What a glorious weekend we've had! Here in Minnesota the days were filled with bright sunshine and warm temperatures. The rains we had earlier last week created a lush blanket of green grass that rivals the Irish countryside. With the rain came some colder temperatures that helped hold the blooming flowers….lilacs, irises,columbine, bleeding hearts, jack-in-the-pulpits….to a more realistic calendar. These early spring flowers are now showing their color accompanied by the sweet fragrance of the lily-of-the-valleys that dot the edges of many gardens. It seemed everywhere I looked this weekend, there was a veritable banquet of beauty. 

As this Monday morning begins another work week for many, we can wear the glory of this past weekend like a cloak, a cloak that reminds us of the amazing world of which we are only a tiny part. Always a warranted reminder lest we become too full of ourselves and our place in the cosmos. As I was thinking about that very thing this morning, I read the following words: "May the craft and mastery of my daily work enhance the great weaving of the universe."

Wow! Most mornings I simply stumble out of bed,caffeinate myself, create my to-do list and head into the work day. I rarely think of the work I do as having 'craft' or 'mastery' much less how it might enhance the 'great weaving of the universe.' Perhaps this is not your experience. And yet when I really allow myself to think of the work I do, the work which hopefully uses the gifts I have been given in the best way I know how, why shouldn't I spin that thought out to its greater place in the big story of things? Why shouldn't we all? If we are here at this time and place, living with a certain intention about, not only our work, but our relationships, our values and our footprint in our community, why shouldn't we seek to live our lives as important strands in the great weaving that is our world?

Sometimes I think of those people who have moved in and out of my life leaving an indelible mark. I think of teachers, family members, friends who have said just the right thing at the right time to move me past a deep, dead spot I felt I could not overcome.I give thanks that at some place they understood their part in the big picture. I also think of those people who may have done the exact opposite, bringing a sense of negativity and dismissal to an idea or dream I held dear.I think of the time and energy it took to heal from those wounds. I would pray that I have spent more of my time being the former person than the later in people's lives, don't you?

Perhaps today, Monday, is a good day to take stock of what it is your work is calling you to craft with the mastery only you can muster. On the heels of such an amazing display of Creation as we were given this weekend, we are given the opportunity to recommit to being a part of the marvelous whole, bringing our unique offerings to the weaving of this day. 

Let the weaving begin!