Still in love

Today is the ninth anniversary of my perpetual profession of vows: nine years since that baking hot day in Rome when I, along with my probation sisters, pledged my life "forever" to the God whose heart is infinite Love. Inevitably, as with any anniversary, I'm doing a lot of looking back, recalling the pure, God-given joy of that day, and the love and support which surrounded us. As the photo shows, I was literally glowing!

I'm also looking back over nine years of ups and downs, joys and sorrows; of changes, discoveries and friendships mingled with disappointments and losses; of people and places, events and experiences. So much for which to give thanks, and so much to place in God's Heart for safekeeping. This is the great ongoing adventure, all contributing to the woman I am now.

And as I pledge myself to continuing the adventure, I am aware that the God-given joy is still deep within me, though tempered by the experiences of these past nine years. I'm no longer glowing, but I'm still in love. And I want to stay in love, with all its consequences, and all its opportunities for loving more, with greater depth and passion. Which is why, today, I'm praying with these words, which sum up what this adventure is all about.

Nothing is more practical than
finding God, than
falling in Love
in a quite absolute, final way.
What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.
It will decide
what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read, whom you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in Love, stay in love,
and it will decide everything.         

Pedro Arrupe SJ (1907-1991)