For the past several weeks, Sundays have been the only days when I can truly rest. The rest of the days of these weeks have been jammed with doctor’s appointments, other responsibilities, and increasingly crushing fatigue. So, I’ve been observing the Sabbath in quiet, moved by the Spirit to pray, read, reflect, and praise more privately. I have felt a little guilty about this, wondering if I wasn’t just being lazy. It wasn’t as if I was having a spiritual crisis, so much as a need to recharge.

So, on two occasions, I decided, “it’s been awhile since I went to Mass. I’m going to go today.”

One of those days took me to a doctor’s appointment in a town next to mine. The local church there was having a noon Mass, so I thought, “Great. I’ll go to my doctor’s appointment and then drive on over to the church.”

Well, drive I did. But there was no parking to be found. None in the jammed church lot, none on the streets, and none in adjacent lots. Nothing. Zippo. Nada.

Apparently, God wanted me to continue on my private observances, in effect, saying, “No. Not yet.”

Or did He?

Last weekend, I decided to try a Saturday evening service at another nearby church. That way, I reasoned, I could spend Sunday quietly.

So, I got all ready and drove forward. Until I got a couple of blocks from the church where I was blocked by imposing sawhorses and a large sign that said: “Street closed.” A fair had taken over the area all around, even directly in front of the church. Not only was there no parking, but there was no passage.

One of these days, I am going to get back to church. For now, I think I get the message. For me, and I’m sure many others, too, especially after a highly stressful time, drinnking up quiet time with God is vital. For how long is not necessarily for us to decide. Sometimes, God says, “No. Not yet. Abide with me. And I will guide you.”

Blessings for the day!

Maureen