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Simple Beauty

Posted by eph21920 on September 2, 2024 in Creation, Grateful, Joy, Present

As part of my new routine, I have decided to walk every day. This evening I walked as the sun was low in the sky. The Black-eyed Susans, which look like mini sunflowers, grow wild in the fields and were in full bloom running right along the sidewalk. As I was enjoying them I caught a glimpse of something red contrasting the yellows and greens. It was a lady bug. I stopped to look at it and saw another one. Then another and another. There were many ladybugs on the flowers and stems. I paused to take in the scenery and take a few pictures. I was grateful for the joy I received in this simple beauty.

I Found God today in the beauty of His creation.

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God Does Not Love

Posted by eph21920 on September 1, 2024 in Children, Creation, Family, Homeless, Humility, Job, Life, Pope, Priest

We had a guest priest at church today. He was from the poorest Diocese in Kentucky and was asked to be a missionary. He was very exuberant and it was easy to see why he was chosen for the job. Before he became a priest he was an actor and musician and was even in Broadway. He didn’t explain what turned him to the priesthood. He lived in the Vatican and took classes there for 3 years. On his last day, as he was leaving, he encountered Pope Francis who gave him the white beanie from his head (he actually showed it to us) and told him to remind people that God is always with them. He told a story of being approached by a homeless young man when he was in Washington DC after speaking to the Congress. The young man asked if he had any money, but the priest doesn’t carry money. He asked the young man if he was hungry and he replied that he was. The priest invited him to be his dinner guest and they proceeded to the nearest restaurant. The door was opened at the 5 star restaurant and the priest was welcomed. However, the door was shut on the homeless man. The priest explained that the man was his guest. After a few minutes, the restaurant ushered the priest and the young man into the janitor closet where they had set up a card table and were served on paper plates while sitting amongst the cleaning supplies. The priest said he was never more humiliated and embarrassed for his guest. He tried to make light of the situation and asked the young man his name and if he could take a selfie with him. The man lit up like he just won the lottery. The priest asked why he was so excited. The man replied that it meant that he was someone. He was being treated like a person. We were all encouraged to remember that the same God who made each of us also made that young man and others like him. The priest repeated: There is no one that you look at that God does not love. This story really hit home to me as my son just got a job working for a staffing company. Part of what they do is to help those who are down and out to find daily work. My son said that one of the workers commented the other day that they will show up because my son doesn’t dismiss them and treats them like people. My heart was moved all the way up to my teary eyes.

I Found God today in witnesses of those who treat others as children of God.

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Staying Strong

Posted by eph21920 on August 31, 2024 in Answer, Family, Life, Love, Relationship, Struggles

Today I spent some time with my brother in law. He’s finishing getting things wrapped up here and will be going back to Florida with my sister permanently. It’s been a long road for them since they decided to purchase a house out there. Things did not exactly go as planned. And of course it was completely unexpected for my sister to get so sick several months ago. But through it all, the only thing he has cared about is her health and welfare. We talked about the different decisions and plans they made during their relationship and marriage as they will celebrate their 30 year anniversary in a few days. We talked about the different opportunities that different people are given and how important it is to recognize them. I remembered hearing in a meditation from St. Ignatius that God doesn’t orchestrate our entire lives. He may present us with opportunities and the decisions we make are our own. But we can make those decisions with confidence, trusting that God is in them. He will be there – here – for us no matter what. That is comforting to me. Even though things didn’t go as planned for my sister and her husband, their relationship is still strong and loving. And that is what matters.

I Found God today in my loving brother-in-law.

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Future Letter

Posted by eph21920 on August 30, 2024 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Grief, Healing, Life, Past, Present

Today I was updating and clearing out some things in my computer. I came across a letter that I had written to myself 2 years ago after my father died. It was a letter of encouragement. I don’t remember writing the letter at all, but that isn’t really surprising. I’m sure it was an exercise in one of the grief support groups that I went to. In the letter I told myself that I did the best I could and that I was still making progress in patience, faith, and caring for myself. It was like I could read my future mind. I did appreciate the letter and left it to find again another day. It gave me hope for my current self and my future self.

I Found God today in a future letter of encouragement to myself.

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Pinks, Peace, and Prayer

Posted by eph21920 on August 29, 2024 in Creation, Fun, Grace, Peace, Prayer

A friend came over to the house this evening and we sat outside on the porch to visit. The sky was full of a variety of clouds. Some were low and flat, others were higher or puffy. And there was an occasional piece of blue sky that peeked through. There was no wind and a sporadic sprinkling of rain. It was very peaceful. As the sun set, assorted clouds turned bright pinks, then pastels, then dark. Before my friend left, we prayed together starting by thanking God for the beautiful scene. It was a blessed time.

I Found God today in His beauty and peace.

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Supportive Relationships

Posted by eph21920 on August 28, 2024 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Friends, Grateful, Healing, Life, Love, Relationship, Struggles

Recently there have been some situations that I have really been struggling with. I was blessed today to meet with my counselor, visit with a friend and priest, and pray with my prayer group. I didn’t really intend for that all to be on the same day, but that’s what happened. I guess God knew what I needed. I was able to talk through some things in different ways and felt incredibly supported and loved in each relationship.

I Found God today in loving, supportive relationships.

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Fearless Love and Evangelization

Posted by eph21920 on August 27, 2024 in Answer, Friends, Generosity, Grace, Life, Love, Stranger

When my friend from out of state was here, she told me about an event that happened in our church during Lent this year. I believe it was Good Friday. During the celebration, a young woman who had settled into her space and presumed homeless started being disruptive. Instead of having someone escort her out of the building, she said one of our friends went over to her, sat with her, gave her her own coat, and calmed her down. I touched base with that friend who said she recognized the signs of detoxing and that all she needed was some water and TLC. Then she told me the rest of the story. After the celebration in church, another family from the parish brought the girl into their home. They helped her get sober and taught her about the Catholic faith. They gave her another chance at life. The girl decided to become Catholic and entered into the Church. It was a beautiful story of fearless love and is exactly what being a Christian should look like.

I Found God today in fearless love and evangelization.

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Best at the Time

Posted by eph21920 on August 26, 2024 in Answer, Family, Friends, Grateful, Grief, Past

I still struggle with thoughts that I could have done better for my mom and my dad. Today, a friend sent me a reflection that said in part:

I have acted in the best way I could at a given time, and many times it was more than anyone could reasonably expect. In fact, some of my efforts may have produced wonderful, long-term effects of which I am unaware.

They were beautiful, heart warming words sent by a thoughtful friend and I very much appreciated it.

I Found God today in encouragement by a thoughtful friend.

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Mutual Care

Posted by eph21920 on August 25, 2024 in Baby, Connected, Life, Marriage, Relationship

At church this morning, there was a new mom and dad sitting in front of me with their teeny tiny new baby. I remembered meeting them a couple months ago and she had that very pregnant look about her. So I prayed for them. Today, she had that new mommy look about her as she cuddled and fed the infant. She had one of those snuggly carriers that a person straps to the front of them and rests the baby in so they don’t wear out their arms. At one point, after she was done feeding the baby, the mom was trying to get the floppy infant settled into the carrier and strap it on. The dad saw her struggle, reached around, and helped her get the straps situated. Perhaps it seems like a small gesture. But I have seen situations in which the woman is on her own trying to juggle babies and/or children while the dad is totally hands off. I thought it was especially meaningful as one of the scripture readings was about marriage. It was the one about wives being subordinate to their husbands. Sometimes that’s when people stop reading or listening. The other part of that scripture is that husbands should love their wives as they love themselves. Marriage is a relationship in which each partner cares for the other. So, while the gesture from the dad that I saw may seem slight, it was an example of him taking care of her and it touched my heart.

I Found God today in a dad taking care of his wife and baby.

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Keep Me In Your Heart

Posted by eph21920 on August 24, 2024 in Death, Friends, Grief, Life, Love, Relationship, Struggles

A friend of mine and her family invited a gentleman to live with them 8 years ago. At the time, he was suffering from COPD and living on his own in a small house in a rough part of town. The doctors said he had about 18 months to live. He had no living family members of his own and quickly became part of my friend’s family as he accepted their offer. He suffered on and off during this time and was receiving Hospice care for the past year until he passed away a few weeks ago. Today I went to his celebration of life that the family held in a lovely park with the pond and fountain nearby. They shared a touching presentation that highlighted his life. When he was born, he was immediately released to an orphanage and adopted at 9 months old. As a child, he contracted polio which left him in leg casts. During that time, his parents put him in a wagon so they could take him out and about. He kept that wagon as it was so meaningful to him and it was at the celebration. He learned to play the guitar and was in different bands in his early years. We were treated to a couple videos of him playing and singing. My friend’s 2 year old granddaughter danced and pointed to the video saying, “Papa”! The gentleman married and went into the medical field. During that time, he met a young person who was sick. They talked about the feelings of, Why Me? However, the young person said, Why NOT Me? This changed the man’s perspective and he tried to apply it to his life. He was in a very bad car accident some years into his marriage and it was uncertain if he would ever walk again. Unfortunately, his wife divorced him. He did rehab with a friend and was able to function again. He was a race enthusiast and built or restored his own cars. He turned to alcohol for a while, but got himself sober. His life was one of tragedy and perseverance. He turned away from religion at a young age due to the behavior of some of the people in the church. It makes me so sad when I hear those experiences. Yet, he was a deep thinker and got connected to a Hospice chaplain who was at the celebration. He asked the tough questions and the chaplain met him where he was, discussing whatever was on his mind. The ending song was, “Keep Me In Your Heart” by Warren Zevon. I am sure that God brought the gentleman and my friend’s family together and that the love that was exchanged gave him a longer physical life, and perhaps a more spiritual one as well. I continue to be amazed at the way my friend and her family opened their home and lives to this one person and what an blessing it was not just to them, but to those around them. His life made a difference.

I Found God today in the moving story of one life and the love of a selfless family.

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