Wishing for a Mulligan (12/01/2023)

Yesterday we began the three-day trek of “Cookie Walk” for our parish Council of Catholic Women. It is our only fundraiser. I feel responsible for how it goes. Last evening, several women and youth gathered to decorate cutout cookies. It was great fun, and everyone did a fantastic job except me. Instead of visiting with others, thanking them for being there, I was on my phone. How I wish I could take a Mulligan and do that over.

It wasn’t what it must have appeared to others. I was on my phone. But I was desperately searching for the parish bulletin to get the info for our sister group’s event the same day as the Cookie Walk. I had promised to put up a poster by the checkout advertising their event. I had two youth ready to make the poster, but then I couldn’t find the announcement on my phone to get the information.

When I finally did find it, I hurriedly copied the info on a sheet of scratch paper and gave it to the two youth so they could make the poster in the time left. I felt bad about everything. I felt bad that instead of walking around and being present to others who were there, I was on my phone. I felt bad that it had taken me so long to find the info and that meant the two making the poster were delayed. I hoped no one else felt bad last night because, honestly, I felt bad enough for the whole village!

Last evening as I told the LORD about my day (which is redundant for the LORD because He was there), I wished for a mulligan. I wished I’d behaved better. I wished I’d written the info down before everyone arrived. I wished I could have made an announcement, so everyone knew I wasn’t texting inane things to my BFFs and that I wasn’t ignoring them. I hoped that I hadn’t offended anyone by my behavior. THUMP. Humility rarely comes through a classroom lesson but rather through life.

Well, I hope I won’t make THAT MISTAKE again. I’ll try to do better about keeping my ducks in a row when I’m responsible for coordinating. But more importantly, the LORD used the situation to remind me of the importance of “being present” to those who are with us, to not be distracted by devices. The LORD reminded me also of His loving mercy.

We are called to be companions to one another. Let us commit to being just that – companions – present to those who are “present.” May we also commit to treasuring those times. Let us remember always Jesus’ words to us in Matthew 25, “Whatever you did to the least of these, you did to me.” May we see the LORD in others and be present always.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.