I want you to imagine that you are on a beach laying on a bright beach towel soaking in the “sun” of God’s love.  After spending some time appreciating the light, you stand up and you lean over to pick up the bright beach towel out of the sand.  The towel is covered with sand, and you begin to shake the towel hoping that you will be able to shake the sand from the towel in order to fold it and return it to your beach bag.

Imagine, that the towel was your life, and the sand represented all of the pieces of your life– the various roles you have, the numerous jobs and activities in your life, all of the people and relationships in your life, all of the things you do, watch, see, participate in.  As you shake the towel, ask yourself, “What pieces of sand do you want to cling to your towel?” and “What pieces do you hope would fly off??” 

If God were shaking your towel, what pieces of your life would God want to continue to stick to your towel or remain in your life?  What pieces would God hope would fling off?

As you reflect on this, ask yourself one more question:  What, if anything, would you and/or God want to add to your life?

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.