Sometimes I feel like I have heard some biblical stories so many times, that the meaning can be lost on me. I know the words and what comes next. But, what makes any story engaging is when you are able to use your imagination or put yourself in the scene. In a meditation that I listened to today, the speaker recounted the events leading up to the birth of Jesus. He read the scripture that I have heard hundreds of time, then went through the events in real life. He talked about what may have Mary and Joseph actually had to endure in their lives. Surely before they were married, they didn’t anticipate what was in store. They likely had their own dreams, plans, and expectations. Instead, they had to constantly pivot, go a different direction, and most of all they had to trust in God. And they did. Even though their lives may not have been what they planned, God’s plan was far greater than either of them could have imagine. The speaker encouraged the listeners to think of any situation in our own lives that may have been similar. I closed my eyes to see what would come to mind. It was the true fact that my life now and the events leading up to it are not at all what I planned. When I was young, I think I had very simple dreams of being married and a mom and perhaps having a career. I started classes to become a nurse at one time since I was comfortable with the medical professions after spending so much time in a doctor’s office as a child. I never imagined that I would be divorced and living on my own after working as a youth minister and caring for my parents as I watched them suffer. I took big leaps of faith on this journey so far and learned that I could trust God with my life. He has allowed me to experience great joys, truly loving relationships, and the peace of His presence. I questioned His plan many times, but knew that it was always better than mine. As I continue on, I have no idea what the future will hold for me. And that is why I hang on to Him.

I Found God today reminded of how His plan is greater than mine.

Here is the pulpit and side altar dedicated to Mary in the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier.