Today our neighbor called just to touch base with my dad. He said how grateful he was that my dad was recovering so well from the stroke. He acknowledged that it was answered prayers for sure. He shared that his wife was healing well from a recent surgery – another answered prayer. They talked about things going on in the complex and things to look forward to. They chatted about this and that. It was just a very thoughtful and welcomed phone call.
I Found God today in a thoughtful neighbor.
Yesterday I learned that Pope Francis was urging all Catholics to unite at the same time to pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, begging God to rid our world of the corona virus. It is the Feast Day of St. Joseph – earthly father to Jesus. We never hear a word from St. Joseph in scripture, but he was entrusted to the safe keeping of Mary and the young Jesus – God Himself. Pope Francis asked that we entrust our world to his safekeeping as well. At just the right time this afternoon, I found the site that was live streaming the event from Italy. All the prayers and sub-titles were in Italian. Even so, we were able to keep track and follow along as we prayed in English. Those leading the prayers included priests, a young man, a nun, and a woman doctor. Although I couldn’t understand everything they were saying, their faith, devotion, and urgency was evident. I did feel united to them and others as I thought about how many people were praying the same thing at the same time.
I Found God today uniting with people from around the world in prayer.
My dad’s cousin has been in an assisted living facility for about a year now and receiving hospice care on and off. It was exciting when he reached his 95th birthday – the oldest relative that my dad was able to document. Unfortunately, we received word that he died a few days ago. There were blessings in his passing that were shared with us by a family member. She said that the facility was just in the process of not allowing visitors due to corona virus precautions. However, they made it under the wire and the family was able to be with him. The staff all came into the room to pray with him and talked about how much they loved him while he was still able to respond with a big smile. During the shift change, even more staff were able to stop in to say their final good-byes. She also shared that she had told him “May the Lord Bless You” with her hand on him, and read my blog of the same title shortly after. It was comforting to hear of the peace and love that surrounded the man as he passed from this world to the next.
I Found God today in blessings during a passing.
I got up yesterday morning with a mission of accomplishing all the errands that needed to be done. I talked with several doctor offices and postponed appointments, or in 1 case actually got the necessary information from the doctor without having to go to their facility. I dropped off tax information, dropped off hearing aids that needed fixing, dropped off mail at the post office, and ended with the grocery store. Of course, I wasn’t able to get everything I wanted, but we have what we need. I sanitized my hands after every stop. When I got home, I threw my clothes in the wash, and took a hot shower to further decontaminate. Feeling pretty good about my productive day and my precautionary measures, I started preparing dinner. Using the small knife, I started chopping the vegetables. Last were the potatoes. There was a thought that I should trade to the bigger knife, but the small one was already in my hand so I kept going. With only 3 pieces left to chop, I slipped and cut deep into my thumb. How quickly things change. As I scrubbed it with soap, I calmly called my brother from the basement. By the time he got upstairs, the blood was running down my hand and I was biting my lip in pain. He panicked. He got me the necessary supplies and I wrapped the wound up tight. I tried to talk myself into thinking that it would be fine as the last place I wanted to go was an urgent care. As my brother continued cooking, I sat holding my hand up in dismay thinking of the options. He told me it was one of the worst cuts he had seen in a long time and I really should go have it looked at. Seeing that he was calmer now, I took his advice. I called my son who took me to the urgent care. They said the gash would not have healed well on it’s own. An hour and a half, 5 stitches, and a tetanus shot later, my son brought me back home. I woke about half way through the night in pain. I was very glad that my brother was here and that I listened to him to have the cut taken care of. Even though I felt I had done all that I could yesterday to keep from being exposed to illness, that all went out the window ending up in the urgent care. But, it was just another reminder to me that I can do all that I can, but in the end there is very little I have actual control over. I can’t obsess over the craziness going on. Faith, Hope, and Trust in God’s plan is where I find peace.
I Found God today in my brother’s encouragement and realizing my need to trust in God.
Like many Catholic Diocese around the world, ours decided it would be in the best interest of all to cancel Mass at this time. So, like we have many times recently, we turned on EWTN to watch the Mass. The homily by Fr. Miguel Marie, MFVA, really stirred my heart. Here are some of the things he said that I found most meaningful:
“Deep down, we all have a deep thirst for God, whether we know it or not…. This life is short, is has it’s time…It is crucial that we all unite in prayer begging that God keep us and all who are in danger safe from this serious illness…We have all done things that are a waste of time instead of spending time with God…We spend hours quarreling on social media, but hardly any minutes with God in prayer…Few of us will be taken down by this sickness, most of us will survive and have another opportunity to live a better life…Today in our country, President Trump declared a National Day of Prayer…God can use political figures to call us to prayer…It’s time to put our differences aside and come together to storm Heaven daily in prayer.”
I Found God in stirring and relevant words from a priest.
My sister came over today. It was good to see her back to her usual energetic self after her spider bite and flu episode. At one point she was whistling a tune. My mom asked her what the melody was. It was “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” She said it just popped into her head. My mom said she had just been thinking about that song yesterday and was looking for the music to play it on the piano. She went right over and played the song. It was funny that both my mom and my sister thought of this song out of the blue. And it is so fitting for right now.
I Found God today in a family reminder of a needed message.
I headed to the grocery store this morning. I thought perhaps it wouldn’t be so crowded early in the morning during a snowstorm. Boy was I wrong. I learned from some of employees that there had been lines of people since 6:00 this morning. I was expecting the worst, but hoping for the best. As I made my way through the aisles, I started to feel a camaraderie with my fellow shoppers. It seemed to me that most people felt the same way. People were polite and patient. I didn’t see anyone losing their temper or getting upset. I didn’t see anyone hoarding any particular item. Everyone checked the toilet paper aisle – just in case. People chatted with one another as we all waited in the long lines. It was even said out loud, “We’ll all get through this – together.” That is the mindset I think we all need to have at this time.
I Found God today in very patient and respectful shoppers.
This evening, my grandson received his Confirmation. He chose my son – his uncle – to be his sponsor. I was sad not to be able to attend, but we prayed for him during the Mass. And I was grateful to get some photos of him receiving the Sacrament almost in real time. He looked so happy. When we chatted a little later he said it felt good to be holy, he liked the smell of the oil, and his feet hurt. I feel very blessed that my children still make their faith a part of their lives and are raising their children to do the same.
I Found God today as my grandson got Confirmed.
My brother took his dog on a long walk this afternoon as usual. But when he returned he had a story to tell. While they were walking, they were approached by a large black lab who was alone – no person, no leash. At first my brother tried to shoo the dog away as he didn’t want an altercation with his own dog. But, the dogs were friendly to one another and my brother saw that the lab had on a collar with tags. He was able to grab a hold of the collar, but the dog squirmed out of it and ran into a nearby garage. There was a man working in the garage, so he and my brother were able to get the collar back on the dog and my brother was able to call the owner. Luckily, they lived only a couple of blocks away. When they showed up to claim their dog, they were very apologetic and grateful. We told my brother he was the hero of the day.
I Found God today in my very helpful brother.
My mom and one her best friends’ used to lead the church choir together for years. My mom played the organ and/or piano and her friend directed. It was a great group of people and they would get together for parties as well. My mom’s friend was going through some old papers and brought some over today. They included some songs that some choir members wrote in tribute to my mom. My mom’s friend played the piano and we all sang and got teary eyed by the end. Here is one that went to the tune of “More”.
She is the greatest one our choir has known, This woman of such talent she has shown, Songs from her throat are music any day, No simple task is it to sing and play. Still, makes no matter when She will always play again, She makes music ever bet-a, dear-a, love Anita. Fonder and fonder we become of her, So let’s make certain she remains ever, Treat her as if she were your own, Welcome her into your home, Our Anita, bless her more.
I Found God today in a beautiful song written in tribute to my mom.
