It can be overwhelming making changes in our lives. Yesterday I challenged you to pick something to change or work on that presents an obstacle on your path to God. Did you do it? Or did it freak you out and make you sweat a little? I’ll be honest, usually when I’m presented with that challenge from a homily, a Scripture reading or a friend I can easily think of something to change and then get swallowed in the paralyzing feeling of “I can’t actually do that though.”
Thank goodness God gives us help. Angels are God’s messengers and frankly, should be our best friends! We each have been gifted with a guardian angel who is always with us, helping to protect us and guide us along our journey in life. Angels are active participants in the world which we can see very clearly during Advent.
Mary is visited by Angel Gabriel who is acting as God’s messenger to ask Mary to be the mother of Jesus. Joseph is visited by an angel while he is discerning how to handle Mary’s untimely pregnancy. Jesus’ birth is heralded by angels singing songs of praise in the sky while the shepherds looked on in wonder. The 3 Magi were planning on returning to Herod to reveal what they had seen in Bethlehem but choose to return home another way after receiving a vision by an angel.
Notice how in all these instances, the people seeing the angel are moved into action. Mary’s yes, Joseph’s acceptance, the shepherd’s visit and the magi’s travel plans are all impacted by angels for the better. Part of being prepared is being willing to accept help along the way, especially when you are in a period of accepting change.
How does your guardian angel influence your life? Do you feel like you can call on your guardian angel to help you truly accept the change you know you need to make? During your 3 minutes of prayer today, say the Guardian Angel prayer. Ask your guardian angel to help you be honest with yourself in identifying the change you are going to make and the courage to see it through. Whenever you feel tempted to move backwards, take a breath and say this prayer to help strengthen your resolve.
Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love
commits me here,
Ever this day,
be at my side,
To light and guard,
Rule and guide.Amen. – Prayer copied from www.ewtn.com
***Did you enjoy “Prepare Ye the Way” or was it distracting for you? Everyone’s experience of prayer is unique. For some music is helpful, for others it is distracting. Learning more about what helps and hinders your prayer is yet another way to continue preparing the way. Please feel free to share your experience, thoughts and offer support to one another in the comments, on Twitter with the #DailyGraces or on the Facebook page.
Daily Graces 