Common time. Ordinary time. The last major holiday in the church year is Pentecost, the receiving of the Holy Spirit, then we are sent out into ordinary time until the church new year, Advent. During summer, most churches get a little quieter. Choirs and Sunday Schools have breaks, people take vacations, attendance is down. There seems to be this ebb and flow that is built into the calendar where God calls us in -- to grow, to learn, to struggle with faith and then sends us out - to serve, to live, to be present in the world.
In my own life, I see a reflection of the church year. I hiked up the mountain during advent, Christmas, epiphany and lent. Pregnant. Struggling with how my life might change. Deep in prayer that God provide strength and wisdom. During Holy Week and into Easter, I found myself on the mountaintop. Transformed and open to the grace of God's call on my life. I gave birth and enjoyed the sacred newborn moments with baby Philip. All I wanted to do was stay there. Stay in the wonder of Easter morning. But down I headed, down into ordinary life.
I am busy with the call laid on me. Loving and caring for my beautiful boys. Being attentive and supportive to my husband. Shining light and leading our company. I don't have much time to be Mary. To sit at Jesus's feet. But, I pray on the way to and from work. I sing hymns in the shower. The meditations of my heart say -- this is the season of green, it is time to be out in the fields. Trusting that the Spirit is with me, it is the season to live out my faith through the work of my hands. During this season of common time, my devotion is to find opportunities to infuse each day with light and love. And that, my friend, is why it is not that easy being green.
