Weekly Reflection - 2/22/2022
St. Mary's Reflection: Gloria Galindo, Senior Warden
When I first came to St. Mary’s some 12 years ago I was unexpectedly made to feel right at home. I think it was a case of the right place at the right time, and, God taking care of me. Practicing my faith involves taking action. That action for me is getting involved with the church community. Just as I was thinking I wanted to be more involved, Jan Bolles approached me and said, “Would you like to be in Altar Guild?” Without a second thought I said yes, not knowing what or who Altar Guild was but knowing if Jan Bolles was doing the inviting, then I was going to do it. There have been challenges in this ministry, but I see my faith in action and am more aware than ever of God working in my life. Now, as Senior Warden of St. Mary’s, I am excited for more opportunities to work closely with Father David and the leadership members of our community. I believe, and I experience, finding God through working with others.
Lent is upon us. I typically find something to give up during the forty days that we remember Jesus in the desert. The gold standard was chocolate or donuts. But in my search for meaning and spiritual growth, I would give up swearing; no more using the Lord’s name in vain, something that was both more meaningful and challenging. Then I took a very specific action and changed it up: last year I stopped blowing my horn when driving. I acknowledge that this may not seem terribly spiritual, but it was an amazing experience for someone who is type A and always in a hurry. It was as if I had begun meditating, I found an inner peace. I was a calmer, safer driver. I was more thoughtful at four-way stops, and I started looking at drivers and not cars. Then last season Father David preached about not always needing to give something up but to add something to our daily living. I had never thought of that. It was actually exciting to think of how or what I would add. Whether you have decided to give something up or add something, it can be an amazingly thoughtful opportunity for bringing your life more in alignment with God’s will for us.
