During this time, I was struck with how dependant we've become, as a country, on the comforts that are afforded by a modern American home. When the storm hits, curl up on the couch with hot chocolate, next to the fire, and watch a movie. Or a television show. All day. If you don't like what's playing that's ok - change the channel; play on your phone; listen to music. But when the power goes out, suddenly it seems as though the world is ending. There are complaints of boredom, or complaints that the cable company or power company aren't doing their jobs. Instead of taking this extra "forced" quiet time to spend a few more minutes praying, we can often only think of how terrible it is not to be able to use anything electronic or requiring electricity. I realized how easy it is to lose sight of how abundant God's grace is. I decided to get up early, even though I had a snow day from work, just so I could pray and take in the day before the distraction of all-day watching the news about how bad the storm is everywhere. There are so many things to be grateful for in times like these. Even if you have to put up with losing power for a little bit or needing to stay indoors. St. Therese said, "Everything is grace." And I believe that. It's not always easy to see, and I'm not perfect at accepting it, but it's true.
If you're stuck at home, it is a grace that you are there with loved ones who are safe and healthy. If the cable goes out, it is a grace that you now have the time, free of excuses, to spend some quiet time in prayer. If you can't watch a movie, it is a grace that you can spend some time doing spiritual reading, catching up on the chores you always put off, writing a letter, having a good conversation with a loved one, going for a walk in the beauty of an ice covered world, or playing a good, old-fashioned board game with the whole family. If the power goes out and you begin to get cold, it is a grace that you have a roof over your head, that you actually have power that can go out, that you have more layers to put on, candles to burn, blankets to pile up, and in some cases, propane heaters and stoves or fireplaces to heat up at least one room. So many go without even the most basic of what we take for granted. A house. A blanket. A bed.
In these moments of inconvenience, let's not lose sight of the fact that everything is grace. Instead of complaining about the inconvenience of no power or being stuck at home, let's try to focus on the opportunities that God is giving us to grow closer to Him and those around us, and to grow in compassion for those we don't know who go without the conveniences we enjoy everyday.
Written by Catherine
