Laity and Work

"To the laity:

There is no vocation more religious than work.  A Catholic layman or laywoman is someone who takes work seriously.  Only Christianity has given a religious meaning to work and recognizes the spiritual value of technological progress.

Your institution has as its aim the sanctification of one's life, while remaining in the world at one's place of work and profession: to live the Gospel in the world, while living immersed in the world, but in order to transform it and to redeem it with one's personal love for Christ. This is truly a great ideal."

I found this quote in the midst of transferring over pages and articles from an old diocesan website to a new website.  On the vocation page, this quote was of many from Pope John Paul II. I don't know that this post will tie well into that quote, but it has been on my mind most of today. 

Today I was extra tired from arising for an early morning event (5 am ladies Bible study), and thus more easily discouraged by little things throughout the day.  My melancholic temperament very often relies on the graces and perspective of a Seven Sorrows rosary; just a reminder that my sorrows are minimal compared to all Christ suffered for our salvation.  

The devil picked on me today.  Not that he doesn't most days, but I was particularly susceptible to his temptations this second Thursday of December.  And I didn't realize it til I was leaving work.  I could not stay on task.  With just over an hour left in the work day, my boss asked me,  "Klenda, how much did you work for me today?" half joking, but half serious.  Since I split my time in two departments he was kind of accusing me of spending my time in the wrong department.  However, that was not the case.  I could not focus well today at all. One conversation discouraged me around mid-morning and it was kind of down hill from there. (God's teaching me the emotional maturity to not have to rely on others to help cheer me up, but an acceptance of what is and a greater self-mastery.)  I could not get myself out of this funk.  

I can diagnose that sometimes I become too focused on the detail and forget the big picture. I can also recognize that a lack of results or fruit from my work is also very discouraging.  This is where the devil can get me down and beat me to stay down.  Now, how to overcome?  Of my own accord, I am not be able to.  I may need to accept the suffering of days like today and grunt on through the work I am called to do, allowing it to sanctify me and loving Christ in the midst of it. 

As I began my drive home this evening, I started my rosary for my every week Thursday intention. Grace showed me the recipients of my intention were in need of the merits earned from my struggles today. I don't know how exactly they were applied, or if I will ever. I trust someone else's day was better today through my struggles. 

I was very tempted to come home to take a nap, foregoing my original plans of a yoga class and a run (the cold discourages me from exercising...), however, if I can offer more graces by a fidelity to regular exercise, then bring it on.  

P.S. St. Therese of Lisieux did her best not to complain of the cold. Can you pray a "Blessed be God" every time you are tempted to wine about how cold you are this winter? 

Awe-spiration, my friends.  Pax vobis.