Maybe in the Future 🍎

Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:

share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.

---

Last Sunday, our 11-yr-old son joined me for Mass. I was giving a parish mission at a local parish, so it was awesome to have his help after each Mass. The word that stood out to me was from the Gospel of Luke. The context was a tree that wasn’t producing to the liking of the orchard owner.

The owner visited his orchard and told the gardener to cut down the barren tree. But the gardener, who had the expertise in growing plants, advised against it. He asked for another year, in which he would “cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it,” and—here’s my word for the week—

“…it may bear fruit in the future.”

This week, I have felt called to let things rest. I’m thinking of a particular, close friendship where I took a step back on communication for several days. And also of my desire to become super-invested in our local community. And, furthermore, of a series of health exams that I’m currently taking for the future.

The list goes on, of the things that seem unresolved and uncomfortable for me this week. Overall, I’m reminded that A) it’s not my natural disposition to see projects through to the end! And B) I’m also prone to give up entirely on specific relationships, based on my personality.

The fact that the Lord has called me to this season of relative calm, is very contrary to my natural sensibilities. But this Word for the Week is helping me to rejoice in the wisdom of the Lord. He knows what He is doing! I trust Him to work through the “boring” or mundane or seemingly unfruitful happenings of life, which I would naturally avoid!, to bring about His will.

Through the Word of God, I’ve been able to rejoice this week in reflecting on the past. There have definitely been seasons where I felt like nothing was happening. And yet, I can look back to see the fruit that God was cultivating. In other words, He is the patient gardener. And I want to cooperate with how he is tilling the soil and fertilizing it.

Does that mean there is necessarily…poop, all around?! So we praise the Lord for the manure, too?

In your life, is there any “fertilizer” that is stinking things up, yet causing you to grow stronger and more healthy?

Pray with me? (This is a bit sassy one, but it’s in line with the gospel!)

Dear Jesus, thank you for your patience and for your wisdom. Thank you for how you prepare our environment to best aid in our growth and in our future fruitfulness. Thank you for the times that really stink, too, because we trust you are working even the “fertilizer” out for our good. Amen.

___

Special thanks to VIP Patrons:

Dick Safranski
Jordan Mendez
Julian Padilla
Jessica Cook
Kate Hicks
Deacon Tim & Lily Roberto
Carrie Brzezinski
Frances Jones
Elizabeth Herberg

To become an Amanda Vernon Patron and receive a “New Music Every Month,” signup at amandavernon.com/patron.

Kindness (Come and See!)

Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:

share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.

---

Not this Sunday but last, our family celebrated Mass in Hayward, California! There’s a big smile on my face as I type this paragraph. It was incredible to be back at All Saints, our family’s home for two years. During the time of my role as Artist in Residence at All Saints, we made friends who became like family.

Everything about All Saints is beautiful to me! Outside the church, the air smells of fresh roses from the parish flower beds. The exterior is towering, clean, and crowned with a blue dome. Inside, the people come from what seems like every nation. Last Sunday, the homily was heartfelt and applicable, the songs were inviting, and there was even a special guest speaker from the Holy Land.

The word that stood out to me was, “kindness,” from the psalm response (“Lord, let us see your kindness.”) 

Over the past week, Jesus invited me to look and to see His kindness all around me: in our California friends, in a lengthy road trip with hilarious children, and in our own beautiful home. During an afternoon workout on a stationary bike last week, I read a collection of short stories by Madeleine L’Engle. One of the characters (“Matilda”) grabbed my attention.

In one scene, written from the perspective of Matilda’s brother, the narrator says, “(Matilda) flung herself into my arms and simultaneously managed to hold me.”

As I repeatedly pushed down on the bike pedals, I thought, “I relate with this character! She knows how to accept an embrace while still being strong for the other person.” In the next pages, another description of Matilda made me pause again. “(Matilda) was never one for letting anyone in. Generous to a fault about everyone else, but too proud ever to let us be generous in return.” That one stuck out more.

“Does this also describe me?” I asked, as I shifted my weight from side to side on the stationary bike. “Do I give generously to others but refuse to accept their generosity?” The bike sent cool air back up at me via the front tire. “Do I give hugs but then refuse an embrace when it’s for my own comfort?”

Kindness: the word for the week came to the rescue! It dawned on me, as I reflected on our California road trip and on the Word of the Lord, that Jesus is asking me to accept His kindness unconditionally. 

The story of Jesus calling out to Peter and Andrew to follow Him comes to mind. When they asked where Jesus lived, Jesus’ response was, “Come and see.”

Perhaps that’s what Jesus is saying to each of us today. Maybe sometimes we simply need to see and recognize His kindness first, to respond openly. Where is His kindness in your life right now? Come and see! Look around. (I’m telling this to myself right now.)

___

Special thanks to VIP Patrons:

Dick Safranski
Jordan Mendez
Julian Padilla
Jessica Cook
Kate Hicks
Sara Chacon
Kelly Wesaw
Deacon Tim & Lily Roberto
Carrie Brzezinski

To become an Amanda Vernon Patron and receive a “New Song Every Sunday,” signup at amandavernon.com/patron.