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Friendly Chickadee

It was another mild day at the cabin today, so I spent much of the day outside. For the past couple of years I have trimmed some evergreen branches to make Christmas wreaths. This year there was no snow, so I hiked around and found a greater variety. It was very serene and quiet except for an occasional breeze blowing the trees. At one point, a chickadee flew in one of the trees that I was trimming and greeted me with the familiar “chik-a-dee-dee-dee”! I said hello and the little bird made his way closer, branch by branch calling his tune. I wondered if he was asking what I was doing to his tree, or perhaps asking where the bird food was. In any case, it was a welcomed encounter as we exchanged close greetings for a few seconds and it made me smile.

I Found God today in a friendly chickadee.

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So Many Stars

Since the weather is mild, we decided to head to the cabin today. In the evening the sliver of a moon was up early and low in the sky. I watched it as it slowly descended behind the ridge. Then it was dark – really dark. My dad discovered that the Leonid meteor shower was at it’s peak last night. We got out the star map and found the constellation Leo. Then I got my coat on and we went out on the deck to see what we could see. The sky was so clear, it didn’t take long for the stars to seemingly multiply as our vision adjusted to the dark. My dad saw a few bright streaks in the area where the meteor shower would be. But I couldn’t manage to stay focused on one area. There were so many stars – it had been a very long time since I had seen so many. The thought of all those suns and planets and galaxies out there in the vast space is mind boggling. I thought about the infinite God the Creator who is all, knows all, and created all. I was in awe.

I Found God today in awe of the vast space and infinite God.

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Personal Prayer of Thanks

As I have been continuing to study the book of Isaiah in my bible class, I read about Hezekiah who was a king of Judah. He was stricken with a life threatening disease. However, he had faith, prayed and trusted God. Because of this, God healed him and gave him an additional 15 years of his life. One of my homework questions today was to write a prayer of thanksgiving for a time in my life when God sustained me through a difficult situation. I thought immediately about how God cured my suffering of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. While I have thanked God over and over again, it was a beautiful exercise to actually write that in a prayer.

Praise God for all His blessings.
Praise God for His peace, care, and mercy.
They said I would be crippled. They said I wouldn’t be able to function.
God said, “You will not end up like that.”
I held steadfast to His grace and voice.
His Word is mightier than all knowledge in this world.
I continue on because of Him.
Praise God for all He is. Help me never to forget.

I Found God today writing a prayer of thanksgiving to Him.

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History of Faith

The church I used to work for is celebrating it’s 150th anniversary. We watched the Mass there today as we do most weeks. A gentleman spoke who has completed a history of the church. When I worked there, I was keenly aware of those who had come before me. For many years my office and religious education classes were in the beautiful building that was a convent. To me, there were still remnants and reminders of a life it once had. I was blessed that a couple of the sisters were still in the area and told me what happened in different rooms, such as the kitchen and the sleeping quarters. It filled me with respect and reverence for the place. Even when I was alone in the big old house, it was peaceful. As the gentleman spoke about the history book he wrote, I was once again conscience of how blessed we are to stand on the faith of those who have come before us. And as the pastor reminded us, we continue to make our own history. He was talking about the parish in particular, but I took it on a larger level. The Church itself is in an interesting period of time. The pandemic has changed what we do and how we do it. We are all certainly being tested on a personal and global level. And how we get through this will certainly be passed down to generations.

I Found God today considering the importance of passing along the history of faith.

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Clever Aunt

My mom called her sister today to wish her a happy birthday. We all sang when she answered the phone. At eighty-something, she is still living alone in her big house. She told us about all the precautions she is taking so she doesn’t get covid-19. During the summer, a couple of her friends would come over to play bridge. The stayed on the porch and wore their face shields. Now that winter is upon us, she figured out how to make the safest environment possible in the house so they can still play, which includes air purifiers. She is such a clever, fiercely independent woman. Even though she is getting cabin fever, she is doing her best to stay safe, connected and social.

I Found God today in my clever aunt.

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Grateful for Relationships

I woke up this morning to the sound of a text just received. I rolled over, grabbed the phone, and watched the most hilarious, ridiculous, obnoxious happy birthday video that my son sent me, complete with my name being sung. I laughed out loud alone in my room. That was a great start to my birthday. My sisters and family had planned several events for the weekend, but due to the rise in covid, unfortunately those things didn’t happen. However, all the cards and messages I received made me smile and feel very blessed. And since my son recovered from covid and received a negative test the other day, he came over to share dinner. He even played the piano and sang for us. It was almost like normal. While it was a different birthday – as it has been for millions of other people – I’m so grateful for the relationships in my life.

I Found God today gratefully for the relationships in my life.

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Hard Worker

Since my mother’s last episode with diverticulitis that started several weeks ago, she has been doing her best to eat well, rest well, and exercise. Today she felt up to joining her online exercise class. She had not participated in 2 months or longer. It was a good physical workout. It was also very good to touch base with the instructors and some of the other participants. My mom worked her body while getting some socialization. I am always amazed at how hard she works in every situation.

I Found God today in awe of my hard working mom.

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Early Christmas Music

My mom and I went to the hairdresser today. We figured if we got our hair cut now, we will make it through until the end of the year. The beautician asked if we were feeling ready for Christmas yet as she fiddled with her phone. I said not really, wondering what she was getting at. The next thing I knew, there was Christmas music playing through her sound system. She said she loves Christmas and the music makes her happy. We talked about how important it is especially now to do things that bring us joy. I did enjoy the Christmas music too. It just made me smile.

I Found God today hearing Christmas music early.

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Lasting Forever

I read a blog today about a woman named Annie Flack who recently passed away and had made a tremendous impact on a Christian community. She was quoted by something she said every day that can sum up our entire life:

Only one life, will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.

I Found God today reminded of the one thing that is eternal.

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Righteousness, Justice, Peace

Tonight in my Bible class, we continued our study of the prophet Isaiah. After the tumultuous week our country has experienced regarding the election, the words from the prophet rang true. Time and time again, Isaiah exhorts the people not to put their trust in men, nations, governments, but to place their trust in God. He reminds those who will listen to him that those who rule without God will be brought down, but those who continue to trust and rely on God will be saved. I am always amazed how things in the world, in history, change and yet remain the same. In the end, Isaiah talks about a king who will rule with righteousness and justice. God promises that, ” . . . the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness , quietness and trust forever.” Isaiah 32:17. I did my civic duty and voted my conscience best as I could. Regardless of the “winner” or “loser”, I will keep doing my best to rely on God.

I Found God today in a reminder that regardless of the political stage, I need to rely on Him for righteousness, justice, and peace.