Struggles
Refiner’s Fire
We have been visited by several people from Hospice this week. The support they offer is amazing and honestly, a little overwhelming. Today the CNA came to help mom in the shower. She also provided lots of helpful information. Then, the chaplain came to check in. During our chat, he talked about God’s refining fire, […]
Really Rest
After my mom came home from the hospital a little over a week ago, my sister and I put an extra bed in my mom’s room. We want to make sure someone is there for her during the night if she needs help. We’re taking turns, but it has been very difficult to get a […]
Scruples
Today I was thinking of the past. I can be haunted by mistakes I have made and things that I wish were different. I decided to continue listening to a podcast of the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola. This particular chapter described how Ignatius suffered from “Scruples” defined as a condition of self-criticism and […]
More German Food
We were blessed to celebrate my brother’s and brother in law’s birthdays today. We bought a big meal from our favorite German restaurant, including a cake. The woman at the restaurant said it was such a good idea so that no one has to cook. I told her we were just too tired. She said […]
Right Person
My mom’s friend’s son in law has been struggling with Leukemia and the effects of treatments for several years now. For quite some time he has had double vision. He had seen 3 different doctors who were unable to help him. His wife – our friends’ daughter – coordinates conventions for different groups all over […]
For Love of Music and Faith
At lunch today, my mom and her friend were reminiscing about their time working together. They met about 50 years ago and collaborated in music ministry for a somewhat new church. The congregation initially met in a school, then moved to a temporary building, then built a church. My mom was the organist and her […]
Fearless
In church today, I was happy and surprised to see some friends of mine. The husband has cancer and was told by the doctors he has only a few months to live. I have seen them via Zoom for prayer meetings and have stopped by their house a couple of times. He says he is […]
Despair, Dependency, Determination
I have been listening to readings of the Psalms recently. They are beautiful and like most of scripture they are timeless. What was written thousands of years ago could just as well have been written yesterday. I continue to be surprised as to how the themes flow from despair in one Psalm to dependency and […]
Bless Them
Tonight my prayer group talked about the necessity and power of intercessory prayer. One person shared a prayer they learned and put into practice. “Bless Them, Change Me”. Using the example of traffic and drivers who are annoying, you would say, “Bless them, change me.” In other words, you ask God to bless the person […]
Reciprocating Prayers
A friend contacted me this morning asking for prayers for her husband who is in the hospital. As I read through the previous texts, I realized many of them were regarding prayers – asking for them and promising them. I feel that praying for people is the best way we can express our love for […]
Still Finding God 