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Carpe Solis

Posted by eph21920 on January 7, 2021 in Answer, Creation, Grateful, Happiness, Life, Opportunity, Present

One of my mottos is “carpe diem” – seize the moment. When an opportunity presents itself to accomplish something, take care of something, or do something, I try to take advantage of it. Usually we are able to spend at least a few minutes in the morning sunshine. But this morning was cloudy and cold. However, after lunch the sun started peeking out. My parents laid down for a nap, but I didn’t want to let the moment pass without enjoying it. So I put on my tennis shoes and went for a walk. It was wonderful. I was glad to carpe solis and enjoy the time in the warmth of the sunshine.

I Found God today enjoying the time that the sun shone outside.

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Desperate Benediction

Posted by eph21920 on January 6, 2021 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Hope, Life, Love, Peace, Prayer

With all the chaos that ensued today, I was encouraged to find consolation with my friends on social media. One particular item that was shared was a song released today by Steven Curtis Chapman, “A Desperate Benediction”. On his Youtube introduction of the song, he says in part, ” . . . ultimately, I believe that true peace…the peace that transcends all understanding and guards our hearts and minds…comes from the Prince of peace, Jesus Christ. So it is with a heavy yet hopeful heart that I share this new song with you…as a prayer…a cry…a Desperate Benediction for all of us….praying for peace, and praying that it starts with me, with you, with each of us.” I listened to the beautiful song. Then I realized that I had worn all day my shirt that says, “Peace” and had thrown on my scarf that said the same thing as I went out doing errands. I guess I was advocating for peace even before the craziness started at the capitol.

I Found God today in a beautiful song reminding me that peace begins with me.

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Ongoing Daily Conversation

Posted by eph21920 on January 5, 2021 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Friends, Life, Prayer

I was chatting with a friend today who has had many struggles during the past year, like so many others, and the difficulties continue. As I have talked with friends, many have expressed a more active prayer life as a result of the stress. Her description really touched my heart. She seems, ” . . . to have sort of an ongoing conversation with God all day long.” How beautiful. How necessary. How loving.

I Found God today in a day of prayer.

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God Formed Us

Posted by eph21920 on January 4, 2021 in Answer, Bible, Creation, Faith, Intimacy, Life, Love

Tonight I read part of the book of Jeremiah and came to one of the most beautiful passages that has been so meaningful to me for many years. It is also one that defines those who stand and work for the life of the unborn.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you…” Jeremiah 1:5

God also promised Jeremiah that He would always be with him, even through hardship and suffering. To me, this is the whole definition of our relationship with God. He creates us, He knows us, He has a plan for our lives. It is hope-filled, loving, and I can trust in Him with my future.

I Found God today reminded that He knows me intimately and formed me into being.

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Vaccine Coming Soon

Posted by eph21920 on January 3, 2021 in Answer, Doctor, Family, Grateful, Happiness, Opportunity

Today I was sitting near my mom as she was reviewing her emails on her iPad. She started reading slowly out loud, “Urgent message from your healthcare provider to schedule your covid-19 vaccine . . .” I yelled, jumped over to her, and literally yanked the iPad out of her hand. It was true. The provider was contacting her to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine. We went through the prompts and she will get her first dose in a couple of weeks. When we were through, I got into my dad’s account and found that he had the same message. He too, is now scheduled to receive his vaccine on the same day. We are all so very excited.

I Found God today as my parents will soon be receiving the covid-19 vaccine.

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Prayer During a Scary Situation

Posted by eph21920 on January 2, 2021 in Car, Faith, Family, Grateful, Prayer, Problem, Weather

I woke with a start this morning, found my rosary and started praying. A few minutes after I finished, my phone rang. It was my older son. I knew right away there was something wrong. He told me he was in an ambulance going to the hospital and that he had totalled his car. He was understandably distraught and somewhat confused. It took a couple of minutes for me to figure out that he had been in an accident. He was mostly upset about the car. I told him not to worry about that right now and we just needed to make sure he was ok. After he hung up for the rest of his ambulance ride, I called his wife. She was very distressed and was trying to calm herself. My son had called her before he had called 911. Together, they called for assistance. Fortunately, her sister lives not too far from them and her brother-in-law went to the site of the crash and stayed with my son until the EMT’s arrived. My son was examined at the hospital and released with medication and directions to rest. Gratefully, he had no severe injuries. Later, I was able to get the full story of what had happened. The roads were icy this morning and my son was making his weekly trip to the dump. As he approached a certain turn in the road, he knew it was a particularly hazardous area as he had been on it hundreds of times. He maneuvered the corner as before, but the vehicle did not respond. My son said that everything then happened in slow motion and immediately at the same time. He tried all the different things he knew to try to stop the car from sliding, but to no avail. The best he could do was to try to steer as he headed down an embankment. When everything stopped, the car was tipped on the driver’s side with the airbags deployed. He climbed out of the passenger’s side of the vehicle with the EMT’s help. Then, he was transported to the hospital. I am thanking God that things did not end up much worse. I am grateful that no one else was in the car at the time – particularly the kids. I am grateful that he wasn’t seriously injured. I am grateful that I followed the inclination to pray at the same time my son was experiencing this very scary situation.

I Found God today grateful that my son is ok after a scary situation.

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Friend’s Surprise Vaccine

Posted by eph21920 on January 1, 2021 in Angel, Doctor, Friends, Grateful, Healing, Hope, Joy, Opportunity

Like most people, we have been watching for the opportunity to receive the coronavirus vaccine. My parents and I are all connected to the same health care system. They sent us each an email a couple weeks ago stating that they would let us know when it is our turn to get the injection. At the beginning of this week my mom and I heard on the news that the provider had tested their system by randomly choosing several people in the state to get the vaccine. Today I spoke to a friend of mine who announced that her husband was one of those people. On Monday morning, he found in his email an invitation to make an appointment for the shot. He went through the process and received his first dose on Tuesday. He already has his appointment for the second injection. He reported that he barely felt anything and has had no adverse reactions. He has been battling bladder cancer for 3 years now and has had several ups and downs. For them, this was the best way the family could have started the new year. I was so happy for him to be one of those randomly chosen. It was a blessing to hear their excitement and joy.

I Found God today in the blessing of a vaccine for a friend.

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New Year’s Prayer

Posted by eph21920 on December 31, 2020 in Faith, Family, Hope, Life, Love, New, Prayer

I received a new year’s prayer in the mail the other day that we prayed tonight. It was beautiful and well worth sharing:

Lord, we pray that this New Year will bring us closer to You.
Help us to truly celebrate the gifts You have graciously given us and use them to serve You and spread Your word.
May we also see and love You in all the people we meet, so that in turn, they can see You in us.
In this New Year, let us realize that every action of ours no matter how great or small enables us to be in touch with You.
Let us accept You in our lives, in the way it pleases You,
as Truth, to be spoken,
as Life, to be lived,
as Light, to be lighted,
as Love, to be followed,
as Joy, to be given,
as Peace, to be spread about,
as Sacrifice, to be offered among our relatives, friends, neighbors, and all people.
Amen

I Found God today in a beautiful New Year’s prayer.

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Interesting In Common

Posted by eph21920 on December 30, 2020 in Connected, Happiness, Life, Stranger

I drove the Blazer to pick up my groceries today since the side roads were pretty icy. I recognized the gentleman who brought my order out to the car. He seemed to recognize me as well as he greeted me and started loading the back of the vehicle. He saw the “I’d rather be at the cabin” bumper sticker and asked where the cabin was. I gave him the general answer I always do explaining the neighboring city. He said he knew the area pretty well. Then he went on to tell me that the currently operating gold mine nearby used to belong to his family in past generations. I knew a bit about the gold mine – enough to carry on a conversation. It was very interesting to hear his families’ experience in the industry. Unfortunately, the family no longer has a part in the gold mine, which is very lucrative right now. It was a simple, interesting conversation with a fellow human being that I didn’t know, but it brightened my day.

I Found God today talking with a person I didn’t know.

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Continuing the Chronicles

Posted by eph21920 on December 29, 2020 in Connected, Faith, Family, Happiness, Hope, Love, Movie

For years my son and I have watched the Chronicles of Narnia, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” at Christmas time. When I was at his place the other day, I mentioned it to him. He pulled out the DVD and let me borrow it. Tonight, I watched it with my parents. It was still just as good and my parents enjoyed it as well. I love the plot of good prevailing over evil due to a pure, willing sacrifice. You can’t help but to draw the connection between the story and that of salvation through Jesus Christ. Of course, it was written by author CS Lewis who knew how to capture the audience through Christian allegory. His writings, the movie, and the reality of Jesus Christ are full of love, hope, and faith.

I Found God today enjoying a hope-filled movie with my parents.

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