From The Desk of Intern Steven

"But Mary pondered and treasured these things in her heart"

These words hit me strong this year (and not just because I heard them 4 times). I thought about Mary's response to God's calling. They didn't immediately spurn her into action but instead she processed them internally. She didn't ignore the things going on around her. She didn't respond with apathy (as many people do.)

What am I treasuring? What am I pondering? Anything?

It isn't an easy question to answer. I find myself thinking, "I don't have time. I'm so busy." But maybe that's the point. Maybe in the midst of all that is going on we must take time to ponder our vocation from God and treasure the blessings given by our Heavenly Father.

What are you treasuring? What are you pondering?

I can tell you this. I have been pondering what paid work the Lord wants me to do. Where I can work for a paycheck but have it be more about the money I'm being paid. Nobody thinks they are getting paid too much (even if much of America thinks they are).

I've been treasuring people. I've always told people the greatest thing about me is my family and friends. This Christmas being so far away from so many people I've known and love I'm remembering to be grateful that they are in my life (even if it is at a distance.) However I've also been grateful for the warm reception that Nebraska has given me (and really all the interns.) I didn't spend this Christmas alone. I had brunch with some wonderful people, I had a Christmas Eve dinner with some fun people, I had a lovely Christmas luncheon with some people I knew and a few new faces.

I encourage each and everyone of you to take time. Ponder what the Lord is calling you to do. Treasure what you've been given. I know it feels like you don't have time but MAKE time. Your spiritual journey is your own. You set the pace. Are you sitting down on the path with your hands over your eyes? Are you running along so quickly you can't process what's going on around you? (Guilty)

I hope in 2012 to be a little better at slowing down. When a priest says, "This one over here. It's like he's afraid to not be doing something. That if he holds still God may actually speak to him. So he keeps moving to avoid God's call." it's time to slow down. It will be hard for me. But if Mary can do with the responsibility of being the mother of God's One and Only Son then I gotta at least try.

Merry Christmas to all!