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Remembering Their Beautiful Song

Posted by eph21920 on July 3, 2024 in Death, Faith, Family, Life, Love, Music

We received a beautiful card today that spoke perfectly to my mother’s life. It said:

God gives every person their own unique song. It’s one that will play their entire life long. Through the love that they give and the gifts that they share, through the memories they make and the dreams that they dare. It’s a song filled with beauty and day to day grace, that plays through until they see God face to face. A song that is heard in the heart, loud and clear. A song, if we listen, we’ll always still hear.

I Found God today in a beautiful reminder of my Mom’s song of life.

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Do Not Be Afraid

Posted by eph21920 on July 2, 2024 in Answer, Creation, Faith, Struggles

I have been thinking about what my future is going to look like. I had somewhat thought about what I may want to do after my parents died, and where I might want to be. But now it’s here and it is a big unknown. I listened to the Gospel reading and reflection for Mass this morning before getting out of bed. It was again the story of the Apostles in the boat in a storm and Jesus sleeping. I can just imagine their mindset. How can you be sleeping? Don’t you even care that we’re about to go under? Jesus’ answer is to ask them why they are so afraid. He, of course, calms the storm. The reflection was on being courageous in all circumstances. And the reflection in Jesus Calling was the same. I was grateful for the message and reminder that God has everything in control, even when I feel out of control.

I Found God today in His reminder not to be afraid.

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Life Not Death

Posted by eph21920 on June 30, 2024 in Answer, Bible, Creation, Death, Family, Life, Priest

At church today, the first reading was from the book of Wisdom. The first sentence was, “God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.” That hit my heart immediately. The Gospel reading was about a woman who was ill for many years. She touched Jesus’ cloak and was healed. Then Jesus raised a young girl from the dead. The priest who had visited my mom several times was the celebrant for the Mass. He talked about the Sacraments of healing that the church has to offer. He told a little bit of my mom’s story. It was beautiful and heartwarming.

I Found God today remembering the blessings my mom received and God’s promise of life.

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Getting Out

Posted by eph21920 on June 29, 2024 in Creation, Family, Happiness

Today my brothers and I decided to get out of the house. It was a relatively cool day so I packed a lunch and we went to one of favorite state parks which we had not been to in a long time. We hiked a little more than we originally anticipated and my legs made me very aware of just how out of shape I was. But it was wonderful. Surprisingly there were very few people. Those we did encounter were super friendly. There were many wild flowers in bloom along the way with busy bees and butterflies enjoying them. When we got to the bottom of the canyon, I was expecting to have to cross the stream on the rocks, but a new bridge had been constructed since the last time we were there. I didn’t mind at all. I loved listening to the stream as we followed it along the bottom of the canyon. It was good for my body, mind, and soul to spend some time in nature.

I Found God today enjoying nature.

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A Good Day

Posted by eph21920 on June 28, 2024 in Faith, Family, Grace, Grateful, Joy, Life, Music

Adding on to the previous post. We spent the day yesterday reminiscing and remembering my mom. We worked on her obituary and a slideshow of her life. We went through hundreds of photos and listened to the recordings of her piano playing. While it was sad, it was also joyful as we realized what a faithful, grace-filled, musical life that my mom had and how blessed we were to share that life with her.

I Found God today remembering my mom.

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I’m ‘Bout to Have a Good Day

Posted by eph21920 on June 27, 2024 in Creation, Happiness, Music

I woke up this morning with the song “Good Day” running through my head. The words were “I’m ’bout to have a good day, no matter what they say. Sun is shining down on me, birds are singing praise so it’s a good day.” It was a very catchy tune and stuck with me all day. I appreciated the reminder that God is good and in control. And I would say it was a pretty good day.

I Found God today in a positive, upbeat song.

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Family Time

Posted by eph21920 on June 26, 2024 in Family, Grateful, Love

My nephew arrived from out of town last night. He stayed with my son last night so they were able to have some time together before my son leaves for the weekend. My other son and his family returned yesterday from their time away on the East Coast. Tonight we all had dinner together. It was so good for most of us to be together and enjoy visiting and reminiscing. Family is such a blessing.

I Found God today in my family.

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Comforting Message

Posted by eph21920 on June 24, 2024 in Death, Faith, Grief, Home, Hope

We’ve been receiving some beautiful sentiments from friends and neighbors. One card had an especially meaningful and relevant quote from Christian author Max Lucado:

“We don’t like to say goodbye to those whom we love. It is right for us to weep, but there is no need for us to despair. They had pain here. They have no pain there. They struggled here. They have no struggles there. You and I may wonder why God took them home. But they don’t. They are, at this very moment, at peace in the presence of God.”

I Found God today in a comforting message.

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God’s Words

Posted by eph21920 on June 23, 2024 in Answer, Bible, Connected, Death, Eternity, Faith, Life, Struggles

My sister and I went to Mass this morning and the scripture readings were so meaningful – as well as the hymns. The theme was that God is with us through all the storms in our lives. After Mass, there was a reception for the beloved priest who came to our house several times and was so present to my mom. Sadly, he is being assigned to another parish. We told him the news of our mom’s death and of course he was very comforting. Later, I received an email from one of the ladies in our community who shared the news with our other neighbors. She included a beautiful reflection that was written by a friend of hers. It was so fitting as well:

80F degrees today. Well, this is not too bad for a warm hike, and enjoy the Colorado outdoors today.

Hikings always allow me to reflect while I enjoy my time by myself.

Throughout the pages of Scripture, I’ve found that the most popular place to learn God’s ways is smack in the middle of the wilderness.

Every single person who has been greatly used by God has had to go through the wilderness.

For it is when surrounded by the deafening silence of the wilderness that the soul quiets enough to hear God speak.

It is when others become shadows that allowing God’s Presence to settle over you that you will finally understand that without Christ, you can do nothing, be nothing, and accomplish nothing.

The lesson is obvious: when there’s no one around to impress, the Lord will impress your heart with His Presence.

You can best hear God in the stillness.

You can best hear God in the quiet.

You can best know the Father when you’re perfectly lonely.

And when you’re alone enough to listen, you’ll hear Him whisper:

You are loved.

You are dear.

You are seen.

Your future is secure.

You are known.

And you are NEVER alone.

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage” – Psalm 84:5.

Believer, remember that you’re a pilgrim just passing through this land called Earth, in search of a heavenly city whose maker is God.

Be dependent upon Him for every ounce of strength and thank Him for the pathway He’s showing you in this pilgrimage.

Perhaps it hasn’t always been the path you wanted, BUT it’s always been for your good, because “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him”— Romans 8:28.

Be hungry for the uncomfortable because HE is OUTSIDE of our comfort zones…”

I Found God today in His promise of being present even in the storms of life.

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Graceful

Posted by eph21920 on June 22, 2024 in Answer, Bible, Connected, Death, Eternity, Faith, Family, Grace, Grateful

Yesterday as we talked with nurses and caregivers about my mother, my brother used the word “graceful” to describe her. When I sat with her this morning, her items on the nightstand caught my eye. They included her reading glasses, her St. Padre Pio prayer book, and a prayer card with her name on it. The card read, “Anita. Graceful. Fear thou not; For I am with thee; Be not dismayed; For I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; Yes, I will help thee.” This scripture was particularly fitting as my mom stood at the threshold of eternity. I read the prayer to my mom as she laid in her bed. She went to be with the Lord and my dad only hours after that. We were all so grateful that she experienced a very peaceful passing. This afternoon I received a message from a friend that included the exact same scripture. Later, my sister went outside for a bit. When she came back in, she realized a ladybug was crawling on her. We learned that the insect can symbolize grace. I’m grateful for the ways God shows His presence even in extremely difficult situations.

I Found God today remembering my graceful mother.

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