When I was a little girl, my mother spoke out sharply against the secular use of the word “adorable.” Her thought was that only God is adorable—not kitties, or puppies, or even babies.
My mother is opinionated. I don’t know who or what inspired this strong sentiment in her—obviously she was being very literal—but she repeated it often enough that I don’t use the word ever except in reference to Jesus.
And even then, I don’t feel I get it.
I go to the Adoration Chapel once a week, every Sunday morning from 4:00 to 5:00. I have been making this “Holy Hour” every Sunday (trips to North Dakota and Hawaii notwithstanding) for six years in a row now.
Do I adore Our Lord? I try to. (Most times I just yak at Him; and often I complain.) He is really there; I believe that. But this belief lies in my faith and not my line of vision. How I ache to see Him clearly!
He can be shy, though, this God of ours. Sure, He reveals Himself in the beauty of birdsong and the mysteries of the sea and such….but we have to be Johnny on the spot to acknowledge this. The world is noisy. We forget.
My time spent in adoration is helping, slowly…. but surely. Given my self-absorbed and highly distractible nature, I need this once-weekly realignment. I’m like my husband reaching up to adjust his eye glasses; only in my case, it’s my spiritual vision that’s being corrected.
“I, John, looked and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.’ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: ‘To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.’” (Revelation 5:11-14)
For all my squinting here below, one day—I pray—I’ll see Him. And I just know I’ll know how to adore Him!
Will there be puppies there, though? We’ll see.
(I think there will be.)
Please don’t forget to keep praying for the people of Mexico. How horrible it would be to have the scourge of abortion fall upon them! I have included a prayer to St. Gerard in my sidebar for this intention.
I really understand your temperment because we are so much alike, I feel. I miss my weekly Holy Hour because I, too, felt it put my vision back in perspective. But even though you may feel you are not “adoring” Him in the way He deserves, you are there nonetheless, and that, I’m sure, means so much to His lonely heart. When I get discrated during my Holy Hour, or feeling I’m “yaking” at Him (I love that word ‘yak’ because that’s exactly what it is…lol!), I often feel a small voice in my heart say, “I’m so glad you are here, spending time with Me”. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m sure to Him, your yaking is adorable..pardon the pun..:-)
I catch myself sometimes saying that word or others (awesome, for instance) and think back to your mother’s sentiments. Only, I didn’t know your mother and this is the first time I’m hearing that story. So I guess what I’m saying is that I feel the same way, although I am not nearly concious enough of my own words (how sinful!) to recognize when I’m doing it. And on the rare occassion that I do, I’m not sure WHAT to say.
Adoration is awesome1 i often use a little meditation..like Holy Hours with Jesus..or another spiritual reading. i used to do all-night vigils..but don’t have the health for it now…
God bless
Margaret, Have you ever drawn in Adoration? I know you have great artistic talent. I can only imagine the works that Adoration could inspire. Some journal while they pray, maybe you could offer Him glory with art? What might He say to you?
I agree with Jen. He is glad you are there, whether you yak or complain or daydream or fall asleep..He’s looking at you, you are looking at Him, you are in His Presence–that’s what matters. As long as your heart is open to Him, you are being transformed in ways you don’t even realize.
A wonderful priest once encouraged me to make adoration a habit. He said that we become like those we surround ourselves with, our friends, family members, etc. Therefore the more time we spend with Jesus the more we will become like Him.
I loved his reason, and your post is just as inspiring!