Family Spirituality

How to spot the Holy Spirit

The official focus of this year’s preparation for the millennium is to become aware of the work of the Holy Spirit in the world. Have you noticed the Holy Spirit at work in your life? Here’s a quick rundown of how the gifts of the Holy Spirit may be present in your life:

• Have you intuitively known how to handle a tough situation in your family? That’s wisdom.

• Have you stopped yourself from getting angry at your child long enough to think what it feels like to be in his or her shoes? That’s understanding.

• Have you clearly and firmly stated your beliefs about right and wrong to someone in your family? That’s counsel.

• Have you hung in there when you wanted to throw in the towel? That’s fortitude. • Are you open-minded, letting go of superstitions, prejudices, and small mindedness? That’s the gift of knowledge.

• Do you realize you need God’s help and that all of life is a gift? That’s piety.

• Have you felt awe, perhaps the day you first held your baby in your arms? That’s fear of the Lord.

These are the gifts of the Holy Spirit, signs that God’s love is flowing through your life. The gifts are yours–look for them. TJM