By Alyssa Bormes
Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. ~2 Corinthians 12:6-7
My whole bag was packed – swimsuit, kickboard, towel, and the assorted other stuff for the gym. This new commitment to working out was great. With bag in hand and ready to go, I realized that I had forgotten one thing—the padlock for the locker. After going through drawers and containers, it appeared to be lost. If you find it, the combination is 36-4-10; go ahead and use it. On that day of nearly swimming, I did have the idea that I could stop by the hardware store on the way to the pool and purchase a lock. However, I had a better idea! How about a bath? Cool – with bath-bomb in hand and a good book – I successfully avoided exercise! Then on Sunday, I was in the confessional. No, I did not confess the missed swim day, which is more like odd-water-walking-kickboard-clumsiness. But I did confess a habitual sin—the thorn in my side.
Without asking, Father knew that I had been neglecting my daily rosary. I was to begin it again that day. I did, but the clumsy-swimming-avoidance-thing and the lack of attention to the rosary kept itching in my head. The “Aha”’ moment: I had neglected something else. I used to do the swim-walk-you-can’t-be-serious-that-you-call-that-exercise-at-least-I’m-moving-thing for an hour at a time. It isn’t exactly easy to keep yourself in the pool moving in your lane for that long without being wildly bored, so I would pray the rosary. Thirty minutes was one rosary, sixty minutes was two.
You guessed it; I’ve got a new combination lock, and I’m back in the pool praying the rosary. Every other day of the week, while in my pink-flowered swimsuit, I have an aquatic holy hour. Although it might be funny looking…the combination is good!
Prayer
Father, help me maintain a regular ”prayer time” schedule; this is as important as taking my daily vitamins. Amen.
Call to Action
Separate yourselves from the distraction of screens and use that time to go walking, swimming, biking, etc. Pray during your exercise for the Lord to help you balance your spirit, mind, and body!
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there are some things that’ve come out of the covid restrictions…..I walk, ride bike, and say the rosary (started as a way to keep me sane)….pretty much every day about 45min-1hr and, then at night I say a rosary with really calming music/singing before going to sleep (sometimes I fall asleep during saying it but I’ve heard that’s not so bad). I found both these rosaries online and I also found St Micheal chaplet and a couple Devine Mercy chaplets. I like doing these along with the online people. This is more prayer time than ever before in my life. I have move peace than ever before in my life. God works in strange ways and has an odd sense of humor and He is so amazing.
Beautiful Cindy – God does work in strange ways and He has a marvelous sense of humor!
So good! Can’t wait to get my bundle!
Wait until you see how beautiful it all is! What a joy!
This brightened my day. As Catherine of Siena said, “When you’re down get up and do.”
Thank you! I should be in the pool today – and I have a new suit on the way – polka-dots! Jesus loves the prayers from an old gal in a polka-dotted swimsuit too!
Beautiful!
Ruth – you are the best – thank you for your comment!
God’s sense of humor is clearly displayed powerfully and giggly (is that a word lol, it is now) in our WINE friend Alyssa!! <3
This is just ONE of many amazing contributions from Alyssa in Called By Name!!