Fears and Tears

This past Friday, I attended a Women’s Advent Retreat at my Parish. It began with a beautiful candlelight Mass. The Church was glowing with twinkling lights and a peace entered my soul. I was drawn closer to the Lord by the beautiful music, the scripture readings, and receiving Holy Communion.

As I sat with my sisters in Christ, my gaze turned toward the Crucifix and I felt a deep and pure love from Jesus enter my heart. My gaze also turned to the beautiful image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and I felt a motherly warmth envelope my being.

The evening continued with a speaker who gave a talk that was animated, funny, and full of emotion. His talk was about the radical and perfect love that God has for us. He described his family life, and he spoke about the love his father had for his sister. She was not his biological daughter, but he only saw her as his daughter. They would frequently dance to the song “My Girl”, and it was a sweet memory that he shared with us.

It reminded me of my father, and our first dance at my wedding reception. The song was “What a Wonderful World”, and it brought a smile to my face, and tears to my eyes.

God, the Father sees me as his daughter. He loves me, and I was able to open up my heart to Him, and receive His love. God, the Father, is my dance partner through this life. He holds me close and leads me in a beautiful, heavenly melody. A deep peace overtook me, and I gave thanks to God for His great gift.

The evening concluded with a time of Adoration, and I sat with the Lord in silence. I was still and gazed upon Him. It was a time to receive His love, and offer Him my gratitude for all He has done for me.

Dear God, I thank You for the gift of peace. I pray for the grace to draw closer to the Lord Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Love, your little daughter, Amen.