Some days I wonder how faithful I am being to God’s call in my life. I have been working on a presentation for a class on the First Week of the Spiritual Exercises tonight when I should have been ready to do this over the weekend. I have procrastinated too much but still the fruits will be good, I hope. I have given the talk before and have just added some beautiful elements to it, based on some new reading I have done.

The First Week is about understanding how we are loved sinners–God loves us as we are, in our imperfection. Tomorrow I am going to hear Brene Brown speak on shame and resilience. The Exercises also teach about shame–how God wants us to acknowledge our short-comings but not in a way that demoralizes us. Shame can destroy us and prevent us from bearing the fruit that God desires for us.

If we can break free of all the sins and sense of unworthiness that binds us, we can bear fruit abundantly. God has big plans for us and we need to believe that who we are and what we can offer is enough. God who has created us will prune us to bear the fruit this world needs. God’s grace is sufficient. The harvest awaits the gifts we bring.

Peace,

Suzanne