Leave a comment

New Ears

Both of my parents had an appointment to get new hearing aids a few weeks ago. Then my mom ended up in the hospital. During that time, my dad realized how much he was struggling with his ability to hear and my sister took him to get his new devices. Since then, he has been trying to get used to them, but there has been such a huge improvement in his hearing. Today my mom was able to get her new hearing aids. I did the same thing with her as with my dad – “Did you hear that? Can your hear this?” In the car, she heard a clicking sound that she didn’t recognize – it was the blinker. I thought about how difficult it must be for both my parents as they navigate through unable to hear what I take for granted. I am so happy that they have these new devices to help bring some of the missing world back to them.

I Found God today in the capability of my parents to be able to hear better and enjoy more of the world around them.

2 Comments

Where Baby’s Come From

Of course things are much different now from the time my parents were growing up in the 1930’s and 40’s. And they never tire of talking about the comparisons. My mom told me this funny story today. She was remembering when her younger brother was born. She was almost 7 years old. My mom and her siblings got ready in the morning to go to school and the doctor was at the house. Her father told them that the doctor had their new baby in his little black bag and that the baby would be there when they came home for lunch. When they arrived home for lunch, sure enough, there was the new baby. We all had a good laugh.

I Found God today in a funny story that revealed the ever changing world we live in.

Leave a comment

Old Prayer List

Today I went through a box that had yet to be unpacked. I pulled out some pictures, statues, and other nick-knacks. Then I came across a small tote bag that had some books and prayer cards in it. Included in the bag was a journal. I seem to start journals here and there, so I am never sure what I have written in one. This particular journal held my prayer list. I remember starting it when I promised people I would pray for them. I wanted to make sure I was keeping my word, so I started writing them down. As I went through the list, I realized that some issues that I prayed for were resolved and now distant memories. Many were simply names of people. I am going to try to keep this one going. It helps me to be more connected to the people I care for and more connected to God as when I look back, I can see how His gentle hand has been at work.

I Found God today in answered prayers and resolving to continue praying for those I care for.

Leave a comment

Almost There

For several years, my son and I would spend a few days each summer at a Christian music festival. It was held outdoors on the side of a mountain and was such a gorgeous setting. There were several stages with several bands. We had fun planning our time so we could see our favorite artists. It was wonderful to be in such an uplifting environment with people, both on stage and off, who were connecting with God and doing their best to live accordingly. I would come away from the festival having a little more understanding of God and feeling rejuvenated. This was one of our favorite events and we looked forward to it every year. Sadly, we live very far from each other now. This year, my son found a similar festival close to where he lives. He and his girlfriend have been going for the past 3 days. Each day he has been sending me pictures of some of our favorite musicians. I have been very happy that he thought to do this and happy to live vicariously through him. I almost felt as if I was there.

I Found God today feeling connected to my son as he enjoys a Christian music festival.

Leave a comment

Be the Best Me

I am inspired by learning about the lives of those people we call “saints”. They seemed to have such a strong and beautiful connection with God. The majority of them also suffered a lot during their lives. I tend to put a lot of expectations on myself. As I read more about the saints, I realize how imperfect I am wonder if God is asking me to do more than I am. I can put even more pressure on myself. I was so grateful to talk to my spiritual director who opened a book to these words by Thomas Merton, “For me to be a saint means to be myself.” He reminded me that there is only 1 of me. Like every other person, we each have unique relationships and will make a unique contribution to life. That sounds a lot easier than trying to be who I am not.

I Found God today in a reminder to be the best me I can be.

Leave a comment

Loving Grandson

Yesterday, my son surprised me with a video chat. It was so wonderful to hear and see him, his wife, and my grandchildren. My almost 1 year old granddaughter caught on after a bit and started waving and saying, “HI!” My parents and I were able to tell my grandson happy birthday as his birthday is today. I have seen many pictures and videos of him with his little sister. Of course, it was even more enjoyable to see it in real time. He just loves her. He seems to be at her beckoned call as he got what she wanted and tried to help her do her “baby tricks”. It was adorable. My joy of seeing them overflowed into today. Even though I am not there physically, the thought of the family celebrating a birthday together made me happy instead of sad. I am so grateful for that.

I Found God today in my grandson and in joy thinking about the family celebration instead of sadness.

Leave a comment

Future Policeman

My dad has been trying to get the garage door serviced for weeks now. The first time it was scheduled, the serviceman had to cancel as he had a sick child. So we rescheduled. My mom was in the hospital on the date of the second appointment, so we cancelled and rescheduled. The third time, the company called us back again apologizing that the serviceman had a sick child at home. Finally today, a young man showed up on time and completed the work. When he was finished, my dad and I tested everything out and my dad invited him in while he went to get his checkbook. I asked the young man if he was the one with the sick child. He said no, but his co-worker with the sick child was a single dad with 3 kids and going through a very hard time of it. He said the company was trying very hard to work with him as they did not want to let him go. He said he was going to visit him after work to see how he was doing. Then the young man noticed some of the beer steins that my parents collected. He asked if we had been in Germany. I told him we were there as my dad was in the military and stationed there. He was also in the military and stationed in Germany. My dad came into the room and they chatted a little about the military. The young man was so respectful and polite with his, “Yes, sir’s”. He was in the army and would go into the field and search for IED’s. He said he was hit 4 times – the first 2 times were not bad, the 3rd time he was unconscious for 20 minutes, the 4th time he was out for 2 hours. He decided he better stop after that before he was out for good. He said he wanted to be a police officer. My dad tried to deter him saying what a difficult and dangerous way to make a living. But the young man persisted. He said our country was in need of policemen especially now. Before he left, I thanked him for his service and encouraged him to pursue his passion and be one of the good cops. I suppose it is appropriate at this time to note that I am white and he was black. I intend to keep him and his single dad co-worker in my prayers.

I Found God today in an incredibly respectful, caring, and compassionate young man.

2 Comments

Not A System – A Marriage

Today the occupational therapist visited the house. She talked to my mom about helping her get back to doing the regular things she does around the house. One concern that was brought up last week was the height of the bed. My parents have an old 4-poster bed that has been their possession since early on in their 64 year marriage. Some work was done to the frame so it would hold a very large, comfortable mattress. At this point, it was difficult – if not impossible – for my mom to get in and out of it by herself. My dad is a sentimental man and did not want to have to remove the bed. But, a few days ago, we took the frame apart and set the box springs and mattress on the floor. This put it at just the right height for my mom to get in and out with no problem. We were able to keep the headboard in place, so part of their old bed is still there. This was a big sacrifice for my dad. My mom showed the new style bed to the occupational therapist who was glad that it was a safer option. The two of them went through some chores that my mom usually does. My dad was right there to demonstrate how he does his part as well. At the end of the visit, the therapist said that they have a good system in place. My dad responded with, “I don’t call it a system, I call it a marriage.”  Beautiful.

I Found God today in a wonderful witness to the beauty of marriage.

Leave a comment

Rowing With Both Oars

I often have a problem with being very busy and not spending enough time talking with God. I can always find things that need to be done, but am not always good at making time for prayer, meditation, and/or reading things that are good for the soul. Then I begin to lose my peace. The scripture reading at church today was Luke 10:38-42; the story of the opposition between worker Martha and her sister Mary who prefers to sit at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words. Jesus tells Martha that she is worried and anxious about many things, and that there is need of only one thing – that which Mary has chosen. The priest told a story of a young monk who was troubled with the order’s motto of, “Pray and Work”. One day the abbot took the young monk out to the water and got into a rowboat. The abbot started rowing with only one oar. The boat simply went around in circles. The monk told that abbot that he needed to used both oars in order for them to get anywhere. The abbot responded saying that the left oar was prayer and the right oar was work. There needed to be an equal use of both in order to progress spiritually. The priest challenged us to think about our own spiritual lives and questioned if we were getting anywhere. It was a pretty clear message to me.

I Found God today in a reminder that I need to spend more time with Him.

Leave a comment

God’s Still Here

When I used to go with groups of youth and adults to Workcamp for a week, each day we would talk about where we saw God in that day. A friend of mine shared a couple of “God Sightings” with me today. One of them was about a friend of his who was driving on the highway in a rainstorm when the car started spinning out of control right in front of a truck. Evidently it took several different spins heading in different directions. She said the whole time she was screaming and calling on God to help her through. The car finally came to a stop facing forward and she was able to pull it over to the edge of the road. There were no collisions, no harm done at all. The truck drive and another person who was in front of her stopped to check on her. They said she had an angel watching over her. The second “God Sighting” was as my friend was driving and thinking about the tragedies that we have been inundated with, one of the Workcamp songs came on his iPod shuffle of 4500 songs. It was “You Never Let Go” by Matt Redman. Both of these stories were good reminders that God is still with us and that He continues to try to get our attention.

I Found God today in 2 great stories shared by a friend.