I’m very immersed and happy this Lenten season. I feel my faith is growing more deeply, before my eyes. Two weeks before Ash Wednesday I pondered daily on what I wanted to do - I was looking for something very special, not only to give up something that would be difficult, but to do some things that made me go out of my way for God. I prayed that God would help me figure this out. I went before the Blessed Sacrament one afternoon (I had a vacation day the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, and I was drawn to my Church to do this)…1st time for me and it was such a peaceful, joyous feeling. However, our Chapel hours are 9am-3:30pm and I work 8:30-5:00 Monday-Friday so I haven’t gone out of my way to plan this out. I don’t leave work at lunch, and it’s difficult to be absent from my job and it seems impossible to get there.
The day after Ash Wednesday, I was driving to work, I received a clear vision of what I wanted to do. I just needed to work out the logistics with my job. My vision and desire is to attend Mass every morning (Mon-Fri) through Easter.
So far my manager has let me come in late (in at 9:30am and work until 6:00) and I am so happy. Attending daily Mass and receiving the Holy Eucharist before work has been wonderful. I feel a warmth in my heart, that carries throughout my whole day. The only hurdle right now, is that my manager wants to check with the head Human Resource Director to make sure there is no breaking of the rules, to allow me to do this personal desire through Lent, which means changing my hours, which could raise questions in other employees eyes who might be wondering why my hours are changing (I have no intention of telling anyone why I need to come in late), but it’s sure to raise question in some.
My manager has a conference call at 10:30am tomorrow morning with the Director, and I’m praying she will say yes. Please say a prayer for me, as I would be so thankful to be allowed to fulfill this Lenten desire.
My manager is Catholic and we have talked about our faith a little bit, the past two years we’ve worked together, but he still needs to ask. We are a very large company, and we have to be consistent with everything we do, fair and consistent, so I am a bit worried.
Thank you for your prayers.