Finca Novena Part 7 of 10- A Heart Full of Love

This is the sixth of my reflections on the different lines of the finca prayer, a prayer we pray daily here at the farm. To see the idea behind this series of reflections please see this previous blog (http://mkatthefinca.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-finca-prayer-novena-part-1-of-10.html).

"a heart full of love that finds happiness in suffering with others"

Caution, the finca prayer is not masochistic. It does not take pleasure in suffering, nor call us to do so.  This prayer has many parts, and all must be kept in mind while praying it.  

That said, it does call us to aim for a new level of joy.  It calls us to open our hearts so fully to the abundant love around us that even when we feel we are suffering we remain joyful due to the overflowing love that fills our hearts.

This may seem like a Nirvana like state that we will work towards always, never reaching its fulfillment in a world so full of issues, in a country so plagued by injustice.  This is an "adult" take on the intention.  This is the prayer of the farm of the CHILD, not the farm of adults.  Thinking of our children, this seems about spot on.

Watch Cati dance until her soul is content.

Watch Nolvia's face light up as she learns we are ordering Chinese for dinner.

Watch Marina's face as we watch "Twilight" and the way Edward helps renew her belief in love amidst the dramas of high school life.  

Watch Nelly's eyes light up when she gets to talk to her sisters in Mexico on skype.

Watch Arturo sing along to his nighttime ranchero music.

Watch Carlos' face light up as he tells you how his soccer game went.

Watch Rony gaze in awe at his high flying kite on a breezy day.

Here you will find children who have experienced pains beyond their years in joy filled nirvanas, for they are filled with love by these seemingly simple things in such an intense manner that whatever sufferings have passed, and whatever comes in the future no longer matters.  They, for a brief moment, see the grace that is present always with clear unclouded vision.  They allow their hearts to be so filled with love that joy reigns overall that comes their way.

We daily pray that we can also find a way to open our hearts so fully to the love around us, that joy will reign even during the most trying times, recognizing always the wisdom and beauty of our children's hearts.