So we’re
coming into Christmas and the end of the year and I finally have a little time
to slow down today, which is needed.
It’s been a full-on
year filled with teaching Pilates, plus going for classes myself. Keeping fit
in this season of life is just so essential to maintaining energy. I haven’t always
succeeded, but I’d like to think that all my personal struggles have made me a
better teacher. It’s a win I’ll take.
Spouse, grandkids,
mother, siblings, children, friends, community – so many intersecting and also disparate
circles to tend to - I can honestly say I couldn’t have accomplished a single
thing if I hadn’t remained true to wasting time with Jesus every day, be it in prayer
and through weekday mass.
As my SD
pointed out recently, we touch Jesus either through the Eucharist, or our
neighbour. The path to holiness is really how we touch Christ through others, which
we are wont to do when we are ourselves are transformed by His Eucharistic
touch on our tongues, and intentionally in our hearts.
Every day, I
have to choose whether I want to touch Him, to let Him lead me in doing His
will, be it in the vertical or horizontal axis of my faith.
At last
Sunday’s mass, Father Rusdi exhorted us to choose faith, not fear. And I immediately
thought how right he was. My knee-jerk reaction in life is to distrust, to be
suspicious, to envy, to let FOMO rule my actions, especially when things don’t go
the way I think they should. The irrational What if there isn’t enough for me? Gives
rise to ungracious and uncharitable thoughts. It is a constant struggle processing
this fear of scarcity I learnt as a child and to allow the truth of God’s
abundance bring me to gratitude and generosity.
If I have
learned anything in this year, it is this: God is faithful, deeply caring, and
generous in every aspect of my existence. He gives and never stops giving. He
even gives me things I did not seek but somehow needed. That is truly the
goodness of God that I can testify to in these last months.
I have
received so many consolations, grace upon grace that I am immeasurably thankful
for and I feel very loved.
The best way
to thank Him is to keep on believing, keep on going when the going seems tough,
and to keep on shining His light in this world of darkness. It doesn’t mean
there will not be loss, chaos, sorrow, disappointment and disruption, but to persevere
in faith; be open and humble and let God lead every step of the way.
As I know that faith itself is a gift, this is the git I seek not just this Christmas, but for 2026 and beyond.
