Today at Mass, the scripture readings were about first Elijah raising a child from the dead, and then Jesus doing the same thing. The priest talked about how we experience loss. I thought about the loss I have experienced in my life. There have been deaths of family and friends, which is typically what we think about. I have also lost significant relationships through divorce and through various moves. On occasion I have lost trust and even hope. But as I think about these different events, God has always brought me through them. Often, He is the One that I have clung to and pleaded to for help. In my previous parish, three parishes and churches combined to make one parish. For years there was talk about the necessity to sell and close two of the churches – much to the dismay of many of the parishioners. Recently I found out that one of the churches had indeed been sold. Today the parish celebrated the last Mass there and closed the doors. I was in church at the same time, only miles away. I thought about how devoted some of the people were to the church and wondered what affect this would have on them. I thought about the pastor and staff as I knew how difficult it would be on them. I prayed for them all. I found myself remembering different events that were held there and prayer time I enjoyed there. I heard the priest say that loss is a part of life – we cannot get away from it. What is important is our response. While thoughts of losing the beautiful church saddened me, I was also joyful for the time I was able to spend there. More so, I was incredibly grateful for the people that I met through that church – people who inspired me, humbled me, and helped me to grow in faith. I trust that God will lead the people and the parish according to His perfect plan.

I Found God today remembering the beauty of a church, the people I met there, and the experiences I had there.