My elders make me look forward to being a child again. How is that possible? Their wisdom confounds me and brings me full circle to the simplicity of the spiritual life: being a child of the Father.

I recently attended a Regnum Christi Morning of Reflection led by Alice Tocco, long-time Regnum Christi member, mother, and grandmother, who shared her personal experience of discovering the Father’s love. She is also the leader of our infamous local Grandmother’s club that energetically forms hearts to pray for and evangelize their grandchildren, because no age is excluded from being a disciple!

As she led us through a guided meditation, I experienced the call to cultivate the heart of a spiritual child. Grandiose things done for the Kingdom begin in the heart of one who marvels that all is a gift of the Father’s love. The measure of our love is the heart-felt response. Perhaps, what most pleases him is the response that comes spontaneously and unplanned: a smile back.

I share an excerpt from her reflection:

Picture the Father.

He is all loving, caring, concerned, a guider, completely selfless, magnanimous and unbelievably generous. He gave his only begotten Son for you. He is never outdone in generosity.

Think about him. Feel his hug.

He says you are never alone. He says, “I will be with you until the end of time.”

See the love in his eyes. See his concern for you in the lines of his face.

Feel his strength. You feel safe and at peace. You let the walls fall and release all anxiety & tension. With his arms he absorbs them. They flow right out of your arms into him. He strokes your hair and tears of relief, peace and joy overwhelm you. YES, you are my Abba Daddy.

He says, “I love you, my child.” You say, “I love you, Daddy.” His voice is sweet.

You are called, chosen and sent into a deeper intimacy with him and he smiles. No, it’s not a big grin. It’s an understanding beam.

He smiles with every gorgeous, fall, moonlit night. He smiles with the zillions of stars strewn across the sky. He smiles with the yellow warmth of the sun and sunsets glowing with orange and pink. He smiles with each leaf turning red this fall and every squirrel scampering across the road clinging tightly to an acorn. He smiles when the wind blows ripples across the waters of our lakes.

He smiles in the lines of loving concern on your husband’s face, and he smiles in the laughter of your kids and grandchildren. He smiles through every prayer lovingly prayed for another soul. He smiles every time he heals a soul from pain through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He smiles through his Son’s victory on the cross. He smiles on you every morning, and he smiles on you when you win and when you lose.

YES, HE SMILES… HIS EVERY SMILE IS AN “I LOVE YOU.”

SMILE BACK

 Your Friend in Christ,

Jennifer Ristine

Jennifer is a Consecrated Woman of Regnum Christi dedicated to spiritual and faith formation through teaching, conferences, writing, and spiritual direction. She served in Ancient Magdala and authored Mary Magdalene: Insights from Ancient Magdala, Nine Days with Mary Magdalene, and Becoming Magdalene, a historical fiction novel.