By: Sister Timothy Marie, O.C.D.
Each person’s life seems to have a unique theme; at least it seems so to me. This year as we enter the new year before us, I find myself thinking about the patterns in my life, an overarching theme running through its ups and downs. And if so, what exactly is it? I find it both exciting and motivating for me to think about this, and I have the inspiration to share it. So here it is. An over-arching theme? The theme of light and shadow has always fascinated me. In art. In music. In just about everything. Yes, that would be it: light and darkness.
In the various aspects of life, especially the spiritual, nothing is more peaceful, more centering, more calming to me than to quietly sit in the darkness before dawn and watch the sunrise peek out from the horizon. Dawn’s gentle light dissipates the darkness so quietly that morning breaks through once again with soft light and ever-changing tones before we even realize it. Or in the evening, and especially while at the ocean, to watch the sun disappear below the horizon, replete with the humble grandeur that quietly accompanies its setting. Oh, how I love sunrise and sunset.
Together with this theme, is another – one that I also love, perhaps even more. It is the theme of new beginnings, turning the page, reading a new chapter, moving forward and making changes. It is such a liberating, Godly theme, charged with the creative energy of God. I have always liked to say, “It’s time to make a fresh start.”
When I celebrated my 60th anniversary as a Carmelite Sister, I was asked to choose a quotation for my remembrance card, and right away I knew what it would be. “God’s mercies are new every morning.” It is breathtakingly beautiful in its message.
Each morning is and should be a fresh start. How much more is the beginning of a new year. As I write this, an idea came to me to add a new line to my favorite hymn, “Morning Has Broken.” Here it is.
Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world
Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from Heaven
Like the first dewfall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
I praise God for my fresh start…beginning today.
Happy and blessed New Year and I invite you to think about the themes of your life. Wonderful fresh starts to you today and always!
