We’re very happy that my mom still reads our devotion from “Jesus Calling” every night. The last few sentences from tonight’s reflection were particularly meaningful and we read it over again. “When your mind is stuck on a negative focus, you see neither Me nor My gifts. In faith, thank Me for whatever is preoccupying your mind. This will clear the blockage so you can find Me.” It helped remind me to find Him tonight.
I Found God today reminded to clear the blockage of negative thoughts.
I asked my mom how she found God today. She said she found him right here in our house pointing emphatically to the floor. My heart swelled.
I Found God today here in our house as well.
After dinner this evening, my mom has something stuck in her teeth. We had to stop saying our prayers so that she could get it out. However, she couldn’t do it. My sister got her a piece of dental floss to see if that would help. Unfortunately, my mom couldn’t figure out how to use it. So I volunteered. My sister held a light and my mom opened her mouth best she could. I tried to make my hands small as I flossed the teeth in the area I saw her poking at. It only took a couple tries before I found the annoyance and got it out. I felt pretty good about accomplishing that without any negative effects. Every day brings a new “first”.
I Found God today able to help my mom.
Today I was in a texting group of some friends that I have had for over 35 years. Everyone was posting Happy St Patrick’s Day messages. One of them shared an Irish toast that I thought summer it up:
There are good ships and wood ships, Ships that sail the sea, But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be.
I Found God today in the best of friendships.
My mom has been feeling pretty bad for quite some time and her cognition continues to decline. Last week we found that she has had a UTI for who knows how long. She is currently on her 2nd round of antibiotics. We have also made some adjustments to her other medications. It was good to see her eyes brighter when she got up this morning and she said she felt better. She also started eating more. There were several times during the day when we all laughed out loud. She would say funny things or do funny things on purpose, which made it all even funnier. It was a good day.
I Found God today as my mom felt a little better.
Since this recent time change, my mom has not been getting up til later in the morning. This week, the CNA came to give her a shower, but my mom was still in bed. She was due to come again today, but it was cancelled due to the snow storm. My mom really needed a shower, but I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get her in or not. She was pretty weary when she got up, but after breakfast she was agreeable to it. I pulled her wheelchair as close to the shower entrance as I could so she was able to stand up using the grab bar. Together, we got her in, washed up, and out without any major concerns. I gave her a pedicure and styled her hair as well. Once it was all over, she said she felt good. I felt quite accomplished and was happy that she is all clean.
I Found God today in the ability to get my mom all cleaned up.
The impending snow storm arrived last night and we awoke to a winter wonderland. As we ate our breakfast, we saw our “roofmates” outside clearing the wet, heavy snow off the tree branches. They kept us entertained. Later, I received a message from the wife saying that she made a snow angel outside the window for my mom. Unfortunately, we missed seeing her create it. Then she said that the angel was kind of a mess at the bottom as once she got down on the ground, she couldn’t get back up. Her husband had to come pull her up and he almost ended up on the ground as well. I was really sorry that we had missed seeing that and could only imagine how amusing it must have been. It was such a fun, thoughtful thing for them to do.
I Found God today in our funny, thoughtful neighbors.
We’re supposed to be getting a big snow storm. This morning, however, was really nice weather. Mom and I were happy to sit in the doorway with the door propped open and get some sunshine and fresh air. My mom would occasionally say things that didn’t really make sense. But then at one point, I recognized the “Hail Mary”. She finished saying her prayers and made the sign of the cross. It was moving.
I Found God today in the warmth of the sunshine and mom’s prayer.
We met a new caregiver today who told us a great story. When her son was in the 6th grade and attending Catholic school, she was called into the principals office. When she arrived, she was told that her son was stealing. Evidently, he was sneaking into the teacher’s lounge and stealing a donut and coffee each morning. The boy admitted to the offense and said that he had asked the principal several times if he could have a doughnut and was told no. Then he took the women outside where a homeless man was crouched by the wall. The boy said that was his bum and he was bringing him coffee and a doughnut every morning. The boy was allowed to continue sharing with the man. After a year, the boy came home from school very upset, crying and told his mother that his bum had died. He asked if they could have a funeral for him. The mom said they didn’t really have the money for a funeral. So the boy brought it up to the school authorities. They raised the money and gave the man a funeral and buried him in the church cemetery. It was a great story.
I Found God today in the story of a caring and generous boy.
Today a friend shared a video of her 6 year old daughter being baptized. She is of a Protestant religion and her daughter decided after Sunday school that she wanted to be baptized. As a Catholic, being present for an infant baptism is always a beautiful celebration. For my friend to hear the request from her daughter and then hear her giving herself to Jesus Christ was also an incredible experience. Her heart was full. So was mine as I watched the video.
I Found God today in a child’s baptism.
Still Finding God 