Today I rescheduled my Tai Chi class to be able to go to a BNI meeting in Dunkirk / Fredonia. Half-asleep at the wheel and in the dark, I used the EZ-Pass lane by mistake and now have to wait for a violation notice to resolve it. However, it was a good meeting and I got to stop at St. Hedwig’s Cemetery as well as drive by a few nostalgic spots. I even had pleasant conversations with the grounds-keeper and an engineer hired by the city to evaluate the sea wall near Wright Park.
Then I went to the “Red Mass” as an associate of the WNYPA. I had never been to one before, and it was a simple mass with the Bishop and many other celebrants including Msgr. Slubecky. It was a shorter mass than expected, but I’m glad I was nearly a half hour “early” as it started at Noon instead of the 12:30 notice I received.
The annoying thing is that I was going to save a couple bucks by parking far away (a $3 lot), then decided to put $2 in a meter (2 hours worth), somewhat equally far away. On the way walking, I checked the time and realized that if the mass was long I would risk getting a ticket, again based on my thinking mass was half past. Sensing it was one of those days, I wrote off the 8 quarters (which I could have used I’m sure) and went to the cheap lot anyway. In retrospect, I could have parked at the Cathedral for about the same total cost.
At first I thought it was God’s way of telling me I needed exercise, but then realized it was more the Spirit’s way of reminding me that I’m not in control of life and shouldn’t pretend otherwise. Why else would I be smacked around so much trying to assert my best judgment onto the universe around me? I’m currently doing a Novena and that is always a lesson that comes up … it’s hard for me to let go and let God, so to speak. I depend on planning and intellect and leave God’s influence out of my plan without realizing it, then get frustrated with things are clearly out of my control even when I should know better.