I finished and mailed my Christmas cards today. Yes, they are a little late, but I can’t seem to get them out much sooner. As I completed each card, I thought of and prayed for each person in the family. I found myself more grateful for them and the influence and blessing they have been in my life.
I Found God today remembering special friendships.
I have been wanting to get to the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this Advent season. However, time is limited, there is a lot to do, and I kept forgetting. But the other day, I read about the experience of a good friend who went to the Sacrament. He wrote in part,
“I feel so uplifted, unburdened, inspired, and thankful after such confession and absolution, inspired by my “penance”. I feel a little sorry for non-Catholics of the world, as the pure joy, happiness, purity and lightness of heart, mind, and soul is overwhelming. My Catholic friends know what I’m talking about. For my non-Catholic friends, I hope that your religion, spirituality, or moral/life compass somehow allows for such unburdening of the heaviness weighing you down in your life.”
I do know what he is talking about and I was bound and determined to make it to Confession. I was happy to be able to go tonight. My experience wasn’t quite as overwhelming as it seems my friend’s was. But as I prayed, I felt “lighter”. As I continued contemplating, I realized my sins were gone, so of course there would be a release of a burden. And was is to happen to that now empty space? It is filled with God’s grace, which is a lot easier to carry.
I Found God today celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
My mom received a Christmas card today from a woman she has known for most of her life. When my mother was 5 years old, she started going to dance classes with the then little girl who was just a year older. There were many times in later years when their lives crossed paths in very interesting ways. My mom joyfully told me about her and said she is the only person who has remained in touch for the whole time – over 80 years. What a blessing.
I Found God today in a true life long friend.
My dad has had a few different careers during his life. But one thing that has remained with him from the time he was a young teenager is photography. Just as music is to my mom, photography is to my dad. That is how he expresses who he is, how he sees the world, and it has always brought him joy. He has thousands of images in numerous forms – printed, digital, slides, mounted, etc. Recently he has been making an album of all the photos that have won awards in various competitions. Not only are the pictures beautiful, but each one has a story to go with it. To me, the stories are just as compelling as the images that have captured them. It is a beautiful project that gives the viewer a glimpse into the essence of my dad.
I Found God today in my dad’s expression through his photography.
We watched one of our favorite movies tonight – The Sound of Music. My mom told me that when she was younger, she had a friend who went to a convent to become a nun. The friend wanted my mom to go with her. My mom considered it too and asked her mother if she could go. But my mom was only 14. Her wise mother said to wait 4 years until she was 18. Then if she still wanted to become a nun, that would be fine. However, during that time, my mom met and started dating my father. That was the end of her desire to go to the convent. But, like the children in the movie, my siblings and I are blessed because of her decision. I am particularly grateful for the faith she has passed along to me.
I Found God today in the history of my mother’s faith.
My sister came for a visit today. While she was here, she took my dad out shopping. I’m not really sure where they went or what they got, but it was very nice of her. He enjoyed his daughter/father time.
I Found God today as my sister and dad enjoyed time together.
A couple of days ago, a friend told me that her father-in-law passed away. So I went to the funeral today. One of the man’s son’s said that unfortunately, he missed being with his dad when he died. He lived in another state and drove to be with his family that evening after hearing the news. He said that as he was driving, the sun was setting and it was one of the most brilliant sunsets he had seen. As he reflected on the view, he realized that we end each day with the sunset. It is a time for winding down and thinking about the activities and work accomplished in that day. His father’s life had reached his sunset. He had completed all that God had for him to accomplish. Now it is time for resting. I thought it was a beautiful analogy.
I Found God today in a beautiful analogy of life and sunsets.
I love baking and I feel like I’m pretty good at it. People seem to really enjoy the treats I make. So, when a couple I know were celebrating their wedding anniversary and hosting a dinner, I offered to make dessert. Unfortunately, I had a very hard time and the cupcakes turned out very dense. I debated whether or not I should even bring them to the dinner last night. I did bring them and the people were very kind, but I knew they weren’t wonderful, which is what I was going for. I was very disappointed. I was talking to a friend tonight and told her the story. She said I was just being taught a lesson in humility. So true. I hadn’t thought of that and it did give me a different perspective. Perhaps I was trying to prove what a master baker I was.
I Found God today in a lesson in humility.
My mom not only plays the piano, but was a phenomenal singer as well. She doesn’t sing very much any more as her voice just isn’t what it used to be. Today she read an article that talked about how good singing is for Parkinson’s. So, she sat down at the piano and accompanied herself as she sang some Christmas carols. Later she got teary eyed as she said she now knew that God gave her musical talent to help her in her old age.
I Found God today in my mom’s gratitude to God.
As I listened to my mother play the piano today, I realized even more how much music is the way she shares who she is. It is more than playing the notes or exercising her fingers and hands. It is more than staying mentally active. As the music ebbs and flows, my mother expresses who she is. Her passion comes through in the allegros and adagios, the fortes and pianissimos of each piece. She bears her soul. It is beautiful and I am blessed to witness it daily.
I Found God today witnessing my mother in her music.
Still Finding God 