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Washing Feet

Posted by eph21920 on September 7, 2016 in Answer, Joy, Service

There are a few amenities at my mom’s rehab facility. One of them is the opportunity to receive a manicure and a pedicure. I asked my mom if she wanted to get an appointment and she said that sounded very nice, so I got it set up for her. When my dad and I arrived for a visit this afternoon, my mom was sitting in the recliner. At her feet was a woman kneeling on the floor working on her toenails. We chatted a little as the woman worked. After a while, she filled a small tub with water for my mom to put her feet in. Then she started gently washing my mom’s feet. I was suddenly transported to the scene in the Bible when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. He was serving them and teaching them (and us) that we should be in service of one another. If we love one another, we show it by taking care of each other. During our chat, I learned that the woman had another job, but started doing manicures and pedicures to people in facilities to “give back”. She found that she loved doing it. In serving, she found her own joy.

I Found God today in a woman serving my mother.

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Recovery Turning Point

Posted by eph21920 on September 6, 2016 in Family, Healing

My mom had a fairly quiet long weekend at the rehab center, only having a bit of therapy yesterday. Evidently, the rest did her well. Today everything was back in full force. When I went to visit her this morning, she walked with her walker further than she has before. She was taking good long steps and very sturdy on her feet. The therapist gave her the ok to walk with me instead of having to call for assistance every time she wants to move about. That was a huge milestone. Later tonight my dad and I joined my mom for dinner. She talked about how much work she did during the day and how tired she was. But it was too early to go to bed. Down at the end of the hall is a room with games and puzzles. I noticed one of our favorite games Sorry was in there, so I asked if she wanted to go down and play a game. I offered to take her down in the wheelchair, but was surprised to hear her say she wanted to walk. I wasn’t sure how the game would go, but given enough time, she played along just fine. The whole day felt like an amazing turning point in her recovery.

I Found God today in a day full of promise in my mom’s recovery.

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Serenade

Posted by eph21920 on September 5, 2016 in Family, Love, Music

Tonight my dad, a good friend of my mom’s, and I joined my mom for dinner at the rehab facility. A violinist came and played while we ate. My parents knew most of the songs and sang along to a few. When my dad leaned over to my mom and sang to her, it was just a beautiful sight.

I Found God today in the love my parents express and share with one another.

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Another Impact of St. Teresa

Posted by eph21920 on September 4, 2016 in Connected, Faith, Life, Saint

I started watching EWTN early this morning awaiting the coverage of the canonization of Mother Teresa. The station was interviewing different people who had contact with Mother Teresa. I recognized one of them as a woman I had met while I was working for a parish. Her name is Susan Conroy. She was a speaker at one of the pro-life rallies that our church hosted. When she came to my office on the cold winter morning, I met her at the door. As we turned to go in, a young woman came up asking about the food pantry. I told her when the pantry was open later that day so she could get what she needed. Before she left, Susan gave the young woman her coat. She said she looked cold and she had another one. The young woman’s eyes welled with tears as she thanked her. I was moved as well. Later, Susan talked about her meeting and working with Mother Teresa and showed us a picture that she had drawn. I am glad that I have a copy of the picture tucked away. This is her explanation of the drawing in her words from her website where you can see the picture and read more:

“Mother Teresa herself asked me to create this special drawing of a little child carved in the Palm of God’s Hand. She wanted me to include this beautiful passage from the Old Testament in which God says to each one of us, through the Prophet Isaiah: See! I will not forget you. I have carved you on the palm of My hand. I have called you by your name. You are mine. You are precious to Me. I love you. Isaiah 49:16. Mother Teresa wrote on each of the fingers of God’s Hand: “You did it to Me” to remind us of the Words that Jesus said – “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, that you do unto Me.”

I Found God today thinking about the impact now Saint Teresa of Calcutta had on so many people and how they pass that along to others.

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He Met Mother Teresa

Posted by eph21920 on September 3, 2016 in Faith, Friends, Opportunity, Saint

While I was working at a retail store almost 30 years ago, I had a great group of friends. One of them we always called “Father” because we thought he would make a good priest. Sure enough, that is exactly what happened. He was in seminary in Rome for a few years and while there he had the opportunity to meet Pope Saint John Paul II and Mother Teresa who will be canonized a saint tomorrow. He shared some pictures of a time when he met Mother Teresa and wrote about it:

“When I was in seminary, studying theology to become a priest I met Mother Teresa several times, but only three times did I have the chance to talk with her. She was so tiny. It was like talking with with someone I’d always known (same with when I met Pope Saint John Paul II). These pictures were taken right after my father died. That day we offered Mass for my dad in a chapel inside the Vatican. Mother Teresa was present and prayed for my dad’s soul. Afterward she signed the Mass card which I still have. I guess that card is a second class relic now! She asked me when I would be ordained a priest. She told me that I have to come to India some day and say Mass for her sisters.”

My heart was moved by this special moment my friend was able to have, to recall, and to share. What a blessing.

I Found God today in a blessed moment shared by a friend.

 

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Strange Delay

Posted by eph21920 on September 2, 2016 in Grateful, Life, Patience, Shopping

Today I visited my mom for a bit, then decided to run a few errands before lunch. I had one more place to go and was starting to get hungry, but thought I could run into the store real quick. I had a list which is always helpful and told myself I wouldn’t browse. I picked up the things I needed and checked out. I tucked my reading glasses into my wallet and headed out the door. When I got to my car, I put the wallet in the trunk and then put the bags in. I grabbed my wallet and noticed my glasses were no longer there. I tore apart all the bags and moved them from one side of the trunk to the other – nothing. I looked all over in the cart to no avail. Then I retraced my footsteps – twice. They were nowhere to be found. I couldn’t believe I lost them in such a short time and distance and couldn’t locate them. I thought perhaps someone had found them and turned them in so I went to the service desk. They were not there, but I left my name and number just in case. Now, I need my reading glasses if I am to function without squinting and getting a headache. I begrudgingly decided I had better just buy another pair while I was in the store, all the while getting hungrier and hungrier. I tried on a couple to make sure they would work and purchased them. I was finally on my way home for lunch. As I pulled out of the parking space, I scoured the area around the car and still saw nothing. When I was almost home, the phone rang. It was the store – someone had found my glasses and turned them in. Weird. I don’t know why there was this seemingly ridiculous delay in getting home for lunch, but I thanked God for it.

I Found God today in a strange delay that I figured must have been for my own good.

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He’s In The Navy Now

Posted by eph21920 on September 1, 2016 in Answer, Family, Life, Opportunity

My nephew graduated from high school last year. Since then, he has worked assorted jobs and tried college classes, but hasn’t found anything that he has been overly excited about. Several weeks ago, he started looking into the military. He talked to assorted recruiters, my dad who was in the Air Force, my brother-in-law who was in the Army, and others. After much consideration, he decided the Navy might be the best choice for him. He completed the application, took the vocational aptitude test, and today completed the physical and additional testing. He said it was a very long day, but at the end he took his oath of enlistment. My sister was able to be there as he spoke the words. Of course it was very emotional for her – maybe a little for him too. He has a few months before he is off to boot camp, so they both have some time to adjust to the whole idea. Of all the things I thought of for my nephew’s future, the possibility of joining the Navy never came to mind. He pursued the idea on his own, followed through, and now we have another military man in the family. I am very proud that he has made this decision and that he will be using his gifts and talents to benefit our country.

I Found God today as my nephew reached a pivotal point in his life.

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Pick a Card

Posted by eph21920 on August 31, 2016 in Faith, Friends, Hope

Today a friend told me that a customer came into the place where she works and spread out a bunch of cards face down. He told her to pick one. She smiled, and he must have been pleased, as he then offered her two. She flipped the cards over. One had the scripture verse on it about love from 1 Corinthians – “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, Love never fails.” The second one said, “My prayer for you … God’s peace in anxious times, God’s love in heartbroken times, God’s hope in uncertain times.” She said she thought of me and shared pictures of them. I was visiting my mom when I received the pictures and shared them with my mom and dad too. I read them slowly a couple of times as we pondered the words. They were beautiful and lightened my heart for sure. I imagine it did the same for my mom as she said how nice that was of my friend. It was such a thoughtful thing to do.

I Found God today in a thoughtful friend and beautiful words of love and hope.

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Do Not Worry

Posted by eph21920 on August 30, 2016 in Answer, Bible, Faith

I have been reading scripture every day and today’s really spoke to my heart. I hope it will encourage you too.

Luke 12:22-32   He said to [his] disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds! Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your life-span? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides. Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. 

I Found God today in peace in His Word.

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Rain Poncho

Posted by eph21920 on August 29, 2016 in Connected, Friends, Grateful, Sick, Struggles, Trust

The other day I was happy to get a call from one of the neighbor ladies asking if I wanted to go for a walk with her and her friend. I met them in the park today and despite the thunder and threatening clouds, we started on our way. They didn’t know the details of my mom’s condition. As we walked I told them about everything that has happened in the past few weeks. Both the women are a bit older than me and talked about their own experiences in making decisions and caring for their aging parents. I realized that every individual journey is personally unique. But also, the struggle of aging and caring for elderly loved ones is very much the same. It is very complex. In some ways, I wonder if we as a society have made it more complex than it should be. It was good to hear their stories and know that they understood my challenges and feelings. One of the ladies said the same words as the one I met a few days ago – “you won’t regret being here for them”. We had almost made it back to the car when the skies opened up. I pulled out my rain poncho and as I covered myself up, I thought that this is really what I really want – a cover for my mom to keep her safe, warm, and protected. I am still praying and trusting that God is my mom’s poncho.

I Found God today in understanding women and another way to think of God.

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