St. John Paul II on Everyday Life

Do you ever go through periods of time when your schedule is so carefully crafted that any unforeseen obstacle threatens to throw everything out of balance? Most of us can probably answer this question with a resounding “yes!”, and some of us might even be feeling this way right now. Personally, our family has a lot going on for the next few weeks: we are in the process of moving, packing, and doing work on our new house, all while I am almost 7 months pregnant, and we are leaving for a family reunion the day after we move! Despite my best efforts to plan the next couple of weeks accordingly, with kids in camp and workers lined up, life happens and things have come up that I didn’t expect. Kids get sick, workers’ schedules get pushed back, and I am moving more slowly than I thought I would be 🙂

My awesome husband noticed my oncoming stress last night and suggested that maybe I could take a day to recuperate. He also recognized that we have a lot going on right now, and thanked me for all of my hard work – good man! Even though my first instinct was to protest – “there’s too much to do, I can’t take a break” – I realize that giving in to stress is certainly not the answer. I decided to look to the saints, and in particular, St. John Paul II, for some guidance. As always, St. JP II came through for me with this perfectly fitting bit of wisdom:

“True holiness does not mean a flight from the world; rather, it lies in the effort to incarnate the Gospel in everyday life, in the family, at school and at work, and in social and political involvement.”

What a beautifully simple answer: In all that I do today, Lord, and in all of the events of my daily life, may I seek to incarnate the Gospel. Rather than wishing that I could flee from the challenges of this world, please help me to embrace whatever may come my way and to turn it into something beautiful, all for the advancement of your kingdom here on earth.

May God bless each of you and your families. Mary, Seat of Wisdom, pray for us! St. John Paul II, pray for us!