Introduction
Now is the Acceptable Time
Reflection By: Anonymous

God pulled me into one of the best moves I've made over the past 3 years. I signed up for the women's retreat. Christ Renews His Parish, CRHP. Of course, I didn't sign up right away. I looked at it in the bulletin, Sunday after Sunday. I kept reading about it, but I didn't sign up to actually go through with it. until finally, one day, one a lark, I made a phone call to sign up. "The retreat is full," I was told. "You're on a waiting list, but don't count on being called this year. There are others ahead of you on the waiting list, and the retreat is too popular." God had tugged at my heart, and I had been too slow to respond. My heart sank at the result of my procrastination. I was angry with myself.

I remember thinking, "If you really want me there, God, work it out for me."

He did. I got a call a few days before the retreat, telling me that I was in. I was told when to show up and where. Dutifully reporting for the retreat, I was stunned to learn the retreat was not just one day, but two days. "What are you thinking, God? I cannot possibly spare 2 whole days. I am a single mother of two boys. I need that time to work, to shop, to do laundry. You how I struggle, Lord." But since I was there through His intervention, I felt obligated to be obedient and to see the retreat through.

Only God could have known how badly I needed the fruits that were born of that retreat. Only God knew just the right way to get me to that retreat. God gave me what I needed, when I needed it.

Now is the acceptable time. Begin your Lenten journey through Habits of the Soul and look for the fruits along the way.