Sometimes I feel as though I am traveling through life on a river swept up in the current. This drift might be created by choices which led to circumstances or by unpredictable circumstances that removed choices. For me, it is easy to find Christ in these moments. In the midst of this surge he is my life raft. I hang onto Him as the river carries me where it will.

Other times, I feel the road firmly under my feet. Each step is one I must take with intention. This can be a harder way to travel. Here, I have control over my direction. I know that if I focus too much on a worldly destination I can easily take a wrong turn. I can put the goal in His place and slowly find myself forgetting to rely on His strength. In these seasons, I have found I must intentionally walk with the Lord, speaking to him with each step in each moment.

Lord, where do you need me right now?

Who needs me right now, and how can I help?

How can I keep close to you in this moment and in this task?

I see how you love him, how can I help him to see?

Lord, help me to keep my heart open to those you place before me. Help me listen. Help me understand.

This morning, while praying the joyful mysteries, I wondered how often Mary was asked questions she did not know how to answer. I wonder how she responded. I imagine that she carried on in peace, focused on the task at hand, letting some questions with unknown answers roll off of her. Her heart must have known the important questions that she needed to hold onto and carry to God. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19). I hope that I can follow her lead and give to God the little uncertainties that I am not meant to understand, while leaning on him to discern what, in his Providence, he needs me to see.