So last week when I was just sorta worrisomely sick, my GP scheduled an echo for tomorrow, the 14th. Thank you snow and ice, I’m glad we’ve still got that on the calendar, because all attempts to move it up have been thwarted.
Which means you, dear readers, have a chance to get on the Annoying Things Novena that some of my friends started 8 days ago. The nice thing about this particular novena is that you can do it at the last minute, because what good is a spirituality that has no room for procrastinators?
How the Annoying Things Novena works: When something annoying happens, you offer it up for your intention. (Such as: my annoying thing.)
The nine-day version is perfect for people who plan ahead, and who can count on at least one annoyance a day. But look, there’s another version for you who haven’t yet gotten in on the fun: Between now and midday tomorrow, I bet nine annoying things happen to most of y’all. They don’t even have to be very very annoying. You’re allowed to count things that would be annoying to lesser men, but no longer bother you, spiritually advanced as you are. Or just used to it.
Super bonus: If nine annoying things don’t happen in time, you take that as your sign that our Lord wants you to extend the novena just a little bit longer.
Additional reasons this is a great novena:
- If you forget to offer up your annoyance at the time it happens, you can just offer it up later, when you remember.
- If you fail miserably at enduring your annoyance graciously, you just toss in the sorry state of your temperament as a supplemental annoyance. (But it doesn’t count as two. Your sorry self is just part of that one-annoying-thing package.)
Final Note: It is not necessary to wrack up additional annoyances. There have been reports of people participating in this novena promptly having a Very Bad Day. Do not do this. Just have a regular day.
***
Far be it from me to discourage you from praying additional prayers, but this is one that’s particularly suited to the overwhelmed and already-prayed-out circles in which I tend to travel. Thank you very much to everyone who’s been praying, and thank you to those of you joining in now.