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Starting the Road Trip

Posted by eph21920 on May 27, 2025 in Advent, Creation, Family, Fun, Grateful

My grandson and I started on our road trip today. Our first stop was Mount Rushmore. I had seen photos of the faces lit at night and did a little research. We arrived at dusk and walked around a bit. Once it was darker, there was a presentation by a park ranger at the amphitheater. It was about the National Parks and Forests and made me appreciate more the blessing of the open spaces we have in our country. It was completely dark by this time, and a very patriotic video was shown. Towards the end, Mountain Rushmore was lit. The contrast of the dark sky with the lit sculpture was beautiful. My grandson and I had a great day with pretty good travelling weather and  look forward to the journey.

I Found God today starting an adventure with my grandson.

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Remembering

Posted by eph21920 on May 26, 2025 in Connected, Death, Faith, Prayer, Sacrifice, Service

I had my Monday visit with an elderly woman this morning. I asked her if she knew what day it was. She questioned if I meant the day of the week, or the date. I told her it was a special day. Then I showed her the booklet I brought her of patriotic poems and prayers and told her it was Memorial Day. She started talking about a time when it was scary and nobody knew exactly what was going on. She talked about men leaving and not coming home. He daughter in law said she was probably thinking about Pearl Harbor as she did remember that event. She told me about a time when she would visit people with her school. She didn’t know them, but she greeted them and talked with them. And when she was a nurse, she would help people to know they had somewhere to go. It all connected in her mind. We read some of the poems and prayers together and looked at the pictures of the Liberty Bell and Statue of Liberty. I thought it was a good way to start the day. A little later, my brother and I went to the cemetery. It was very busy with people coming and going and placing flowers and sitting and visiting. The whole entryway was adorned with flags as well as every grave. It was a time of beauty, respect, prayers and memories.

I Found God today remembering on Memorial Day.

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Sacraments Are Real

Posted by eph21920 on May 25, 2025 in Faith, Healing, Jesus, Life, Miracle, Priest, Sick

When I got to church today, I was surprised to see that the Bishop was there. The reason was that it was the parishes’ Confirmation Mass. He told an amazing story when he gave the homily. He said that during COVID, he was not yet a Bishop, but a priest caring for a parish. He lamented the loss of so many people during that time and spoke of his process of anointing the sick in the hospital – mostly just before they died. One day a parishioner’s daughter called and asked him to anoint her father who was on a ventilator in the hospital. They would be turning off the machine and were told that he would die within a few hours. The priest knew this particular man well as he would come to church in the morning an hour before work and pray. The priest went to the hospital and into the man’s room. He spoke to the man who was unable to respond. He anointed the man and left sadly. After a couple of days, he wondered what had happened to the man, when the daughter called him again. She said that her father wanted to talk to him. Needless to say, the priest was stunned. When he spoke to the man who had been near death, the man told him that when he was unresponsive, he could feel the darkness of death on one side and Jesus on the other. He was so happy and peaceful that he was ready to go with Jesus. Then the priest walked in the room. The man proceeded to tell the priest everything that happened in that room. And Jesus told him it wasn’t yet his time. The man went home shortly after they turned off the ventilator as he recovered quickly. The now Bishop relayed this story to help the Confirmation candidates and the rest of the congregation to understand that Sacraments are real. They aren’t magic, but they also are not empty words and rituals. They are true and real encounters with God.

I Found God today in a story and reminder of the reality of Sacraments.

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Walking Tess

Posted by eph21920 on May 24, 2025 in Creation, Dog, Family, Fun, Grateful, Happiness, Healing

My brother is here visiting for the long weekend. Usually he gets up before me and takes his dog Tess out for a walk. When I woke up this morning I thought it would be nice to go for a long walk first thing. I was surprised, however, when I was all ready to go and my brother had just meandered out of the bedroom looking quite tired. Evidently he didn’t sleep very well. Tess was pacing pretty frantically and my brother was still trying to wake up, so, I offered to walk her. My brother was happy to oblige. I got all the necessary dog walking supplies and off we went. Tess was elated and was a handful. But soon we got into a rhythm and she was fine. It felt good to be outside in the morning air and getting good exercise. It had been quite some time since I was able to take a long walk. And walking Tess brought an extra physical challenge. At the same time, she was so happy and fun. I was so grateful that I was physically able to do the walk and really enjoyed it.

I Found God today enjoying and being able to walk the dog.

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Getting Ready

Posted by eph21920 on May 23, 2025 in Answer, Car, Grateful, Travel

My grandson works at an auto parts store, so as I’m preparing to take a road trip, he helped me pick out some emergency equipment. Today’s weather was very nice, so I got my car cleaned out and tried out the devices. My brother arrived just in time as I was trying to figure out how the small portable air compressor worked. Once I understood how that functioned, I unboxed the battery charger and learned all about it. I charged it up so it will be ready to go too. I was able to get most of the new tools stowed away in the spare tire compartment, which was very handy. It felt good to start getting things prepared.

I Found God today preparing for a trip.

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Done with PT

Posted by eph21920 on May 22, 2025 in Answer, Doctor, Grateful, Healing, Life, Struggles

Last year, after my mom died, I think my body retaliated. I had lots of strange things such as styes in my eye, more basal skin spots, and rapid weight gain. I was also in a lot of pain – particularly in my back. My doctor gave me the treatment options, one of which was pain management. Not wanting to start on the path of medication, I chose physical therapy which I have had good results with in the past. Looking back at the calendar today, I realized I started right before Christmas. Honestly, I didn’t know if I would ever feel “normal” again or be able to function without being in so much pain. It was hard work and lots of treatment, but I finally started feeling better and stronger. Today was my last session. I was so grateful to the therapists and to my doctor who listened to me and allowed me to have PT for so long. As I left, I was encouraged and wished well.

I Found God today receiving physical healing.

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Pruned Tomato Plant

Posted by eph21920 on May 21, 2025 in Answer, Connected, Creation, Healing, New, Struggles

Several days ago, I bought a tomato plant and planted it in a pot outside. As the day went on, some of the branches were wilted. My sister realized that it had broken. She cut it off at the broken part and put the cutting in some water. It did start growing some roots, which was pretty exciting to me. Today I planted it in another pot and hope it will grow tall and strong and produce some tomatoes. Ironically, today I heard the Gospel reading in which Jesus says we must be pruned to produce fruit. As I looked at the piece of plant that we left in the pot, the part that was cut was healed over, kind of like a scar. But all around it there was new growth. I suppose it’s the same with me. I know I carry scars from past wounds that were very painful. But, I also know that I have grown in other ways. I do pray that ultimately I will be able to accomplish what God wants for me – to bear His fruit.

I Found God today in a life lesson of pruning and new growth.

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Replacing the Struggles

Posted by eph21920 on May 20, 2025 in Answer, Faith, Life, Opportunity, Prayer, Present, Problem, Struggles

Today I came across a prayer that I thought was very relevant to me, and probably to many others as well:

Replace the tension within us
with a holy relaxation.
Replace the turbulence within us
with a sacred calm.
Replace the anxiety within us
with quiet confidence.
Replace the fear within us
with a strong faith.
Replace the bitterness within us
with the sweetness of grace.
Replace the darkness within us
with a gentle light.
Replace the coldness within us
with a loving warmth.
Replace the night within us
with your day.
Replace the winter within us
with your spring.

Straighten our crookedness.
Fill our emptiness.

Dull the edge of our pride,
sharpen the edge of our humility.

Light the fires of our love,
quench the flames of our lust.

Let us see ourselves as you see us.

That we may see you as you have promised.

And be fortunate according to your Word.

“Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.”

Fr. John J. Dougherty

I Found God today in a prayer to replace my struggles with Him.

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It’s Confusing

Posted by eph21920 on May 19, 2025 in Answer, Bible, Connected, Eternity, Faith, Friends, Jesus, Knowledge, Love

Today I met with my prayer group. We looked at the Gospel reading from John 14:23-29. One of the gentlemen started off with how confusing it was to him. We talked about the concept of the Holy Trinity, and how can God the Father be greater than Jesus if they are one in the same, and many other challenging questions. After a lengthy discussion, we decided that there is no way for us humans to fully understand such things. If we believe in our God, who created all things, who always was and always will be, and who is love in itself, His being is beyond what we can comprehend. I believe I get glimpses of who God is, and those are even overwhelming to me. In the end, I trust that He is much greater than I am, that He does love me and watches over me, and that He hears my prayers. I am OK with the fact that I am not able to fully grasp His divinity.

I Found God today in not being able to comprehend His being.

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American Idol

Posted by eph21920 on May 18, 2025 in Connected, Faith, Jesus, Life, Music, Prayer

I have heard a lot about this current season of American Idol, but had not  watched it. I did see a couple videos of the Easter Praise and Worship special they did, which was quite surprising and moving. I turned the show on by accident tonight and got sucked in. It was definitely the most spiritual show on main stream media that I have seen. The contestants didn’t just thank God, they sang about Him and talked about the influence He has had on their lives. They weren’t afraid to talk about their struggles and the clips of their lives included them praying. Much of the show was really a good old fashioned Gospel revival. I was really glad I had come across the uplifting show and watched it.

I Found God today in real faith shown and sung on American Idol.

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