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Not One and Done

Posted by eph21920 on August 30, 2026 in Answer, Bible, Connected, Faith, Life, Relationship

At Mass today, the sermon was fantastic. It was easy to understand, down to earth, and made sense. The reflection was mostly based on the Gospel, Matthew 16:21-27. Before this story, Jesus’ disciple Peter had witnessed the Transfiguration and heard God say to listen to His Son. He was also appointed as the “Rock” of the Church. Evidently, Peter thought he had it all figured out, so that when Jesus told his Apostles that He was to be arrested and killed, Peter said he wouldn’t let that happen. Jesus in return calls him Satan. The point that the deacon made in his homily was that faith isn’t a one and done type of a deal. There is always more to learn about God. So much so, that we will never comprehend it all. When we begin our relationship with Jesus and accept Him as our leader and Savior, that doesn’t mean we are finished. Like all relationships, ours with God should especially go deeper. The depth of His love and mercy is unfathomable and we will never understand it on this side of Heaven. So we should not short change ourselves. Our faith can and should continue to grow deeper all the time.

I Found God today in a reminder to continue to deepen my relationship with God.

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Generous Stranger

Posted by eph21920 on August 29, 2026 in Answer, Generosity, Stranger

My brother and I have been selling many items online and meeting up with people for the exchange. It has been working out quite well. This morning we met a gentleman who purchased some electronic equipment. He handed me the money which I looked at and put in my pocket. He told us he had an auto shop, which is where he would be using the equipment. After the transaction, we both went our separate ways. Later, I took the money out of my pocket to put it away. As I did so, I discovered that the bills were stuck together. The buyer actually overpaid me. I got in touch with him and told him the situation and asked for the address of his shop so I could mail it back. He replied that I should keep the extra and buy a cold beverage and to keep him in mind when I needed work done on my car. I was surprised at his answer and certainly will keep his business in mind.

I Found God today in a generous stranger.

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The Pianos

Posted by eph21920 on August 28, 2026 in Connected, Happiness, Knowledge, Music, Past

This morning the piano tuner came and tuned both the pianos. We chatted a bit and found it had been 4 years since he was last here. He remembered talking about my dad being in memory care and my mom going over there to play the piano for him. The instrument there was out of tune and it was difficult for my mom to play on it as she couldn’t stand the sound. I passed along his information, but unfortunately the care center never called him. I had forgotten about that. Since we were reminiscing, I showed him the photos I had on the grand piano. One was a black and white picture of my mom playing the old spinet. She was about 20 years old. I explained that it was the first piece of furniture that my parents bought. I also showed him the photo of my mom’s hands playing the organ that my dad and brother built. He was very impressed with that. When he was finished tuning the pianos, he played each of them. Of course, the grand sounded much different from the spinet. I almost cried just hearing them both being played so beautifully. It had been a long time since I heard that. I said I really wanted to just have people come over and play them so I could hear them played like they should be. I suppose hiring pianists to do that is not really feasible. I did enjoy his expertise, talking with him, and most of all listening to his piano playing.

I Found God today listening to the pianos in good working order.

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Bear Antics

Posted by eph21920 on August 27, 2026 in Children, Creation, Laughter

My brother and I went to the zoo today, one of our favorite outings. At the grizzly bear enclosure, we saw one of the large bears lying in a dirt dug out in the shade to stay cool. In front of us was a family with 5 kids viewing the bear through the thick glass. After a bit, the bear got up out of it’s hole and lumbered over to the glass. It stopped right in front of the kids, turned around, and rubbed it’s behind on the glass. I assumed there must have been something that felt scratchy there, as it was in a place where 2 pieces of the clear glass, or plexiglass came together. He rubbed for a few seconds and had everyone laughing. The he stopped and lumbered back to his dirt hole. He left quite an impression on the glass and on the people. As we walked away, one of the little boys said, “That’s the biggest butt I have ever seen!” It was hysterical. That’s why it’s one of our favorite things to do – you never know what you’re going to see.

I saw God today in a funny animal encounter and kids reactions.

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Knowing How To Help

Posted by eph21920 on August 26, 2026 in Answer, Connected, Creation, Family, Grateful, Knowledge

Today I heard from my cousin who has the same name as my mother. My heart always jumps a little when I see the name, but it also makes me smile. She sent me a photo of her orchid. When I visited a couple of months ago, we talked about them and how my mother taught me to care for them. The plant looked very happy and healthy. It had 2 stems on it that had just finished flowering. My cousin asked what to do with them. Luckily, I had just talked with my sister who had advised me of the same thing. I suggested that my cousin should cut the stems all the way down and then continue to water as she was doing. I was happy that I actually had the knowledge to share. And it is always good to hear from my cousin.

I Found God today hearing from my cousin and knowing how to help.

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Simple Joy

Posted by eph21920 on August 25, 2026 in Friends, Joy, Life

As I was reflecting on the day and thinking about the ways I found God today, I kept coming up with very simple things. I spent time helping an elderly couple, cooking and cleaning and doing things that were difficult for them. We talked and prayed together. It wasn’t anything huge, but I enjoyed being able to help them and bringing them joy. In the evening I went to dinner with some friends. I loved being with them, visiting, laughing and sharing meals. Two of them started singing old TV show theme songs. We reminisced about Junior High and High School. Again, nothing really profound. I found joy in simple things today.

I Found God today in simple joy.

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Rolling the Hose

Posted by eph21920 on August 24, 2026 in Friends, Grateful, Struggles

I was out and about today and got home just as a storm was rolling in. My neighbor, who suffers from brain trauma and dementia, was outside his garage with his walker. He was somewhat carrying and dragging his garden hose. I greeted him and a big flash of lightning struck nearby followed by booming thunder. I said it was time to go and he may want to get back into his garage. He said goodbye and started for the yard instead. I asked if he was going in and he said he was via the grassy area. I brought some things into my house and as I talked with my brother, I saw the neighbor outside struggling with the hose. I went out, followed by my brother. We asked if he needed help. He said he did and that he was trying to straighten the hose and coil it up. My brother and I took care of it for him while he headed back to the garage as the lightning and thunder continued. We brought the hose to him and put it away. He then made his way into the house. I remembered that when I talked to his wife the other day, she said her husband was suddenly obsessed with the hose. He was outside trying to take care of it the other day and she had a very hard time getting him back in the house when it started to rain. It seemed like a repeat. I was glad my brother and I saw him outside and got things in order for him.

I Found God today helping a neighbor.

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The Palm of His Hand

Posted by eph21920 on August 23, 2026 in Baby, Connected, Faith, Family, Grateful, Music

At Mass today, there was a family with a baby a couple pews in front of me. I heard that familiar new baby cry and watched the dad cradle his infant. She was pretty young as she was still trying to gain control over her head. But she looked huge compared to my granddaughter. I was sitting with a friend, and when we went to Communion, I told her about the size difference. At that time, the song “On Eagle’s Wings” was being sung. The lyrics, “…hold you in the palm of His hand”, came up. My friend whispered, “Your son can literally hold his daughter in the palm of his hand.” That was such a true statement. After Mass, I showed her some of the pictures of my son holding the baby, very close to being in the palm of his hand. My brother and I were able to go and visit today. My granddaughter was so awake and looking all around. She was also kicking and wiggling. Her feet almost made it to the footies part in the preemie jammies. I loved visiting and seeing her growing. I could fit her head in the palm of my hand and thought of the song. I am so grateful to God that they are all doing well.

I Found God today in a beautiful song to life connection.

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Expert Plant Advise

Posted by eph21920 on August 22, 2026 in Answer, Creation, Family, Grateful

Today as I was watering the plants, I saw a couple of leaves on one of the orchids that were yellowing. I remembered that I noticed them last week and wasn’t quite sure what to do with them. They looked even worse now. I have been caring for the orchids just as my mother taught me to and they have been rewarding me with almost continuous blossoms. I haven’t really had any problems with them at all. Since I don’t know much about the orchids, aside from my current weekly routine, I took a couple of pictures of the plants and sent them to my sister, asking her to call me. After just a minute or two, she called. She told me to go ahead and cut the leaves off and gave me some ideas as to why that might have happened. She gave me advise on one of the other orchids as well. I felt pretty lucky to be able to get expert plant help at a moment’s notice. And I loved just talking with her.

I Found God today in my sister’s expert plant advise.

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Greek Festival

Posted by eph21920 on August 21, 2026 in Connected, Faith, Food, Friends, Fun

I met some friends this evening at a local Greek Orthodox Church. They were having their annual festival. We got some delicious Greek food including Gyros and baklava, and enjoyed perusing the vendor tents. One of them had icons in various sizes for sale, with different saints and holy events depicted. We also went inside the church and were surprised at how small it was. There were only about 20 small pews in total. Icons adorned the walls – there were more of the works of art than there were places for people to sit. One of the priests was there and one of my friends started asking questions. He gave us an overview as to how the Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Church became divided. At the beginning of Christianity, there were 5 major locations where the church was thriving. Each had their own bishop. The 5 bishops would meet regularly to discuss and agree upon matters of faith. Basically, the Catholic Church gave all authority to the bishop of Rome – the Pope. So, while the Greek Orthodox and Catholic faith are very close in their beliefs, the Greek Orthodox maintains their own head of the church and doesn’t recognize the Pope as having all the power. It was interesting to listen to him and wonder if these churches who are so close in faith would reunite. My friends and I had a good time eating, enjoying each others company, seeing the beautiful icons, and learning about the Greek Orthodox Church.

I Found God today learning more about the history of the Church.

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