But to me that phrase literally explains my path to conversion and the changes in my heart that led to changes in my mind.
In desiring to leave behind a terribly sinful past, I had difficulty accepting that I could be forgiven. I realized, though, that to refuse that mercy would be to refuse grace, to refuse Christ altogether, and I could not do that. So I prayed that I would humbly accept the abundances of life that I knew God wants us all to have.
As I accepted forgiveness, it changed my outlook on life. I began to see the world more objectively, as a gift, full of the beauty and goodness my heart longed for. I stopped pining for my relationships to be an unattainable ideal to make me happy, and instead accepted them for what they are, and I learned to embrace them, imperfections and all.
As I learned more about the Church, I discovered treasures to aid me in forming a conscience and pursuing goals in life. Each day I had that feeling you have when you are at the end of complex jig-saw puzzle, one little piece snaps into place and suddenly you see how to snap other pieces into place too, and soon you can see the bigger picture with clarity, and you can?t help but accept it because the vividness of the magnificent never-ending truth is right there before you.
As I accepted life, I accepted that abundance of being ?open to life? too. I accepted the gift of children, one right after another, and I soon learned that this meant accepting death too. Three miscarriages almost caused me to fear pregnancy enough to avoid it completely, but then I saw beyond that. If we cling to the promises in the Creed, we know that life is everlasting. Slowly, though still not yet, the sadness is replaced with a deep and abiding joy. Regardless of the empty ache in my arms and heart, there are more children to love because they still exist.
In gratitude, each day is a day to ask God to use my life for His glory, and the more I do that, the more I realize that, as silly as it might sound, I am living that title ? accepting abundance ? in ways I never imagined. Happy Thanksgiving.
Category: Catholic Free Press, Personal
Source: http://www.acceptingabundance.com/accepting-what/
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