I knew I would be a big fan of Cold Stone Creamery just by the way they word their sizes.  No small, medium or large.  At Cold Stone the sizes are measured as “Like It, Love It, or Gotta Have It”.  I like ice cream a lot!  In fact I love it; I don’t care what any nutritionist says I always have and will forever continue to consider it as one of the foods in the food guide pyramid.  That alone makes me gotta have it.

So, ice cream is part of me.  There is one problem the flavor lasts only so long.  Once the treat has been devoured I’m left with nothing, but an empty bowl and dirty spoon.  It was good while it lasted that’s no doubt.  As far as fulfilling any beneficial need for me it does squat.

To get my weekly fix of some type of worthwhile craving I turn to taking time out of my week to spend some quality time alone with our Lord.  One hour, once a week isn’t too much to sacrifice especially from what is gained from the time spent under the presence of Jesus; in all respects it isn’t a sacrifice at all it is a privilege.

Once you start and get it set on your schedule it becomes part of you like drinking eight glasses of water a day.  This precious hour penciled in for Jesus can be done anywhere, but personally for me I gain the most when I take myself out of my home and get to our church.  This adoration hour and what it entails is so astounding.  There is something about stepping into a chapel to do nothing more, nothing less than pray your heart out.

Your phone gets turned off; all those lists of things to do get set aside; nobody comes in to gossip; your mind gets a mental break from work; you aren’t required to multitask; you don’t bring in lunch to scarf down; there’s no fee like a yoga class; no laundry to fold; you aren’t trying to compete by praying harder than any person in the room with you.  It’s strictly time for you and your Lord.  Your breathing becomes naturally relaxed.  You can actually feel peace in the air.  As you meditate and pray and focus your mind on God the Holy Spirit arrives finding a spot to rest in your heart.

Worries – out they come at the foot of the cross you can kneel at.  Sorrows – they are shared with Jesus as His arms stretch out comforting you.  Fears – there are none in His presence.  The hour can be spent praising and adoring our God; confessing our sins to God; thanking God for our life and blessings; asking God for prayers and petitions.  Or we can pray the Rosary, read the Bible, recite prayers from memory or pen our own unique prayers.  We can remain silent letting Jesus come to us by listening with an open heart.

Saint Peter of Alcantara tells us “Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament has His hands full of graces, and He is ready to bestow them on anyone who asks for them.”  It is one hour; once a week; one more way to get closer and deeper with the One who gives life and loves unconditionally.

I like to think I can spare one hour out of my week for something so very important.  I love God enough to allow this to happen in my life.

I need my weekly fix; ice cream is favorable but just doesn’t get it.

I’ve gotta have my hour with Him.  How about you?