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Plant Day

Posted by eph21920 on February 24, 2024 in Creation, Family, Happiness

Saturday is plant watering day. My sister and mom watered her orchids, which are beautifully in bloom right now. My mom always makes sure we have the right water temperature and that the plants are soaked for the appropriate time – 5 minutes. Later in the day, we refreshed the 4 bouquets that we had from Valentine’s Day and reduced them to 2. Then we re-potted a couple plants that have been sitting around in tiny pots for a very long time. There is truly something soothing about working with plants and admiring their beauty.

I Found God today in the beauty of flowers and plants.

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Blessed by Young People

Posted by eph21920 on February 23, 2024 in Grateful, Life, Love, Prayer, Youth

We have a new caregiver coming over twice a week. She is young, patient, kind, and wonderful with my mom. The best thing is that mom is very comfortable with her. She was over this afternoon for a few hours. When we said our prayers after dinner tonight, we thought of people we wanted to pray for specifically as we always do. My mom wanted to pray for “all the young people who come here to visit because they are such a blessing.” It was a beautiful prayer.

I Found God today in my mom’s beautiful prayer.

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From Bartender to Priest

Posted by eph21920 on February 22, 2024 in Faith, Hope, Life, Priest, Struggles

Today on Hallow I listened to Fr. Frankie Cicero tell his faith story. While his mother was pregnant with him, she learned that he had severe physical problems and the doctors encouraged her to get an abortion. Instead, she surrendered her son to God. During his lifetime, he has had  many abdominal surgeries. But the biggest struggle he faced was when his father left him, his sister, and his mother when he was 18 years old. In fact, his father told him he wasn’t the son he wanted and that he wasn’t good enough to be his son. Fr. Frankie was understandably angry and left the faith completely. He followed a path that led to drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, and money. But, his heart was empty. After an encounter with God, he turned around and became a priest. It was a heartfelt, inspiring story of surrender and faith. You can see him tell the beginning of it here.


I Found God today in a dramatic story of surrender and faith.

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Getting Out

Posted by eph21920 on February 21, 2024 in Death, Faith, Friends, Grief

A couple of weeks ago, one of the men in our prayer group died. We all went to his funeral and prayed for and with his wife and family. Both he and his wife had been joining the group via Zoom shortly after he got ill. Later, only his wife would participate. Tonight was our regular scheduled meeting. His wife initially said she would join online. I reached out to her this afternoon and asked if she wanted to come with me. It took her a while to reply that she did want to go and it would be good to get out. I was so happy to spend the time with her. And it was wonderful to have her present in person at the session. She was a little somber, but there was no awkward silence or trying not to talk about her husband. We were all blessed to be together.

I Found God today being with and praying with a grieving friend.

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Good Eyes

Posted by eph21920 on February 20, 2024 in Answer, Doctor, Family, Grateful

My sister has been having trouble with her eyes recently. They hurt and she was seeing zig zag lines of lights. She called the eye doctor today and they wanted to see her right away. After the testing, the doctor concluded that she had ocular migraines. He said it should subside on its own. Other than that, her eyes are healthy. We were grateful for the good and reassuring news.

I Found God today in reassurance that my sister’s eyes are healthy.

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Great Expectations

Posted by eph21920 on February 19, 2024 in Answer, Faith, Life, Marriage, Opportunity, Plan, Struggles, Trust

This afternoon I went to the funeral for my friend’s mother-in-law. It included a beautiful slideshow of her life. As the deacon reflected on her life, he mentioned the photograph of her and her husband’s wedding day. They were very much in love and ready to take on the world as they spoke their vows. Yet, they had no idea what they were committing to and could not have expected what the future held. But with faith, they managed every situation. I have heard it said that expectations are the thieves of joy. The daily reflections I have been listening to have mentioned the same thing. At some point, we can clearly know the path we should take. At the same time, we can carry expectations of how it is going to play out. When things don’t go as we expected, we can become resentful, angry, depressed. Once our enthusiasm is dashed with a reality different from what we thought was going to be, the temptation is to simply give up. It is necessary to stay close to God, look at the situation through His eyes, and trust that He has a purpose for everything.

I Found God today reminded to look at each day through God’s eyes.

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Power of Music

Posted by eph21920 on February 18, 2024 in Answer, Faith, Friends, Music, Sick

A friend from out of state was here with her family for her mother-in-law’s funeral. I was so happy that they met me for Mass this morning. The opening song was “Christ in Me Arise”, which is the one that was so meaningful to my other friend who I saw on Ash Wednesday. It brought tears to my eyes on her behalf. Later, they led the song, “On Eagle’s Wings”. That was at my dad’s funeral. My friend glanced at her husband. She said that it was the song he requested for his mom’s funeral which will be tomorrow. More tears. I was chatting with a friend tonight about the music and she said she can get lost in the words of a sermon, but never in a song. Music truly does have a power all it’s own.

I Found God today in the power of music.

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Love Until It Hurts

Posted by eph21920 on February 17, 2024 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Family, Friends, Grateful, Love, Struggles

This morning’s meditation on my favorite Hallow app was based on a quote by St. Mother Teresa, “Love until it hurts”. The title itself really touched my heart. The actual full quote that I discovered was, “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” The reflection was given by Sr. Mary Bernice who was a Missionary of Charity. She told the story about her mother’s sacrificial love. Her father had been in the Korean War. When the war ended, it took another 2 years to find him. When they brought him back, he went into the hospital as he was delirious. Her mother made the choice to bring him home and nursed him back to complete health over the next 40 years, with the help of necessary therapies. Sr. Bernice explained that in our current world, we are told that we should love if it feels good or makes us happy. But if there is any pain involved, it is not for us. Mother Teresa taught that instead, we need to love even when it hurts. To live real love, we must suffer through it. I felt that I completely understood, as caring for my parents – and now my mom – gets harder and more painful. It is painful to see her struggle. It is painful not to have the magic pill or solution to cure her. It is painful to watch her continued decline. To conclude, Sr. Bernice said a beautiful prayer that ended with, “I ask them that whatever pain and sorrow they are going through for the ones that they love, that they will see that You loved them first on the Cross, and that when we love, until it hurts, it is our way to salvation.” By that time I was weeping as silently as I could as I was in my mom’s room. The prayer went straight to my heart. I thanked God again for the ways He reminds me that He is here with us in this most difficult time. A little while later I received a text from a far away friend who said she had just listened to the same meditation and thought of me. I started crying again. She called and we were able to talk, catch up, and yes – cry some more. I was so blessed by her encouragement and prayers. It was a hard day for mom, but I kept remembering the words – Love Until It Hurts.

I Found God today in encouragement to keep on loving, even through the pain.

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Trying to Be Still

Posted by eph21920 on February 16, 2024 in Answer, Bible, Connected, Faith, Grateful, Home, Jesus, Struggles

I have been very weary lately and ready for a break. This morning my mom read from Jesus Calling. I felt Jesus speaking directly to me. The reflection said in part, “Thank Me for the conditions that are requiring you to be still. . . Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. . . Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms.” Thank you Jesus.

I Found God today hearing His voice.

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Open Wide the Gates

Posted by eph21920 on February 15, 2024 in Answer, Bible, Faith, Jesus, Lent, Peace

I know it’s Lent, but today I listened to a meditation that focused on Jesus’ appearance to the disciples in the upper room after His Resurrection. According to the scripture, John 20:19-23  the doors were locked as the disciples were in fear for their lives. When Jesus came to them, the first thing He did was to offer them peace. It didn’t matter that most of them ran away, abandoned Him, and wouldn’t even sit at the foot of His cross with Him. He loved them, He knew their hearts, and He knew what they needed. The presenter quoted St. Pope John Paul II, “Do not be afraid.” and “Open wide the gates.” The listener was encouraged to think about their fears, unlock the doors, and open wide the gates to their hearts, allowing Jesus to bring His peace. It was a beautiful reflection and I was at peace during that time. If I could only figure out how to hold onto it all day…

I Found God today in His peace.

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