When you go to church, it can seem as if there is “assigned seating”. Everyone gravitates to the same spot week after week. It is the same for me and my parents. We sit in the back area, deemed the “handicapped” areas. It is just inside the entrance, so you don’t have to walk far. There are chairs instead of pews, which is more comfortable for my mom. And they have people bring Communion back to those who have difficulty walking to the front when it is time. Of course, we find that the same people usually sit in the same area as well. There is one family that consists of 4 generations – though not all attend every week. One young woman and her husband have 2 children and just had a baby a few weeks ago. Quite a while back, I realized that the mother only has one arm. She typically wears a sweater draped over her shoulder so it is not too obvious. The family and kids are usually sitting behind us. Today the section was pretty full when we arrived, so we sat a couple rows further back – behind the family. I have always admired the care that the husband shows to his wife and kids. Sitting behind them, this showed through even more. I tried to focus on what was happening on the altar, but caught glimpses of his loving touch every now and again. He carefully folded the blanket for the baby and helped his wife wrap him up while she held him. At one point the matriarch of the family – she would be the great-grandmother of the infant – took the little one so she could have her turn. The dad gentle guided and corrected the kids during Mass and quick glances at his wife showed her approval. As the celebration came to a close, he gently took the baby and got him ready to go. To me, it was just beautiful to see a husband and father who was so lovingly attentive to his family.

I Found God today in a wonderful example of a husband and father.