Here’s my Lenten lesson so far: I am totally dependent on God to make any change in thought or behavior at all. And that applies especially now, when we are tempted to fret about our health, finances, and the future. Funny how we keep learning the same lessons over and over again, but go a little deeper with them each time.
Relaxing into God’s arms is the cure for too much worry and self-will: the way to be closer to God is to stop “doing” so much and start “being” with Him more.
Someone sent me the piece below, which is based on John 15, years ago. I don’t know who wrote it, but I’m glad they did. It helped put things in perspective and I hope it does the same for you. Scroll down and leave a comment to let me know what you think!
Love always,
Rose
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (Jn 15:9-11).
HOW TO HANG OUT WITH GOD
Me: God, what do You want me to do?
He: I know what I want to do, what do you want to do?
Me: Well, I would like a happy marriage, well-behaved children, clean house, health, enough money…
He: Okay, all good things.
Me: What do You want me to do?
He: Hang out with me.
Me: Hang out? What do You want to do?
He: Hang out.
Me: What do You want to talk about?
He: Let’s just hang out.
Me: Now what do You want to do?
He: Nothing, let’s just hang out.
Me: What can I do?
He: Hang out with me.
Me: Then what?
He: Love.
Me: Then what?
He: Love some more.
Me: What for?
He: Because I said so.
Me: What good is it for?
He: You’ll see.
Me: I don’t feel very loving.
He: I know.
Me: How am I going to do it?
He: Just do it.
Me: Why?
He: Because I told you so.
Me: What else?
He: That’s it.
Me: What do you mean, that’s it?
He: Just hang out with me.
Me: It’s hard for me to hang out, I need to be doing something.
He: I know.
Me: So what should I do?
He: Hang out with me.
Me: How do I do it?
He: You’re doing it right now.
Me: I feel ridiculous, You just want me to hang out?
He: Yeah.
Me: I love You…what I know of You.
He: Love you too.
Me: What do You love about me?
He: That you hang out with me.
Me: Who wouldn’t want to hang out with you?
He: You’d be surprised.
Me: Surprise me.
He: Well, for instance, you. You often have a million things going through your head, or you fill it up with silly fantasies or judgments or you worry too much.
Me: Sorry.
He: I forgive you.
Me: So what do You want to do?
He: Let’s just hang out and see what happens.
Chuck Crean
Thank you, Rose! Difficult to do in our daily life, easier at Eucharistic Adoration. Definitely worth doing! As kids we used to hang out with our friends, why not hang out with God?
Rose Folsom
Right, Chuck! Why is it so hard to believe that all he wants is our company?
Rose
Rita M Reardon
I am task oriented I feel important by getting things done. I love to check things off my list. Today my list is not long. Can’t go to daily Mass or adoration. This was how I filled my day.
Thank you as this is a beautiful reminder to love God just by just spending time with Him; being the person God made me to be; to live in relationship.
God loves me and He wants me to love him and I don’t have to do anything. This will be a challenge. This will be a good lesson in just being present.
Rose Folsom
I hear ya, sister. I’m working on some writing today — but writing about God is not the same as hanging out with him! I’ll get out soon for a walk and try to listen a little bit :).
Rose
Carmen
“Be still & know He’s there”
Easy to said & hard for me to do. I’m always about praying but don’t let my ears be OPEN to listen to him. One of my priorities to learn this lent season.????
Rose Folsom
Carmen,
My favorite tactic for hard things is to start with 5 minutes. Praying with you to be open to God this Lent.
God bless,
Rose
Linda Hartzell
Just hang out.
Clear your head.
You may hear Him say “I’m listening.”
Linda
PS keep me in the loop for virtual conferencing…love the idea.
Rose Folsom
How awesome is it that the Lord of the Universe is listening for us to say “Love you, too.”
You’ll hear from me soon on the first “let’s us girls get together, pray, and talk about the Faith” event!
Rose
Linda gruber
During this pandemic don’t let your herat be troubled..just do the best you can,by following the given heath instructions..the rest is in the Lord’s hands.
With most entertainment venues closed it is the perfect time to hang out with Him..especially during this lenten season..maybe in some way He Is helping us try to know Him better..
Rose Folsom
Linda,
Great point that this is a chance to turn our attention away from our earthly worries and turn to God for his saving help.
Rose
Pat Westrick
With all non-essential meetings cancelled or postponed, we have much more time to hangout, so why not with God? It’s a time to pray for safety, good health, and protection, especially for public safety officers and healthcare workers. Also, we pray for families with issues of child care and working parents. Offer up our prayers while we hangout with God ?
Rose Folsom
Amen! Thank you for the reminder, Pat!
Marciel
God has decided to give us this trying time when we are restricted from many of our activities to learn how to hang out with Him. Hopefully, we will get into the habit of making it a part of our day. What a good thing!
Rose Folsom
Marciel,
Both Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas said that hanging out with God (contemplation) is the highest activity for humankind. So why is it so difficult to make a habit? We need to support each other on that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Rose
Diane Isabelle
Thanks, Rose. Very inspiring.
Rose Folsom
We humans tend to make things more complicated than they really are, don’t we? It seems that hanging out with God leads us to love him more, which leads us to desire his will more, which makes us more our true selves than ever. Simple but often difficult!
Tom Roberts
Timely reminder from you and your readers. Looked at in that respect, attending daily mass, Eucharistic Adoration and Contemplative prayer these past years is practice for doing it on my own. I don’t know if I have that iconic 10,000 of practice yet but “hanging out” with VirtueConnection is another piece of the action. Hey, becoming a knee-jerk Catholic is a good thing. I don’t have to ponder what to do next.
Rose Folsom
So happy to offer Virtue Connection as an online survivor during this time. My intrepid local peeps are still joining me in person on Wednesday for a previously scheduled presentation at our parish. We are, as our pastor said, being prudent but still “leaning into this.”
Max
Thank you.
Rose Folsom
Bless you, Max.