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Surprisingly Spiritual Day

Posted by eph21920 on September 3, 2017 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Friends, Grateful, Jesus

This afternoon, a friend and I decided to go out and about. We had no plan at all – just wanted to get out and get away for a bit. We headed North for no real reason and ended up on the highway for a bit. After a while, we got off at a small town that we knew of, but didn’t really know that much about. We drove through a couple of side streets and found a couple of antique shops that looked interesting, so we parked the car. As we headed towards the shop, we passed a fire station that had a strange metal structure on display. Upon further inspection and reading the plaque, we realized it was a remnant from the 9-11 attack. My friend put her hand on it and said a prayer for those who lost their lives that day. There were many interesting things at the antique shops and we really enjoyed perusing. Then we had dinner at a fancier than expected restaurant across the street. It was delicious. We decided to head home via a different route. As we headed up a twisting road, we saw a large church in front of us with an unusual statue resembling a crucifix of sorts. We pulled in and realized it was a Catholic church. There was actually Mass going on at that time. The church was on a large piece of land at the top of the hill and had an amazing view. As we were driving in, we saw many statues in many places, so we parked and went walking around. We found a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. My friend touched her too and said a prayer. We found the path to the unusual statue and saw that it was indeed a cross, but Jesus was off the cross and appeared to be ascending. It was striking, especially with the sun setting in the background. My friend and I always have great adventures when we are together, but it had been a very long time since our last one. We were both extremely grateful for the surprisingly spiritual day.

I Found God today as He showed my friend and I wonderful things.

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An Understanding Relationship

Posted by eph21920 on September 2, 2017 in Answer, Connected, Friends, Grateful, Relationship

A very good friend came by somewhat unexpectedly this evening. She was upset from an event that had occurred a little earlier in the day. We were able to take some time and just talk things through. She was able to get out her concerns and I was too. We understand one another. By the time she left, we were both feeling better. I am so grateful for our relationship.

I Found God today in an understanding relationship.

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Uneventful Travel

Posted by eph21920 on September 1, 2017 in Car, Family, Travel

Today I was up very early to bring my son to the airport. I never really look forward to that drive as there are always too many cars on the highway going way too fast and following way too close. It being the beginning of a holiday weekend, I figured it would be much worse. I was pleasantly surprised that the traffic was moving along at a good speed, both there and back. There were no more cars than usual – actually there seemed to be fewer.  I didn’t come across any back-ups or crazy drivers. It was almost a pleasant drive as we watched the clouds change color from the sunrise while we chatted. And I got to listen to my Christian music all the way there and back. I even made it home in time to cook breakfast for my parents. I heard from my son later that he made it safely to his destination.

I Found God today in safe, uneventful travel.

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Finally Football

Posted by eph21920 on August 31, 2017 in Children, Family, Fun, Happiness, New

My grandson has been a football fanatic for – – well, I guess his whole life. He has followed specific teams, players, and stats. A few years ago, when he was about 12, he set up a family football league. Of course, he is always in the top of the winner’s board. He has always wanted to play the game, but expense and time have prohibited that. However, now that he is starting high school, he had the opportunity to join the freshman football team. Having never played before, he has had a lot to learn. He knows how each position is supposed to maneuver, but having to actually carry that out is a different ball game so to speak. Today he played in his first game and was on the defense. We texted in the morning and I told him good luck. After the game we got on video chat. He had a great time and told me about the game, quarter by quarter. He made some great plays – even got an interception. His dad – my son – told me he was so proud of him that he cried. It was very exciting and I loved to hear and see the enthusiasm.

I Found God today as my grandson participated in something he has been wanting to do for a very long time.

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Hurricane Heroes

Posted by eph21920 on August 30, 2017 in Connected, Generosity, Hope, Life, Struggles, Weather

For days now since the hurricane pummeled Texas, there have been images and stories of heroism. People have come from other states to volunteer their time and skills. Fundraisers are popping up all over the country. Those who have resources are offering them to benefit others. “Regular” people are helping and even saving others. Even though there have been some terrible and sad things happening, the vast majority of what has been highlighted is people helping people. It is interesting that there has been no mention of racism, bigotry, political tension, etc., – all the things that the media would have us believe that is what the country is about. I believe that this situation truly portrays what happens in our country every day. Regular people help other regular people without applause, without a spotlight, without thought of the other’s race, creed, color, religion, or political view. That is truly how our lives can make a difference.

I Found God today seeing so much good coming from so many people.

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Pair of Photographers

Posted by eph21920 on August 29, 2017 in Connected, Family, Food, Friends, Fun, Laughter

A friend of mine, along with her brother and sister, went to Wyoming last week to view the eclipse. A few days later, she shared some amazing pictures that her brother took using his telescope. I thought they were truly spectacular. I showed them to my dad who was equally as impressed and wondered what kind of equipment he had and how he had it set up. So, we had them over for dinner tonight. My dad and the photographer had quite the conversation about photography and astronomy – two of my dad’s favorite topics. While they got into the details, my friend and I visited and laughed a lot as usual. It was a wonderful evening of good food, wonderful company, and great conversation.

I Found God today in friends, food, and fun.

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Book Re-gifted

Posted by eph21920 on August 28, 2017 in Connected, Family, Home, Love

Today I read a beautiful story from a friend. Her grandparents gave her a book titled, “Dear God Kids – Our Family”, on her 7th birthday. As time went on, the book disappeared, and she thought it was gone forever. That wasn’t the case. Here is her story:

“Yesterday for my birthday, I received a gift from my parents that means so much to me there are no words. Exactly 30 years ago yesterday my Grandparents gave me this book, Papa is still alive and Nana is with the Angels . I thought I had lost this book or that it may have been donated, but no. My parents had saved this book all these years.. After 21 years (yesterday) my family and I came back “home” to my late Nana’s cottage and it felt like nothing has changed. The cover of the book says it all. They gave me this book so that we can put the new ( aka start new) memories of our “home” and still keep the old memories.”

I Found God today in a beautiful story of family love.

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Growing Faith

Posted by eph21920 on August 27, 2017 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Hope, Life, Prayer, Relationship

At church today, the priest talked about how faith is – should be – always growing. He talked about how we judge our own faith in different circumstances. Perhaps there are times in our lives when our faith is strong, we feel very connected to God. Then something may happen and we question that relationship. At that time, we can trust the faith we had was real and be able to work through the current situation allowing God to guide us. If we can do that, our faith will grow. Or we can dismiss our faith and leave it aside, going about doing things our own way. If we do that, our faith becomes stagnant, or perhaps dwindles. This all made so much sense to me. Having a relationship with God takes work – just as any relationship does. I cannot expect my faith to be a one time experience and then I’m good forever. If I want to live my days in peace, joy, love, patience, etc., I need to be present with God every day. I’m not so good at living those virtues on my own – I welcome God’s grace, mercy, and love to help me through.

I Found God today as I was reminded that faith is a constant growing process.

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Watching Bats

Posted by eph21920 on August 26, 2017 in Creation

We made a trip up to the cabin this afternoon and it was beautiful as usual. As the sun disappeared behind the mountain, the few clouds that lingered seemed to be on fire. I put on my sweatshirt, grabbed a chair, and sat out on the deck to watch. The orange sky gradually grew darker and the crescent moon got brighter. Suddenly something flew right in front of my face. It was very small and made no sound at all. As I sat there wondering if it was a bird or a bat, I saw another one flying across in front of me. Definitely a bat. The sky was clear and still a little bright, and as I sat several little bats flew back and forth. They were little shadows against the darkening sky. At one point, my brother came outside and one flew right by him, but he didn’t see it. I told him about the bats and another one came by, but he didn’t see that one either. Finally he saw one flying across the horizon. It was true – there really were bats flying around. I enjoyed watching them flit about. That was something I had not done in many years.

I Found God today enjoying the nighttime wildlife.

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Broken Things

Posted by eph21920 on August 25, 2017 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Friends, Music, Saint

This morning when I was out driving, the song, “Broken Things” by Matthew West came on. It is one of my new favorite songs because it is about how God can work through each one of us – regardless of our condition. We only need to allow Him to. I often think of the saints and the amazing things they did. One of the prayers that I try to say daily includes asking God to help me be a saint. I think of how I fail every single day and how far I am from that. I can be pretty good at beating myself up for not being perfect. The song helps me to remember that so many holy people struggled in their lives and may not have even had a desire to know God to begin with. As the song goes, “The pages of history they tell me it’s true; That it’s never the perfect; it’s always the ones with the scars that You use”

I went out again this afternoon, and this was the first song that played. Then the next time I opened Facebook, a friend has posted the lyrics from the song, “Now I’m just a beggar in the presence of a king; I wish I could bring You so much more; But if it’s true, You use broken things; Then here I am Lord I am yours!”  I think God is trying to tell me something…

I Found God today in repetitive encouraging words.

 

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