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Frozen in Place

Posted by eph21920 on March 20, 2022 in Advent, Faith, Forgiveness, Generosity, Present, Relationship

One of today’s scripture readings at Mass was about Moses meeting God in the burning bush. When God introduced Himself to Moses, He instructed him to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. When the priest talked about that, he described how we are always on the move. And in in order to do so, we have to wear something on our feet. When Moses took off his sandals, he was in fact frozen in that moment, in that place. The priest talked about how we are all so busy running from one thing to another all the time. All too often we don’t make any time for God. We can end up spending our lives chasing after fame, fortune, and fun, and neglect the one thing that can fulfill us and give us life after we leave this world. Namely, God. He wants us to be frozen in place, even for a little while, so we can get to know the love and peace He offers us.

I Found God today hearing a different perspective about the story of Moses and the burning bush.

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Mindful Moment

Posted by eph21920 on March 19, 2022 in Answer, Faith, Family, Opportunity, Present

My sister came today and is staying the night. Before bed, I asked her where she found God today. As we were reflecting on our day, her watch made a notification ding. When she looked at the watch, it told her to take time for a mindful moment. That’s exactly what we were doing. We looked at each other wide eyed and laughed.

I Found God today in encouragement to take a mindful moment.

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Smiling Irish Eyes

Posted by eph21920 on March 17, 2022 in Connected, Family, Fun, Happiness, Life, Music

I like to take the opportunity to celebrate whenever possible. So my mom and I started off St. Patrick’s Day by wearing our green sweaters. I had stored away some Irish soda bread made into french toast in the freezer. I got that out and warmed it up to go with our mushroom and greens omelette. Green tea was a good compliment. After breakfast, my mom got out her music and found, “When Irish Eyes are Smiling”. She played it so well I took a video and posted it on social media. I thanked her for playing for everyone. She said it was her favorite thing to do. I said my favorite thing to do was to listen to her.

I Found God today sharing my mom’s music.

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The Lord is My Shepherd

Posted by eph21920 on March 16, 2022 in Answer, Bible, Connected, Faith, Life

I have had a tune in my head all day for a hymn using the words of Psalm 23 beginning with, “The Lord is my shepherd”. This got me noticing that image everywhere. A friend sent a book that goes through the Psalm as a meditation of types, focusing on one sentence at a time. My mom received her monthly prayer book in the mail today and it had the image of Jesus the Good Shepherd on the cover. In my room I have a statue that was given to me by a priest friend who was the pastor of a Good Shepherd parish. Then, when I opened up my prayer app tonight, there was the hymn. I wonder if God is trying to tell me something.

I Found God today being reminded all day that the Lord is my Shepherd.

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Mouse

Posted by eph21920 on March 15, 2022 in Creation, Generosity, Healing, Love, Opportunity

It was a gorgeous day today and I was very happy to be able to go for a hike with a good friend. She is a dog lover and will stop to pet and talk to all the dogs we encounter. We talk to the people too. Today we came upon a couple with two elderly dogs who were plodding along and taking their time. When we stopped to chat one of them actually laid down. The people told us about all the different dogs and cats they had aquired to care for. Then they told us about the mouse. Evidently one of the cats caught a mouse in the house. When the woman went to pick it up, it moved. Her husband promptly got out an old aquarium to use as a house for the little critter. That was 5 years ago. The mouse was blinded after it’s mauling by the cat. But the people gave it a new life. The woman described how her grandchildren loved to feed it and give it new bedding and things to climb on. When asked what the name of the mouse was, the answer was simply, “Mouse.” I have never met anyone who loved and cared for struggling animals so much.

I Found God today in animal lovers.

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In Labor

Posted by eph21920 on March 14, 2022 in Answer, Baby, Begin, Bible, Connected, Creation, Death, Faith, Joy, Saint

In my bible class tonight, my teacher talked about the awesome experience he had being able to witness the birth of 5 of the 6 of his children. He said there was nothing like seeing his wife in labor and all the suffering that accompanied it. At the final push, he could see the tremendous pain on her face. But the people with her were all helping her, giving her strength and courage. The pain was quickly replaced with an incomparable joy when the newborn was placed in her arms. He brought this up as we read John 16:21 and likened the death transition to a woman in labor. God has given us life here on earth, but now He is calling us back to be with Him. The teacher said he could easily imagine the pain and suffering he will go through in his final moments. But the saints in Heaven will be cheering him on. And in an instant, the agony will be changed to a joy greater than we can imagine at being in the presence of God. I was told this same comparison by a Deacon who prayed with me when my dad was in the hospital, and by a Hospice nurse. I believe it to be true, especially as I saw the peace on my dad’s face after he died.

I Found God today reflecting on the joy of entering Heaven.

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Look Up

Posted by eph21920 on March 13, 2022 in Connected, Creation, Death, Family

We have a bookmark that has “Advice from the moon”. When slmy mom put it in her book tonight, she read one appropriate statement, “Be someone to look up to.” It was good advice that reminded me of my dad. First, because he loved anything and everything to do with space. My sister recently signed up to have my dad’s name put on a flash drive that will be aboard the Artemis I rocket as it flies around the moon. My dad was also pretty good at handing out advice, as most fathers are. And he was a man I looked up to. Especially now as we help my mom plow through the estate paperwork, he was so careful and meticulous to make sure my mother would be well taken care of. Every time I look up now, I think of him.

I Found God today in good advice that reminded of my dad.

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Heart Not Cart

Posted by eph21920 on March 12, 2022 in Answer, Bible, Faith, Generosity, Life

This evening we read the meditation of the day from the Magnificat written by Gina Loehr. There were a couple sentences that struck me referring to the scripture Matthew 5:43-48, where Jesus instructs us to be perfect like his father. The reflection stated, “Today’s Gospel is about what’s in my heart, not what’s in my cart.” I thought that was a cute and clever way to convey the message. The reflection continued, “It’s not a matter of what I buy or what I can show off or prove to the world.” It is hard not to allow myself to get caught up in wanting or having more stuff. And it takes discipline to nurture my soul. But, I always do better when I put God first.

I Found God today reminded to keep God first in all things.

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With God and Others

Posted by eph21920 on March 11, 2022 in Connected, Family, Prayer, Stranger

I was pleasantly surprised when my mom said she would like to go to the parish Stations of the Cross and fish fry tonight. The prayers were the same as those I did with my friend the other day, so I felt like I was able to pray along with a little more intent. Afterwards, we made our way downstairs for the meal. My mother said it reminded her of the fish fry’s they used to have in her home town when she was a child. There was a small crowd in attendance, so we sat with some people we never met. It turned out that the woman’s 90 year old mother had passed away a couple of months ago, so she was a little emotional, but very sweet. We told her about my dad’s death too. Then we found out that her sister had the same name as my mom, too. Funny connections. It was so good for me and my mom to be out, praying, and socializing.

I Found God today being with God and with others.

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Pray For You

Posted by eph21920 on March 10, 2022 in Answer, Bible, Connected, Faith, Friends, Prayer

A good friend of mine is a wonderful pray-er. She always has a prayer list going and is faithful about praying a rosary for those in particular need. I was surprised when we chatted a few days ago and she told me she didn’t really pray for herself. I shared part of Matthew chapter 7 describing God’s desire to care for us, if only we would ask. Because God is love, He will not force Himself upon us. We have to do our part to enter into the relationship. Today my mom and I read the scripture for the Mass of the day, which included more of Matthew 7 and reading from Esther who was throwing herself into God’s care. She was a beautiful example of being able to accomplish mighty things because of her fervent, faithful prayers. There was also Psalm 138:3, “Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.” I thought of my friend and passed the scriptures along. What a great reminder it was that we must pray for ourselves as well as others.

I Found God today remembering how important it is to pray for ourselves.

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