Leave a comment

The Big Switcheroo

Posted by eph21920 on September 8, 2024 in Connected, Family, Grateful, Life, Love

Yesterday my brother and I vacated the cabin and came to the city. At the same time, my son and his wife went to the cabin for a little getaway to celebrate their anniversary. Also yesterday my brother in law flew out to be with my sister after having completed everything that needed to be done here. They will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary together tomorrow. Tonight my brother and I went to pick up my other sister from the airport. She helped care for my sister for several weeks while her husband was away. She got her a little further along in her recovery from a very bad illness that she’s been battling. There was a lot of traveling around the past couple days. I am grateful everyone was safe and moving in positive directions.

I Found God today in much safe and positive travels.

Permalink
Leave a comment

The Carnival

Posted by eph21920 on September 7, 2024 in Children, Family, Fun, Joy, Relationship

Several years ago, a church near us held a carnival for the community, complete with rides, games, and music. It has grown every year since. I have seen it from afar – one year from my mom’s room at the rehab facility, but I’ve never been. Today I took one grandson and my granddaughter. We had fun looking around at everything. My grandson decided not to go on any rides, fearing it might make him sick. My granddaughter didn’t want to go on any of the big rides, but she’s so tall now that she was too big to go on any of the smaller rides. Then we found the fun house. My granddaughter and I went through the mirrored maze. I let her lead the way. Once out of the maze, there were funny mirrors and a big slide as the exit. She was afraid of the big slide at first, but she conquered her fear. I was proud of her. Then we played a ball toss game. My grandson won a big prize and chose a stuffed unicorn which he gave to his sister. She won a smaller stuffed toy. Then we had carnival food. We all had a good time.

I Found God today having fun with my grandchildren.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Back Outside

Posted by eph21920 on September 6, 2024 in Creation, Grateful, Joy, Life

After a rainy day yesterday, I was happy to see the sun shining this morning. I was still at the cabin, which makes it even more beautiful. After breakfast, my brother and I went out and did a little work on the gravel driveway. There were some pretty deep ruts that the rain had worsened, so we filled them in and created a birm across the top. After that I took his dog on a walk. It’s a little disconcerting when she stops and stares off into the distance. But it was a nice walk and I enjoyed the mountain air. After lunch I made a little trip into town. On the way I saw that some of the Aspen trees had yellow leaves. It seems that Fall is on it’s way. I also stopped at the community clubhouse and chatted with one of the ladies there. As we were talking, I spotted a large, fluffy coyote making it’s way through the field. The woman told me it wasn’t unusual and that she sees a lot of wildlife going through the area. I thoroughly enjoyed and was grateful for the beautiful day.

I Found God today in a beautiful day.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Morning Thunderstorm

Posted by eph21920 on September 5, 2024 in Creation, Family, Humility, Life, Weather

I decided to spend a couple days at the cabin with my brother and arrived yesterday. I woke up early this morning as usual and it was still dark outside. Before I laid back down to close my eyes, something caught my attention. I thought I saw a bright light flash through the window. I watched for a little while and sure enough, I saw it again. This time I heard a rumble in the distance. A thunderstorm was approaching. It was moving very slowly and I just watched from my bed for a while. When it got closer, I heard my brother’s dog seeking shelter in the downstairs bedroom. She is terrified of thunder. Then I heard my brother get up. Since they were awake, I got up and opened a couple blinds so I could see outside. It was barely dawn and the storm was upon us. At that altitude, it really was like the storm was on top of us. The wind blew, the rain came down, then the small hail. All the while the lightning and thunder were pretty constant. I am in awe of the storms at the cabin and it had been a long time since I had witnessed one. Later in the day, the clouds cleared and the sun came out, making it safe to go out for a walk. God was in the weather today as his power can be furious and concerning, but when we hold on long enough, the calm will come and perhaps even a rainbow.

I Found God today in the awesome weather.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Getting Stronger

Posted by eph21920 on September 4, 2024 in Friends, Grateful, Healing, Prayer, Sick

I went outside this afternoon and was somewhat surprised to see my neighbor out walking. I had not seen her in a couple weeks, but had seen her husband who said she was slowly recovering from her surgery. She reported that she started in home therapy today and introduced the physical therapist that she was walking with. My neighbor was chatty and smiling and had color in her face. After the ordeal she went through and all the prayers that were being said for her, I was grateful to see her out and about and healing.

I Found God today in my neighbor who is healing.

Permalink
2 Comments

Mother Teresa’s Family Prayer

Posted by eph21920 on September 3, 2024 in Family, Life, Prayer, Saint

Today I turned on EWTN and watched a talk show that Mother Angelica hosted 27 years ago. It was a tribute to now St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The program included a beautiful prayer for the family that she wrote. I thought it was timeless and always applicable:

Heavenly Father,
you have given us a
model of life in the
Holy Family of Nazareth.

Help us, O Loving Father,
to make our family
another Nazareth
where love, peace and joy reign.

May it be
deeply contemplative,
intensely Eucharistic
and vibrant with joy.

Help us to stay together
in joy and sorrow
through family prayer.

Teach us to see Jesus
in the members of our family,
especially in their
distressing disguise.

May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus
make our hearts meek and humble
like His, and help us to carry out
our family duties in a holy way.

May we love one another
as God loves each one of us,
more and more each day,
and forgive each others faults
as you forgive our sins.

Help us, O Loving Father,
to take whatever you give
and to give whatever you take,
with a big smile.

Help us, O Holy Father,
to make our families
one heart, full of love,
in the Heart of Jesus through Mary.

Immaculate Heart of Mary,
cause of our joy,
pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Holy Guardian Angels,
be always with us,
guide and protect us.
Amen.

— St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

I Found God today in a prayer for the family and a reminder of the selfless life of St. Mother Teresa.

Permalink
Leave a comment

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.

Permalink
Leave a comment

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.

Permalink
Leave a comment

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.

Permalink
Leave a comment

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.

Permalink