Monday 25 May 2009

Finding the beads


I searched high and low for my beloved Rosary beads today. I put my beads in their little pouch in my pocket yesterday and, of course, at the time I questioned whether this was a good idea. It wasn’t. How far can they travel from my pocket? Far enough is the answer.

I love these particular beads and if I can help it I like to say my Rosary on them, I know it shouldn’t make a difference but I can’t help it…I have favourites (You can read about them here Beads of hope for 2009). They continue to help me touch upon the World Church as I pray because they speak of those suffering persecution yet still able to create such beauty for the love of a mother; a mother who draws close to the children who live their lives to glorify a beloved son. They make me aware, when I start to consider how hard I find things sometimes, of the fact that at least I can say my Rosary freely and I feel so lucky to be able to do so.

Thankfully St Anthony came through for me and I found them safely tucked up in their little patch near my bed.

To me (on a good day) the Rosary is like a window and, just for an instant, I feel like the veil between this world and the other falls (or at least thins).  Sometimes that doesn’t happen – I get distracted, look out the window or start thinking about making my next cup of tea – lose the rhythm. However, on the occasions I get it right its like catching a glimpse of something and knowing its real.

I wish I got it right more often than not…I don’t. Even so I am so thankful for this gift of a prayer which always seems to me like fluttering wings.  Saying the Rosary is learning. I feel I can always get better at it – closer, more focused, stronger - and this is the beauty of it. When I was younger we used to say it as a family but saying as an adult is different. It starts to take root in you and becomes an anchor of peace. I am still learning but I would rather face the journeys ahead of me with these beads between my fingers than without them.

I never get bored of the well known statement made by John Paul the great "the Rosary is the rhythm of life". 

6 comments:

Joyful Days said...

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one to lose focus. It is breathtaking when you get close to the line where the two places meet.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

You know I carry a chaplet in my uniform pocket at work and in whatever pocket I have the rest of the time. Often I'm found looking through the dirty laundry as I have forgotten to take it out. The other day I couldn't find it and was distraught. It was a gift from a friend and cherished. I found it in the front seat of the car!!!! Yes, it had fallen our of my pocket there...I understand!!!! Cathy

~Joseph the Worker said...

Your post reminds me of a beautiful renaissance painting of Purgatory where the souls are grabbing onto a rosary and being lifted up into Heaven.

SQUELLY said...

Julie - I am afraid but lack of focus is more common than focus in my case :-) Glad I am not alone.

Cathy - the laundry is always a black hole- the number of near misses I have had there! Thank goodness for St Anthony!

Joseph- thank you !!!!!!!! How beautiful!

Anne said...

An anchor of peace! I love that! How I need that anchor so I don't drift away! Thanks for the great post and the great site, I love it!

SQUELLY said...

Me too! Thank you so much - I am delighted you like it!

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