Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr
Are my tears not stored in your vial? (Psalm 56:9)
In a popular joke, a husband explains his secret for dividing up responsibilities with his wife: “I let her make all the little decisions: where we live, how much we spend, how we educate our children. She leaves all the big decisions to me: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, global warming, the national debt.”
It’s a joke because, of course, husbands and wives need to make those vital “little” decisions together, and one individual has very little influence on the “big” issues. But it’s important to be clear about which responsibilities belong to God and which ones he’s delegated to us.
Sometimes we waste time and energy on things that aren’t our concern or don’t lie within our power. Once we have selected a caterer for a party and have given him a final head count, why worry whether we will run out of food? Why fret about tomorrow’s weather instead of making a back-up plan and getting some sleep?
Today’s Responsorial Psalm gives us an example. We can spend a lot of time keeping track of our tears and grievances. We want to make sure God—and everyone else—knows how much we’ve suffered. But the psalmist gently reminds us that it’s God’s job to keep track of the injustices against us. It’s our job to trust that he will carry forward his good plan in his time.
So when fears and anxieties crop up, place them in your Father’s capable hands. Ask him if there is anything you can do to improve your situation. If something comes to mind, do it, and leave the results to God. And if you tend to worry about things you can’t control, try humorously handing them over to God:
“Whoops! I forgot that I’m not in charge of the weather. Lord, that’s your department. You know how important this picnic is to me. Still, I’ll praise you for your wisdom and welcome you to be with us even if it rains.”
“Did I just try to make my grown-up son want to go to Mass? Again? That’s between him and you, Lord. Thank you for the ways I’ve seen you work in his life so far. I know that every family takes its name from you, Father, so I’ll trust you.”
“O God, help me remember who is in charge. Lord, I trust in you!”
1 Samuel 18:6-9; 19:1-7; Mark 3:7-12
Daily Marriage Tip for January 23, 2014:
“Where you put your time, you put your life.” (Clayton Barbeau) What are your deepest values? Does the way you spend your time reflect these? If not, why not? Take charge.