I noticed you today, Lord. Thank you.

I noticed you today, Lord.  Thank you.

“I noticed you today, Lord.  Thank you.”  These are the words of the Rt. Rev. Duncan Gray, Bishop of the Diocese of Mississippi in his “Reflections from the Road” piece in the May edition of The Mississippi Episcopalian.  I was struck by Bishop Gray’s words, “I noticed you today.”  In my own life, there have been many days when I didn’t even notice God.  Isn’t that sad, there are whole days when I don’t even notice God.  That seems impossible when I look around and marvel in the beauty that surrounds me.  The lush richness of the Tennessee mountains, the pure joy of watching Owen’s excitement to go on a walk, watching my friend Mary Catherine commit herself to God and the Church as a deacon.

As I am settling into life in Tennessee for the summer, I am paying close attention to God and trying to at least notice Him everyday.  I am thankful to be home with my parents and one of my brothers.  It is nice just to be with them.  I am looking forward to serving as chaplain at the VA Hospital here in Murfreesboro this summer.  I am also looking forward to many weekend trips to the Holy Mountain, hopefully a trip or two to Birmingham and of course General Convention in Indianapolis.

The major goal I have for the summer, outside of learning all that I can during CPE, is to establish a spiritual discipline.  In the spiritual formation class that I took last fall, we discussed many different types of practices.  This summer, my goal is to find the right fit for me and to put that practice into place.  Spiritual disciplines can help us release anxiety and stress, focus on specific prayer request for others, and ourselves, and simply rest with God.  I believe that this is essential for me to be able to help others, but most importantly enrich my relationship with God.

The first year of seminary is behind me, the challenge of CPE and the rest of my seminary days are before me.  Thank you all for continuing to support my calling to the priesthood.  With God’s help, I can actually see this dream becoming reality.  Thanks be to God that I notice Him today.

Blessings as the ride continues…

Mary Balfour