Leave a comment

Energetic Dog

Posted by eph21920 on September 8, 2026 in Dog, Family

Today I went over to my son’s house to watch their dog while they took the baby to her doctor’s appointment. The husky was crazy as soon as I got there. She was jumping all around and vocalizing. She knows when I come that we are going out on an adventure, or taking a walk. She could hardly wait. I got my things ready and let her out the back door. From there, she goes to the back gate and waits to get her leash on. She only went a few steps before she turned around and basically told me to hurry up. Once down the stairs of the deck, she did the same thing. It took all the self control she had to sit long enough to get her leash on. Once out the back gate, she was on her way. She has been trained to walk right beside you, but too many different people have been walking her and her training seems to have fallen by the wayside as she was far ahead of me. I had to stop many times so she would realize that she needed to pay more attention to me. And I made her stop at all crosswalks as she was trained to do. It started out as quite a battle. We went for over 2 miles so she could release some of her crazy energy. A little over half way, she finally had reeled herself in and was walking with me. When we got back to the house, she was pretty hot and tired. I gave her a few ice cubes, which she thought were the best thing ever. When my daughter in law got home with the baby, the dog got all excited again. She licked the baby like she was cleaning her puppy until my daughter in law made her stop. She is such a sweet, loving, funny dog, and I really enjoy being with her. She keeps me on my toes, but she really gave me a workout today with her level of energy. Luckily, she walks on the left side. I would not have been able to do it with my withered right hand – which is actually getting much better.

I Found God today working out with an energetic dog.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Withered Hand

Posted by eph21920 on September 7, 2026 in Connected, Healing

The other morning I woke up to a very painful right hand. The joint at the base of my thumb was very swollen and I could barely move it. When I did, it was extremely painful. I took some Tylenol during the day, but it didn’t seem to help. That night I didn’t sleep because it hurt so bad. Yesterday morning I went to church while the pain in my hand just increased. I decided I needed a stronger medication, so I stopped on the way home and got some Aleve, which my doctors have recommended in the past. I don’t like to take it as it upsets my stomach. But desperate times… When I got home, I started taking the Aleve, started icing the swollen part, and hunkered down in the recliner. I was glad I was able to sleep better last night. I woke up to a less swollen hand that didn’t hurt as much. I listened to today’s Gospel reading, which was about the man with the withered right hand. When it came to the part where Jesus tells the man to stretch out his hand, I did, and I prayed. There was no immediate miraculous healing. But, since it is feeling a little better today, I do feel confident that it will heal in a short time now. I thought it was a very funny “coincidence” that the reading and the reflection were so personal for such a random thing.

I Found God today in a specific, personal scripture.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Getting Out

Posted by eph21920 on September 5, 2026 in Connected, Friends, Fun, Grateful, Grief, Healing, Life, Struggles

I met a certain friend several years ago at a grief support group and we discovered that we had much in common. She had been caring for both her parents and both of our fathers had recently passed away. Soon after we met, her mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. We made it to a couple of Parkinson’s support groups together before my mom died. We have stayed in touch since then. Her mother recently passed away and she is now living in the big house by herself. Today I invited her to a social group that I have been going to. It was good to catch up with her, and she found she had things to talk about with several people. We planned on going for a hike with some of the group. When we were driving home, she said she almost cancelled as it would have been easier to stay home, but she fought the temptation. She was glad she came, and so was I.

I Found God today helping a friend get out.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Successful Surgery

Posted by eph21920 on September 4, 2026 in Doctor, Faith, Friends, Grateful, Healing

I was at a friend’s house today and we wondered about another friend who had hip surgery earlier this week. Our prayer group was praying for her and my friend said that she and her husband were praying for her many times during the day. I texted her, hoping to get a response. She did answer quickly and said that the surgery went well and she was staying with her daughter who was being a very good nurse. She said she was already getting around better than she was before the surgery. We were glad to hear that she was doing so well.

I Found God today in a friend recovering from surgery.

Permalink
Leave a comment

New Adventures

Posted by eph21920 on September 3, 2026 in Begin, Dog, Family, Friends, Grateful, New, Travel

After being together for a couple of months, my brother started off on his new adventure this morning. His dog was super excited to get on the road again. I had been worried about her as she is getting older and struggling to get around and had some stomach problems. When she has issues now, it takes her some time to recover. But today she looked like her younger self. She was full of energy and excited for my brother to put her in the truck and harness her in. It was strange saying goodbye to them this time, as I don’t know when the next time I will seem them will be. My brother has come back here every summer for years. When my parents were alive, he helped care for them. He had been staying at the cabin and helping to maintain it. Now that the cabin is sold, he is excited to explore other areas of the country. We were very busy while he was here and we got a lot accomplished. We both agreed that it will be nice to have the estate settled, so that when we do get together again, we can just enjoy.

I also had a new adventure today. An elderly friend of mine has been wanting to get her hair cut. I was glad that my hairdresser was able to get her in. I got my friend and her walker in the car and took her to the place. It all seemed very familiar. The hairdresser was very sweet to her and at the end of it all, she gave her the style that she wanted. My friend was elated. We made our way back to her house. Her husband opened the garage door and got the electronic lift ready for us. My friend was a little slower and tired from the outing. When we got settled back in the house, I congratulated us on safely and happily experiencing our big adventure.

I Found God today in new adventures.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Clear and Confident

Posted by eph21920 on September 2, 2026 in Faith, Knowledge, Prayer, Youth

I spent some time at the Newman Center today and visited with people after Mass. While I was there a Campus Police officer came in and chatted with the facilities manager. As I was talking with one of the students, the officer came over to the information table next to us and was looking at the rosaries. The student went into his leadership role and told the officer that he could have anything on the table, it was all freebies. The officer said that he was interested in the rosaries and the student told him all about what a rosary is, and the prayers that go with it. He encouraged him to take one. I was so impressed with the student. Not only was he not intimidated by the police officer, he spoke very clearly and confidently about his faith. I was grateful to be there.

I Found God today in a faithful young man.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Better Health

Posted by eph21920 on September 1, 2026 in Family, Friends, Grateful, Healing

My brother has a great group of friends in the RV place that he stays in the winter. They even have Zoom get togethers when people are scattered for the summer. They are very close and supportive of one another. A couple of days ago, my brother told me about one of the ladies who was really struggling with her health. It was so bad that the others who were still there with her wondered if her son was going to come soon. They didn’t think she was going to make it much longer. Today, my brother said that when he spoke to his friends this week, they said the woman had made an incredible turn around. She was starting to feel better and get around more. They were all amazed. My brother was so happy while he was talking about her potential recovery. He was grateful and hopeful for her.

I Found God today in better health for a friend of my brother.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Joyful Move

Posted by eph21920 on August 31, 2026 in Friends, Grateful, Happiness, Home, Joy

I was talking to a friend today who recently moved into an affordable retirement community. The land was actually donated by the adjacent church. They partnered with a local construction company to build the apartment complex. My friend said she is so blessed and happy to be able to live there. She said it’s cozy and friendly, just what she has been looking for. And since it is brand new, everyone is in the same situation and ready to make friends, or see what the place has to offer. When she first moved in and was unpacking her things, she heard a knock on her door. It was the “Welcome Wagon” from the church with a basket of goodies, including a quilt, tools, and some treats. She was having such a difficult time of it in her last place, it was good to see her so joyful about this new apartment. Even though she wasn’t at all looking forward to the complexity of another move, she was happy that she did.

I Found God today in my friend’s joy.

Permalink
Leave a comment

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.

Permalink
Leave a comment

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.

Permalink