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Christmas Candle

Posted by eph21920 on December 15, 2020 in Advent, Angel, Faith, Family, Hope, Miracle

My parents and I were looking for something to watch on TV tonight. We have watched a couple of those sappy Christmas movies where you can accurately predict the plot in the first 5 minutes. You know the main characters will fall in love with each other by the end of the drama. We wanted something different and came across the movie, “The Christmas Candle”. The story was written by Max Lucado. It was an uplifting show about Christmas miracles, faith, and hope. It didn’t play out exactly as I had anticipated and took a couple of unexpected twists. Yes, all was well in the end, but it included a good message. We all enjoyed it.

I Found God today in an uplifting story.

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Why Does God Allow Evil

Posted by eph21920 on December 14, 2020 in Answer, Bible, Faith, Hope, Life, Prayer

In my Bible class tonight, we read through the book of the prophet Habakkuk. He raises the question to God one that we have all wrestled with since the beginning of time – Why does God allow evil? Habakkuk cried out to God since from his perspective, evil was flourishing and good was dwindling. He asked God why did it seem that the people who disregard Him live comfortably, while those who try to remain faithful struggle and even suffer. We could ask the same thing in our time right now. God answered Habakkuk that He was in fact doing His work, His will in ways that were unknown to Habakkuk, and that even if He told him, he wouldn’t believe or understand it. God encouraged Habakkuk to be patient and to remain faithful. He said that the righteous would suffer in his time, but those who persecuted them would be persecuted themselves. In the end, Habakkuk makes the conscience decision to continue to follow and rely on God. History tells us that in Habakkuk’s time, just when it seemed that the wicked would prevail, they were destroyed themselves. The take away for me was that God’s ways are higher than mine and I cannot understand them; I must patiently endure and trust in God and pray for those who do not; and that God always keeps His promises. I can either rely on God, or rely on myself. And I know that trying to do things on my own in my way doesn’t always work out so good.

I Found God today in a reminder to rely on Him.

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Pray Without Ceasing

Posted by eph21920 on December 13, 2020 in Advent, Faith, Joy, Knowledge, Love, Prayer

I went outside to shovel this morning and met my neighbor out there. She had already “been to church”. The message that she heard was that we can have joy in any circumstance. We may not always be “happy”, but our hearts can remain joyful if we know, love, and trust God. Of course, we must be in relationship with Him through prayer. One of the scripture readings for Mass today was spot on for me:

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
In all circumstances give thanks,
1 Thessalonians 5:16

I Found God today in a reminder to pray without ceasing.

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Craft Day

Posted by eph21920 on December 12, 2020 in Family, Fun

It was cold and snowy outside today, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to do some crafts. I put on a big pot of chicken soup that could cook all day so dinner would be taken care of. Then I got out a bunch of things from my Christmas box such as jingle bells, pipe cleaners, and ribbons I have been putting away for just such an occasion. My mom and I spent a couple hours this afternoon putting together some very cute decorations. It was a lot of fun.

I Found God today tapping into my creative side.

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Gone Too Long

Posted by eph21920 on December 11, 2020 in Family, Happiness, Home, Relationship

It has been a very long time since my sister has come for a visit for various reasons – most of them due to covid concerns. She came today for a couple of hours. Even though it was difficult for my parents to hear and understand her some of the time due to masking and social distancing, they really enjoyed her company. We even got oriental take-out for lunch, which they love and I do not. As she left, my dad said he wished she would come more often. As her circumstances are changing, perhaps she can.

I Found God today in my sister’s visit.

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Christmas Cards

Posted by eph21920 on December 10, 2020 in Connected, Family, Friends, Grateful

For the past few days, my parents have been working hard on getting their Christmas cards ready. Before they started, they reviewed last year’s cards with joy. Then they wrote a letter, went through their addresses, and printed labels. Each year it gets a little more challenging. Today they finished putting them all together and they are ready to mail out. My mom said she loves sending the cards and touching base with friends and she was glad she got them done.

I Found God today seeing my parents finish their big project.

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Old Man and Old Dog

Posted by eph21920 on December 9, 2020 in Connected, Creation, Love, Relationship, Trust

I have been taking advantage of the pick up option at the grocery store. It is easy to make the list online and schedule the time to pick up the order. I don’t even have to get out of the car – they wheel out the groceries and put them right into the trunk. I went this morning to pick up the order I placed last night. As I waited for them to come out with my food, I just took in the scenery. I spotted an old man walking with his pup. The man had quite a limp and was constantly fiddling with the long leash attached to the small mangy old dog who had a unique gait as well. They stopped to cross the busy street and it seemed that the man wasn’t quite sure where he was going. Then my groceries arrived and my focus shifted. After the order was loaded in the car, I went over to the pharmacy drive through to pick up a prescription. As I waited there, here came the man and the dog back the other direction and right in front of me. As the little dog went across the sidewalk, it became evident that he was blind. I thought about the relationship between this pair. I thought they must have been together for many years. The old dog was clearly dependent and fully trusting in the old man to lead him where he should go. The old man was continually fidgeting with the leash and checking to make sure the old dog was by his side. It seemed to me that he was just as dependent on the dog, but in a different way. To me, it was a beautiful display of mutual care and trust.

I Found God today in the care and trust of an old man and his old dog.

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Patroness of Our Country

Posted by eph21920 on December 8, 2020 in Advent, Faith, Family, Mary, Prayer

Today was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. My parents and I searched the internet for a Mass and came across the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. They had a recorded Mass, so we celebrated there. It was beautiful. The church was decorated with royal blue, as were the vestments. The music consisted of the large pipe organ and only a few choir members – also wearing royal blue – standing socially distanced in a half circle. The lector had an amazing voice and way of telling the story, rather than just reading the words. The celebrant was the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. He had a thick accent, but a wonderful homily and message. He talked about how in our current world, people don’t seem to even believe in a true right or wrong and scoff at the word sin. He said that we are afraid of everything except sin, which is what we should fear the most due to its’s eternal consequences. During the celebration, the camera highlighted specific works of art throughout the church, all depicting Our Lady. We were reminded that the Immaculate Mary is the Patroness of Our Country and later we said a specific prayer for our nation. When Mass was over, my dad exclaimed, “Well, you certainly know you’ve been to church!” Even though we weren’t physically there and were unable to receive Communion, his statement was very true.

I Found God today in the Immaculate Conception.

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Walk and Talk

Posted by eph21920 on December 7, 2020 in Creation, Friends, Grateful

It was another beautiful day here, so after my parents and I went for a short walk, I thought it would be great to go for a long walk. I met my neighbor outside who said she was going to go for a walk, so we went together. She and her husband are also hunkered down due to the pandemic, so we lamented together for a while, then chatted about happier things. I really enjoyed walking and talking and getting to know her a little more.

I Found God today in an unexpected walk and visit.

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More Prayer This Year

Posted by eph21920 on December 6, 2020 in Connected, Faith, Family, Generosity, Grateful, Life, Love, Opportunity, Prayer, Present, Relationship

We attended Mass online again this morning and listened to an additional homily. Later in the day, my dad and I drove up to the church and dropped off the presents we bought for the “giving tree”. Even though we haven’t been able to attend Mass inside the church, we have been doing our best to stay connected. At dinner, we realized it has been almost a year since we actually went to church. At the beginning of this year, my dad had a stroke. My mom and I would bring my computer to the hospital and rehab on Sundays and watch Mass online. Then, we could count on a Eucharistic minister to come to the room and bring Communion. When my dad returned home, he was still not up to going to church, so we continued to watch online and were blessed to have a weekly visit from a parish Eucharistic minister. Then the pandemic hit. We just continued on as we were, but we made our Sunday Mass time more meaningful by setting up a home altar and actively participating instead of just “watching”. My mom mentioned that it was funny, but even though we haven’t been going to church, she thought she has prayed more this year than any other. I agreed – I know that I have had more personal prayer time. My dad said the same. That was an interesting observation. I am so grateful that Our Lord gives each of us the ability to grow in our relationship with him as long as we are trying. He isn’t bound by circumstances or location. His love, grace, mercy, and peace are available to us always.

I Found God today grateful for His generous availability.

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