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Connecting Over Coffee

Posted by eph21920 on April 27, 2018 in Connected, Family, Life, Stranger

My sister took my dad out to coffee today. As they sat down to enjoy their drinks, they overheard the man next to them saying that he worked at the same place my dad used to work. My dad told the man that he worked there as well. The man and his wife, my sister and my dad all got together and chatted. They talked about work, marriage, children, grand children, the art of genealogy, the military, and more. The man and my dad even had the same first name and their families originated from the same country. The connections they had were amazing and they enjoyed talking for a very long time.

I Found God today in a connection my dad made with a stranger.

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False Alarm

Posted by eph21920 on April 26, 2018 in Answer, Death, Life, Opportunity

Today I took my mom to physical therapy. While we were there, we received an Amber Alert, so the phones and such were all making the alarm sound. One of the therapists said that always makes her afraid. She said she was on vacation in Hawaii when the false alarm was sent to everyone that a missile was on it’s way. She happened to be out hiking at the time. She tried calling her parents and relatives who were near by, and was able to speak to them a little bit, but the connections kept cutting her off. Many of the people around her were unconcerned, but she was in a panic. Since she is Italian, she said she has a healthy fear of death and God. And she did start to try to barter with Him. A man came running down the mountain who had on a military shirt, so she stopped him and asked him if the warning was for real. He said he was going to find out and that she should wait for him to come back. She thought that was kind of crazy, but she did. When he returned, he assured her that it was a false alarm. Together they finished climbing the mountain. She said the rest of the vacation was amazing – since she had cheated death. Everything she saw was extra beautiful. She said even now she doesn’t get upset by the little things – that she truly does have a new perspective on life. I thought it was a great story that was so telling of how a near death experience can change lives.

I Found God today in the story of  a near death experience.

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Blessings Shared

Posted by eph21920 on April 24, 2018 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Hope, Miracle, Prayer

A few weeks ago, I learned that a friend’s mother was diagnosed with cancer again. Unfortunately, the illness took over. My friend was able to bring her mom to her home and she is receiving hospice care. My friend has been writing daily about the small blessings the family is experiencing during this difficult time. Today she talked about how her mother would pray the rosary especially for the children who were no longer active in their faith. She was encouraged to do this by her parish priest. My friend’s husband was able to get the mom’s favorite large garden statue of Mary and put it in a place where she could see it from her bed. During the past couple of days, a particular sibling who has been away from the church has been making it a point to pray the rosary with his mother. Such beautiful blessings the family is receiving and giving as my friend shares these intimate moments.

I Found God today in prayers answered and blessings shared.

 

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Inspired to Play

Posted by eph21920 on April 23, 2018 in Connected, Music, Youth

There are some wonderful young people who help during my mom’s exercise class. They are students working towards medical degrees. They prepare some of the exercise stations for the class and act as spotters. They also talk with the participants and form great relationships with them. Today  one of the girls said she played the piano over the weekend and thought of my mom. She said my mom inspires her. That was pretty touching.

I Found God today in a thoughtful young woman.

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Pope and the Boy

Posted by eph21920 on April 22, 2018 in Answer, Death, Faith, Grief, Pope

I saw a video today of Pope Francis who was taking questions from children. A boy came to the microphone but was too upset to ask the question. Pope Francis had the boy come right up to him, gave him a big hug, and consoled him as he wept. The boy and the pope had a few moments to talk privately, without anyone hearing the conversation. When they had finished and the boy returned to his seat, Pope Francis said that the boy gave permission to talk about his question. It turns out that the boy’s father died a short time ago. He was an atheist, but he allowed his 4 children to be baptized. The boy said his father was a good man, but he was worried that his father would not be in Heaven. Pope Francis said that God would not turn His back on His children and encouraged the boy to pray for his father. It was a loving answer to a difficult question. You can see the touching video here.

I Found God today in Pope Francis’ loving interaction with a hurting boy.

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Eye of the Storm

Posted by eph21920 on April 21, 2018 in Faith, Hope, Life, Music, Struggles, Trust

I was listening to music today and the song, “Eye of the Storm”, came on by Ryan Stevenson. It is about relying on and trusting in God when circumstances are beyond your control. I had heard the song several times and noticed that in one verse, the words can change. One time I heard, “. . . when a sickness takes my child away and there’s nothing I can do . . .” and another, “. . . when addiction steals my baby girl and there’s nothing I can do . . . ” Since I was on my computer, I looked it up. I found that the artist was a paramedic for 8 years and saw the hardest part of life out on the streets during this time. He had friends who struggled through difficulties. And his wife had a miscarriage of their twins during her pregnancy. He has a beautiful testimony and is a touching song writer in my opinion. You can read the whole story and find the song here. 

I Found God today in a wonderful song with an encouraging story behind it.

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Dad’s Dating Love

Posted by eph21920 on April 20, 2018 in Family, Life, Love, Marriage

This morning my mom read a meditation for the day from the Jesus Always book by Sarah Young. Then realized she hadn’t read the one for yesterday – their wedding anniversary. She read the first line and laughed saying that it sounded just like my dad when they were dating. It said, “You love me because I first loved you. I had my eye on you long before you were interested in me. I noticed everything about you and followed you everywhere. I orchestrated circumstances and events in your life to help you see your need of me. …. I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Even though this meditation was about God’s love, it sure was fitting for my parent’s anniversary.

I Found God today in a very fitting reading about love.

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Long Marriage

Posted by eph21920 on April 19, 2018 in Family, Life, Love, Marriage

My parents celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary today. I made sure to tell the physical therapist when I took my mom this morning. The 2 therapists in their late twenties who were working with my mom were very impressed. They asked my mom what the secret was. She gave her standard answer, “Just be nice to each other.” One of the therapists responded that you first have to find someone that you want to be nice to for a very long time. We talked about relationships and how marriage is a conscious choice to love. The “in love” feeling can go away and problems arise, but a married love is the commitment to be there for and take care of the other person. Unfortunately, this seems very hard to come by. The young adults talked about how most of the people they know are not married, but some have children by different partners. People truly want a loving, committed relationship, but don’t seem to be able to make it happen, which leaves us sad and hurt. Then we end up fearful and not wanting to trust. My parents grew up in a different time for sure, but it was more supportive of a long term marriage. The most beautiful thing that I find in my parent’s marriage is that even though they struggle with their short term memory, they remember and reminisce about when they were young together and the many years they have spent together. We did much of that when we went to dinner to celebrate.

I Found God today appreciating my parent’s long marriage.

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Ring in the Trash

Posted by eph21920 on April 18, 2018 in Answer, Faith, Friends, Grateful, Miracle

Today a friend told me about a “God Sighting” she had. On Sunday, she was getting ready for church and took off her ring to put on lotion. The ring is made from a diamond that belonged to her grandmother. At church, she realized she didn’t have the ring on and made a mental note to look for it when she got home. Once home, she and her husband searched the house to no avail. She thought it may have accidentally ended up on the trash which bad been gathered up and put in the large can for collection the next day. She meticulously went through the large trash bag taking items out one at a time, even sifting through the mushy gunk at the bottom. Still no luck. She went to bed that night praying for God’s help to find the only heirloom that she owned. The next morning she decided to sift through the trash one more time before it went out to the curb. She started taking items out again one at a time. Suddenly, she saw something shiny. There was the ring sitting on top of the pile, as clean and shiny as new. Needless to say, my friend was elated and praised God the rest of the day for his goodness.

I Found God today in miraculous help.

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Surprise Luxury

Posted by eph21920 on April 17, 2018 in Humility, Joy, Opportunity

Today my mom’s friend came over as usual to visit and play the piano. One of the ladies in the neighborhood loves listening to them play, so they invited her over. She is just a lovely person who has always been very sweet and helpful to us and people in the neighborhood. She brought a vase of flowers with her – a little sunshine for the house. She told us about her recent birthday. Her daughter purchased a room for her and her husband at the fanciest hotel in the city. It is something she never would have done for herself. When she arrived, she was taken to the penthouse. The hotel has upgraded the room which was a complete surprise to them. She described the view of the city on one side and the nature scene on the other. She said she didn’t sleep very well as she just wanted to enjoy the luxury. She was very humbled by the opportunity and pampering she received. I was glad she enjoyed her much deserved get away.

I Found God today hearing how a friend humbly enjoyed a get away.

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