The Pursuit of God Through Holy Habits
Our daily routines are produced by habits. Our habits mold us whether we realize it or not. For this reason, as believers we should be more aware of what encompasses our daily practices. Several weeks ago, I received a message from a friend with whom I had reconnected after many years. We connected through social media. She reached out with a message that read: “Sorry to bother you, would it be ok if I got your number? I am closing my social media for a while because I really want to focus on God and my pregnancy. Sometimes social media has a negative tone, it can be distracting and sad sometimes. I just want to protect this precious time.” I was incredibly happy to hear she was doing this! She realized she needed to change something in her life to improve for the better and grow intimately closer with God.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are continually undergoing sanctification; therefore, our practices should shape us to be more like him, more God-honoring and less self-fulfilling. This is easier said than done when our sinful flesh desires other things or veers off when something captures our attention. Though we may have a desire to be like Jesus, our sinfulness and selfishness can get in our way. For this reason, it is important that we keep our daily connection with the Holy Spirit through prayer, reflection, and constant worship.
Like most people these days, I have found myself scrolling my time away and loosing focus on what really matters to me as a Christian. Like my friend, I have realized that time is precious. I have taken diligent care of that time which has enabled me to be more present for my children, husband, and friends. I now start my days with morning prayer and reflection. I often try to read the Gospel and pray the rosary with my children. I try to journal and visit the Blessed Sacrament as often as I can. I have found that these habits I have adopted have formed my daily mood and helped me carry out my day in a more peaceful manner, despite the hectic routine of being a mom of four children! Life is so busy at times, I think to myself, “How else could I make it through my days without the hand of the Lord guiding me?”
As I have learned to disconnect from earthly things, I have developed a stronger connection with heavenly things! What about you? How do you start your day? Are you growing closer to God through your daily habits, or do you find yourself moving father away from him? Galatians 5:16 says, “I say, then, walk by the spirit and you will certainly carry out the desire of the flesh.” The Spirit aids us in our sanctification so we can pursue holiness, helps us with our self-control and gives us the power to fight against unholy habits!
Forming holy habits takes time, patience, perseverance, and sacrifice. When we take time to reflect on our daily rhythms, we become aware of our daily practices and learn what does us good and what pulls us away from God. We must examine our habits and change those that are toxic, keeping in mind that our habits must spur us on in holiness. That is what sanctification is about. When we live our daily lives seeking to walk in holiness and being open to spiritual formation, we grow in sanctification! Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and trust in his grace, especially in times of failure, always aiming to find the right path!
Leiri Bocanegra was born in Villalba, Puerto Rico but now resides in Massachusetts with her Husband and four children. Leiri and her husband Gustavo met in their parish youth group, “Agape,” and have been serving together ever since! You can usually find them singing together at church events and retreats! Leiri works as the Coordinator of Outreach and Evangelization for St. Mary’s Parish in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She also has a nursing background in both Geriatrics and Pediatrics. She has been a member of the Holy Family Institute for six years and enjoys Family Ministry. Her biggest accomplishment has been becoming a mother. She enjoys being able to use social platforms to help other Catholic mothers connect and assist one another through the wonderful vocation of motherhood!