How Do You like Your Eggs?

In the movie "Runaway Bride", the central character repeatedly became engaged and then always left each fiance on the wedding day. A reporter, who interviewed each of the men she left at the alter, always asked, "How does she like her eggs?" Ironically, each man gave a different answer: "Scrambled", "poached", "over easy" etc, but then added, "Just like mine." The bride was surprised when the reporter told her their answers, and yet realized that she had always adapted her life to those to whom she was supposed to be in love with. At the end of the movie , she blurted out how she really liked her eggs finally understanding that to give herself to someone meant that she ultimately had to know and respect who she was. She subsequently married the reporter who respected her for who she was, not for whom he wanted her to be.

I am finally starting to realize, like the central character in the movie, that I cannot fully give myself to God until I fully accept who I am. I was fashioned by God's hand and should never deny my uniqueness. My uniqueness is what God fashioned, it is what He wants.

Is our parish family known for using their unique gifts? Or are we known for always waiting to act on the basis of the likes and dislikes of our rotating pastors? I feel that our pastor wants us, expects us, to grow on the basis of our gifts, not the expectations of the Diocese. I do not think that he cares if we like the things he likes. I think he does care if we know that "Our loving God is with us!" If we understand that, we will know who we are and what we can truly give to our parish.

My New Year's resolution for the upcoming year will be to pray to fully realize what my talents and gifts are and unabashedly use them for the good of others. May The Year of Our Lord 2009, actually be the Year of OUR Lord!