April 8, 2026 My brain was everywhere but at adoration. During Lent, many of the parishes in my area offer additional opportunities for people to spend time with Jesus in Eucharistic adoration. I appreciate the opportunities to escape the world for a bit to be present to the Lord. I recently had some unexpected free time while I was near a parish that was offering all-day adoration, so I dropped in to chat with Jesus. As soon as I made the Sign of the Cross, my brain was off to the races. Instead of talking and listening to Jesus, I was thinking about that project I’m working on and struggling with, that dumb thing I said earlier in the day that had me feeling a bit embarrassed, that person I love who is struggling with some heavy burdens right now, that funny story a friend told me… Of the 60-plus minutes I spent there, maybe 10 minutes was spent focused on Jesus. Driving home, I felt bad that I had wasted an opportunity. As I was ruminating on that a bit, my train of thought was derailed when I very clearly heard in my head the phrase, “it’s like macaroni art.” And I somehow knew exactly what that meant. Almost anyone who has children or who works with small children regularly has seen or received the craft projects – jewelry, artwork, something – made of macaroni or some type of noodle. Let’s be honest: these aren’t generally masterpieces, and they generally include at least a few characteristics that would conventionally be considered flaws. There may be a few broken noodles. There may be too much glue. The whole project may be a bit sloppily executed. Despite the deficiencies, such projects often become treasured items. We love them because they show part of the child’s development and because they were made with great intentions and love. I guess my adoration distraction is like macaroni art to God. I can’t even call it an imperfect offering; it’s a deeply flawed and broken offering, sloppily executed. But I showed up, and I at least raced through the things that were distracting me with Jesus near me. God treasures such offerings. He knows this is part of my journey, and my attempts were made with great intentions and love. He loves me regardless of where my brain goes. |
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