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Shining Family

Posted by eph21920 on August 23, 2024 in Faith, Friends, Hope, Joy, Life

Today I was chatting with a friend and we got on the topic of the craziness going on in the world. He said he knew a family whose son was kicked out of school for making fun of a girl who said she was a cat. I have heard about strange incidents like this, but I wondered how prevalent it really is. Or if people are blowing things out of perspective. But when I heard this from my friend who I trust is truthful, it was shocking and sad. This example really speaks to how lost our society can be. People make up their own identities and can insist that everyone else treat them as such. In fact, our human identity can be found in God who created us and loves us and wants to care for us if only we let Him. We are His children. When people don’t know that fact, or refuse to accept it, we will constantly be in a battle of trying to figure out who we are and how we are supposed to behave. Chaos ensues. On the other hand, my friend’s daughter is raising her daughter and son in the best way that she can. They are home schooled, attend church, and are also involved in many different groups. The updates that she shares about them are joyful, hopeful, upright, and positive. They are a light in this world. I think some of the best things we can do for our society is to pray first and foremost, to be a light of positivity in the world, and to support one another in our collective life journey.

I Found God today in a family shining light into our world.

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Pure Selflessness

Posted by eph21920 on August 22, 2024 in Answer, Children, Connected, Friends, Generosity, Grace, Homeless, Sacrifice, Stranger

A friend of mine shared a beautiful story about her generous and loving daughter. She allowed me to share the story as well:

There is a homeless man that stands on the side of the highway. We pass him all the time and give him food, gift cards, money here and there and sometimes drinks. We also pray for him every night when we say our family bedtime prayers. There is something about this man that just really tugs at our hearts and we love to help him.
This morning we saw him. My daughter said, ”Mommy can we give give him some money?” I said I don’t have any cash on me right now but if we see him later we can bring him something. Well we pull up to the house and she bolt out of the jeep. When I walk inside I hear her struggling to get something from her closet… it was her piggy bank.
She tells me “ Don’t worry Mommy, I’ve got money to give him.” She laid there pulling her silver coins from the pile on the floor. She counted out 15 dollars to give this man in coins. She comes up to me and says “Mommy can you tell me how to spell some words? This is the note she wanted to leave him inside of his bag. I asked her what the picture was that she drew and she said “ Well this man is Jesus and this is the man I’m helping. They are around the fire because I know he gets cold at night but God is there for him.” She said “ This is his future house and I put a “g” on it. Do you know what the “g” means?” I said “Does it stand for God?” She said ”No it stands for Grace, like Heavens Grace.” I couldn’t help but got so teary eyed that my baby knows that God gives us all grace and that God is there for this man in this hard time of his life.
We leave the house and pass him on the way. My daughter asked if she could give it to him. I rolled her window and the look on this man’s face was pure bliss. The biggest smile and watery eyes came over this man. He looked at her and said “ Thank you so much sweetheart, you don’t know what this means to me. God Bless you sweet girl.”
I BROKE DOWN CRYING GUYS!!  I looked back and my daughter said “My eyes are just so watery!” I said “ It’s because you’re so happy to help him!”
I told her how proud of her I was and that she has no idea the impact she had on that man today.
To say I’m so proud is an understatement.

Her story was that of pure love, generosity, and selflessness that is so common in children if we only nurture them and bring them to Jesus as He said. I doubt if the man or the little girl will ever forget that day. My eyes were watery too as I read.

I Found God today in a loving child and a faithful family.

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Spiritual Thirst

Posted by eph21920 on August 21, 2024 in Answer, Bible, Creation, Faith, Life, Prayer

After my dad died 2 years ago, a friend gave me the book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by W. Phillip Keller. I have been trying to read it a little more recently. The book is interesting because the author, as suggested by the title, was a shepherd. As a Christian, he was able to correlate Psalm 23 with the care of sheep and how God cares for us. This morning I read the chapter, He Leads Me Beside Quiet Waters. The author described different ways that the shepherd provides water to his flock. One was to bring the sheep out early in the morning to partake of the succulent morning dew. If that was a possibility, once the sheep had their fill of greenery and moisture, they would be able to rest as the sun heated up the day. The author compared this to God providing us spiritual drink as Jesus promised:

John 4:14, “but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

I understood the comparison. When I wake early in the morning, I start praying. Most of the time I start with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Then I usually pray the rosary. There are specific prayers that I feel are necessary to quench my spiritual thirst. When I begin with these prayers in the morning, I am more able to keep God in my heart and thoughts and allow Him to guide me lovingly through my day.

I Found God today in a reflection on how He quenches our spiritual thirst.

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Death and Life

Posted by eph21920 on August 20, 2024 in Answer, Creation, Death, Faith, Grief, Life, Stranger

Today the church had a Mass and luncheon especially for those who are grieving. My friend whose husband died a few months ago and I went together. At Mass, the responsorial was Deuteronomy 32:39, “It is I who bring both death and life.” I often think about the end of both my dad’s and my mom’s lives with sadness and guilt, wondering what else I could have or should have done. This scripture was a needed reminder to me that I am but a weak human being and that of course God has been and is still in charge. At the luncheon, I met a fascinating, talkative 94 year old gentleman. I learned all about his life, his wife, his dental practices, and his family. His wife was going to be a nun, but she married him instead. He talked about his family of 6 children, 12 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchild with pride as they were all faithful. He attributed that to his wife. They were married for 65 years until she died just over 4 years ago. He said he missed her tremendously and that he asked God that He should take him too. One night, the man said he heard God loud and clear say, “You’re not ready.” I thought again about the responsorial – God is indeed the One who brings life and death.

I Found God today reminded that He is the author of life and death.

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New Headstone

Posted by eph21920 on August 19, 2024 in Death, Family, Grateful, Prayer

Last night I suddenly became aware that I hadn’t been to the cemetery since the day after my mom was buried. And that was about 6 weeks ago. She was buried with my dad at the National Cemetery. The original headstone for my dad was removed and a temporary placard was in it’s place. I was told it would be about 60 days for the new headstone to be engraved and installed. I decided to go out to visit the site today. On the way to the cemetery I stopped and got 2 dozen roses. When I arrived, I cut the stems down, got the little vases that are supplied by the cemetery, got some water, and headed over to the plot. I looked ahead down the long row, didn’t see any temporary placards, and got a little excited. As I came to the grave site, I saw that there was a new headstone. My dad’s information was on one side same as it had been and my mom’s was on the other with the words, “Forever in our hearts” as we had requested. The sun was shining bright on the new sparkly white stone. I felt a mixture of emotions – happy that the stone was in place and that it looked so nice, yet sad and suddenly aware of the reality that my mom is gone. I placed the flowers, said some prayers, let the tears flow, and just sat awhile. When I felt at peace, I headed home.

I Found God today in a mixture of emotions and the prompting to visit the cemetery.

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He Is Here

Posted by eph21920 on August 18, 2024 in Eucharist, Faith, Grace, Jesus, Present, Sacrifice

At church today, a couple spoke about their experience at the National Eucharistic Congress. They described how there were 4 routes of pilgrimages forming a cross as they all converged at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The home of the Indianapolis Colts was transformed into an altar and place of worship for a week for about 60,000. When everyone was settled into the stadium, the opening presentation on the giant screen started with how God spoke and matter obeyed bringing light into the world and creation. The video ended with the words, “He Is Here” and the spotlight shone on the giant monstrance holding the Eucharist. As God spoke at the beginning, He spoke as Jesus Christ before He died and gave us His body. I watched much of the video later to see what the couple had experienced. It reminded me of when I took people to retreats and we would encounter Eucharistic Adoration. There was nothing like it. Nothing like Him. It was fitting that the couple spoke on this day as at Mass, the Gospel reading was Jesus saying over and over again how He was leaving us His body and that we must eat of it to have eternal life. I talked with one of the people after Mass for a bit. As he described the “feel” of the event, which was difficult to describe, I was drawn right back to those earlier retreats and understood exactly what he was talking about. To me, that is proof in and of itself that He Is Here.

I Found God today remembering and realizing God in the Eucharist.

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Making Friends

Posted by eph21920 on August 17, 2024 in Children, Family, Grateful, Joy, Life

Today there was a fair at my granddaughter’s school. Since it is so close to my house, my son, his wife, and my granddaughter parked in our lot and we all walked over. It was super hot, but we all had fun playing the games and eating cotton candy. It was joyful watching my granddaughter as she comes into her own. When she started first grade here, she was so timid and shy. Now she has many friends that she was hugging and doing things with. She even won the first raffle, which was a great way to start her birthday weekend. She was so happy. I feel mighty blessed to have them nearby.

I Found God today in my growing, joyful granddaughter.

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Healing and Grateful

Posted by eph21920 on August 16, 2024 in Creation, Faith, Friends, Grateful, Healing, Home, Sick

My neighbor and friend had been having severe pain in her stomach and intestines for a couple of months. She had been back and forth to doctors and emergency rooms until finally she had to have extensive emergency surgery on her intestines. Even when that was done, there were problems with infections. She spent over 2 weeks in the hospital. My family, the neighbors, and those who she ministered to were all praying for her. She has done many mission trips overseas to help teach English as well as spreading the message of Jesus Christ. I was grateful to hear that she came home earlier this week. Today I went over for a short visit. She recalled a time when she was in so much pain that she was actually praying for God to take her. Evidently He had other plans. She has a long recovery, but she is here. While I was visiting, some flowers were delivered. They just happened to be from my thoughtful brother. My friend started crying, saying that people have been so kind to her. I told her that she has been a blessing to so many people and now people want to bless her.

I Found God today in a healing, grateful woman.

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Making it Home

Posted by eph21920 on August 15, 2024 in Answer, Friends, Grateful, Home, Mary, Prayer

Today was the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, the mother of Jesus – when we celebrate her being taken to Heaven. I felt so blessed that a friend had my mom as the intention for Mass in the church I used to work for. That is in another state, but I went to Mass in my own parish. I prayed for my mom and many others including my friend who was traveling back home. I thought about all the people who were also praying for my mom and felt mighty humbled and grateful. Later in the day, my friend told me that her plane got re-routed due to bad weather. She asked for prayers that she would make it home tonight. I prayed that as we celebrated Mary’s going home, that my friend and others on the flight would also make their way home today. Later, my friend told me she had made it home safely.

I Found God today humbled and grateful for answered prayers.

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Wood Troll

Posted by eph21920 on August 14, 2024 in Creation, Fun, Grateful, Joy, Life, Opportunity

My friend and I greeted today from the cabin. During breakfast we talked about what to do and decided to go into town. My friend looked up a place to get a good cup of coffee. That was our only goal for the day. When we got into town, we went into the casino that I used to take my parents to and played the slot machine that was always good to my dad. Unfortunately, it wasn’t so good to me. We didn’t really want to gamble more, so we walked up main street, stopped in a few interesting stores, and found the coffee shop. When we saw some other customers with plates, we realized they had food – and it looked delicious. It was nearly lunch time, so we ordered a couple of salads. The food was fresh and tasty. It was a good find. Then we stopped at the favorite general store to get some roasted nuts and mint chocolate fudge. We decided to check out the next town over and took the scenic drive. There was another general store there with very interesting items and antiques. We saw a flyer that had a photo of the wood troll that an artist created and built in the area. I had heard about it, so we asked the store clerk how to find it and off we went. Once we went up the dirt road and parked at the site, there was a little bit of a hike. It wasn’t hard to find the gigantic troll sculpture after that. We took some photos and continued on the trail which ended at an amazing overlook of several mountain ranges. It was breathtaking. The weather was perfect. The partly cloudy sky displayed different scenes as the landscape took turns in the sunshine and shade. As we sat on the bench to take in the view, a woman offered to take our picture. She said she had taken this particular photo for many other people. It was from behind us as we admired the spectacular view. We talked about how God created such a beautiful place for us to live in and how we are so small. We were so grateful for the moment. When we decided to give up our bench, my friend offered to take the same picture for the couple who replaced us. We headed home in gratitude and awe of enjoying the amazing, unplanned day.

I Found God today in a day of perfect weather, beauty, wonder,  and friendship.

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