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So Far, So Good

Posted by eph21920 on May 17, 2017 in Family, Grateful, Life, Travel

It was a long day of travel today. I left my house early and took the shuttle to the airport. I think the driver was a stunt car driver in a previous life as we got to the airport in record time. After that experience, I was happy to find a quiet place to sit and eat some breakfast as I awaited my departure time. It was an expensive bowl of oatmeal and fruit, but so worth it at the time. The airplane rides were fairly non eventful, other than that seat belt sign going on every time I wanted to get up and use the restroom. My son and his girlfriend picked me up from the airport. It was wonderful to spend some relatively quiet time with them before the graduation festivities begin tomorrow. Back home, my brother took my mom to her scheduled doctor’s appointment and took copious notes. So far, so good! I am so excited for the next few days.

I Found God today in safe travels and good news from home.

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The Music Flowed

Posted by eph21920 on May 16, 2017 in Answer, Connected, Family, Grateful, Healing, Music

My mom and her friend played the piano together today as they do every Tuesday. Today they played exceptionally beautiful. As we talked about it later in the day, my mom said she could feel the difference. She continues to play best she can, but it is often a struggle. She said she get frustrated because she can’t play like she used to. But, today she said she felt like she did before. Her fingers stroked the keys with just the right touch. The dynamics of loud, soft, fast slow, were definitive. And they music just flowed. She said it has been a very long time since she felt that way. My brother, dad, and I were blessed with being able to hear what she felt.

I Found God today as my mom felt the music flowing from her and out for us to enjoy.

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St. Anthony Comes Through

Posted by eph21920 on May 15, 2017 in Answer, Faith, Family, Grateful, Miracle, Problem, Saint

Last week, my mom realized that she was missing a ring she wore to church. It was a “mother’s ring” that included the birthstones of each of her 5 children. She thought it was tight enough not to fall off and she didn’t remember taking it off herself. We called the church, but no one had turned in a ring. We prayed to St. Anthony – the patron saint of lost items – and searched the house and the car to no avail. This week at church, I stopped by the office to check again. There was no ring. I left a description of the ring hoping that it still might turn up. As I was talking to the receptionist, I told her that we prayed to St. Anthony and still didn’t find it. She encouraged me to keep it up and not to stop. I realized she was right. I shouldn’t just give up. So I prayed when I thought about it yesterday. Before I went to bed, I had conversation with St. Anthony and with God. Well, actually it was one-sided with me doing all the talking. I told them that my mom shouldn’t have to lose this meaningful ring at this point in her life. They knew where the ring was and regardless of where it was, God could make it possible for my mom to find it. When I got home from running errands this afternoon, my mom announced that she had found her ring. It was on the floor next to her nightstand. She saw something shining and there it was. Thank you St. Anthony, Thank you God.

I Found God today in a beautifully answered prayer.

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Daughter to Mother

Posted by eph21920 on May 14, 2017 in Connected, Faith, Family, Life, Relationship, Sacrifice

On this Mother’s Day, my parent’s gave me a card and wrote in it, “The daughter becomes the mother.” I guess that is true in some ways, but my mom will always be the mother. I cook, do some cleaning, and do my best to make sure everyone is taken care of. But my mom is still the loving, encouraging, matriarch of the family. As much as I try to put her first, she is selfless and always thinking of everyone else around her. The sacrifices she has made for the good of the family are innumerable and I feel many are hidden that we may never know about. She taught me faith not by preaching it, but by doing and living it. She has a private relationship with God, but connects on a level that is obvious to those who are paying attention. It would be a blessing indeed if I would become even a small resemblance of the mother that she is.

I Found God today reflecting on the blessing of my mother.

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Blessing of Siblings

Posted by eph21920 on May 13, 2017 in Family, Grateful, Job, Past, Service

My sister is getting ready to sell her house. Today my brother and other sister went to help her do some more work. My mom, dad, and I went to the Parkinson’s Support group. This is the first time that my dad has come and while it was an overwhelming amount of information, he seemed to enjoy the meeting. There was even a couple there that my parents knew from church many years ago. When my brother came back to the house after his day of work, he reported everything he and my sisters accomplished. I remembered when he came to help me get my house ready for sale just a few short years ago. We talked about the painting and taking down wallpaper. As we talked, I grew more grateful for my siblings and how supportive they are when someone is in need of help.

I Found God today in the blessing of siblings.

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Grateful for Mentors

Posted by eph21920 on May 12, 2017 in Faith, Family, Grateful, Life, Past, Priest

Today a friend of mine celebrated his 10th anniversary of being ordained a priest. He shared some pictures of the ordination on social media. As I browsed the pictures, I saw one of him with my son. At the time, my son was an altar server at the church and the priest asked if he would serve during the celebration. Seeing the photo brought back a flood of memories. I thought about how difficult that specific time was as I had gone through a divorce. I thought about the people who God put in our lives. I am so grateful especially for the mentors that helped build my son into the young man he has become. I always thought he would make a great priest. It doesn’t appear that will happen, but one never knows.

I Found God today remembering the wonderful mentors He put in my son’s life.

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Almost Finished

Posted by eph21920 on May 11, 2017 in Family, Happiness, Joy

My son called me early this morning and announced that he had completed his last class in his college career. He has some final touches to finish a couple of papers and that will be that. After 5 years, it doesn’t quite feel like reality to him yet. He told me about conversations he has had with friends as they discuss having to go out in the world and be adults. We talked about what he will be doing during his last few days in college and how to pack up his remaining items. He told me about the different regalia that he is able to wear with his cap and gown. There will be two full days of assorted celebratory events for his graduation. I am so happy that I will be able to travel and so excited to see the culmination of his hard work and accomplishments.

I Found God today getting excited for my son’s college graduation.

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Sun Shine on My Face

Posted by eph21920 on May 10, 2017 in Bible, Car, Connected, Creation, Faith, Music, Weather

The sky was overcast with thick clouds early this morning I was driving to an appointment. I was listening to the Christian radio which I always find uplifting. The song, Beautiful Day by Jamie Grace was being introduced. She said that when she was having a bad day, she would tell her father that this was just not her day. Her father responded that of course it was not her day, that this is the day the Lord has made and we should rejoice and be glad in it – a quote from Psalm 118:24. I sang along as I knew many of the lyrics. The lines came, “There’s something ’bout the way, Your sun shines on my face, It’s a love so true I can never get enough of You!” As I was singing the words, the sun broke through the clouds for a moment and shone on my face. It filled me with joy. I think I will always remember that when I feel tempted to say, “It’s just not my day.”

I found God today in a well-timed bit of sunshine.

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Old Piano Teacher

Posted by eph21920 on May 9, 2017 in Family, Friends, Humility, Love, Music, Teacher

Today my parents and I had lunch with a couple of my mom’s music friends. They were all piano teachers. While they were teaching, they also all took lessons from the same person. My mom was in her 40’s when she started learning from the older and more experienced woman. Even though my mom is an unbelievable piano player, she was humble enough to know that she didn’t know it all. She talked about how much she learned from the woman. All three of the ladies reminisced about their teacher who died a few years ago at the age of 93. One of my mom’s friend’s said that they all enjoyed training under her, but that my mom was her favorite. My mom remembered that sometimes when she played, it would bring tears to the woman’s eyes. I feel that way sometimes too.

I Found God today displayed in my mother’s humility and love for her mentor.

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He is God

Posted by eph21920 on May 8, 2017 in Answer, Bible, Faith, Jesus, Joy, Peace

I read a reflection today from Bishop Robert Barron about the image of Jesus being our “good shepherd”. Jesus Himself tells us in the Bible that is who He is. A couple of statements that struck me were, “Imagine the difference between humans and sheep; and now multiply that difference infinitely. That would give you some idea of the difference between God and humanity.”  When I pray, I try to imagine God – Jesus. I know that no matter how I try to envision Him, I cannot get it correct because He is so much more than I can wrap my head around. When I am trying to make decisions about what to do, I ask for God’s guidance. When I feel a nudge toward a certain answer, I tend to question it. When bad things happen, I get angry with God. When I make mistakes and am less than perfect, I beat myself up and feel unlovable. All of these things are the result of thinking about God as if He is a human being. The reality is that He is so different and so much more than I can imagine. It is difficult, but when I can just accept that fact, I can live more fully in joy and peace. He loves me no matter what. Bishop Robert Barron ends with, “And yet God is willing to lay down his life for the likes of us.” I say often, “Thank God He is God.”

I Found God today realizing how much different He is from me.

 

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