Leave a comment

Wait or Abide

Posted by eph21920 on April 24, 2024 in Answer, Faith, Friends, Grateful, Life, Prayer

I was happy to meet with my prayer group tonight. We talk about scripture and life and prayer for each other’s needs and intercessions. I always leave appreciating the wisdom, faith, and friendship of the group. Tonight one of the ladies talked about the difference between waiting and abiding. Waiting gives the visual image of constantly checking the time and nervously tapping your feet or pacing. Certainly we can’t wait “for” the Lord. God is always present. He doesn’t go somewhere else and then we have to wait for Him to come back again. We could wait “on” the Lord as we want something to happen or need an answer to a decision we’re trying to make. On the other hand, abiding “with” the Lord is more peaceful and productive. When we abide with Him, we acknowledge that He is always present and in control of our lives. We are freed to go about our day without worry. Abiding with God is being attentive to His promptings in the moment and trusting that you are doing your part and He is doing His.

I Found God today gaining a new perspective.

Permalink
Leave a comment

New Haircut

Posted by eph21920 on April 23, 2024 in Family, Generosity, Grateful, Home, Service

It was already time for my mom to get a haircut. Her hairstylist said she was busy the next couple weeks and not sure when she would be able to make it over. She called this afternoon and said she was available. My mom was just finishing her nap, but didn’t want to get up. I felt bad, but eventually, she did get up and ready. The hairdresser arrived with a friend. We also had a caregiver over. We all chatted while Mom was being cared for. The friend was a nurse, so all the women were attentive to my mom and aware of how to make sure she was comfortable. My mom was overwhelmed from the beginning, but relaxed as she sat longer. In the end her hair was beautiful. I very much appreciated the generosity of the hairstylist, the attentiveness of all the ladies, and the conversation.

I Found God today in caring women.

Permalink
Leave a comment

New Fridge

Posted by eph21920 on April 22, 2024 in Family, Food, Grateful, New

Our old refrigerator has been slowly getting noisier. It has actually been keeping us awake during the night. One of the shelves broke and the door drops down a bit with a clunk when it is opened. Almost a year ago, my mom and I looked at refrigerators online at their favorite appliance store. She picked out the fridge she wanted and the intention was to go purchase it. Unfortunately as she declined, going out to buy it would be overwhelming. I finally decided I should get it before the old one quit working completely. I went to the favorite appliance store several weeks ago and made the purchase. The new refrigerator arrived today. My mom helped clear off the plethora of magnets and stuff that was covering the old refrigerator and enjoyed looking at some of the memories. She was ready to nap, but she didn’t want to miss what was going on. She managed to stay awake until after the installation and got a good look at her new appliance. She was very happy with it. I got everything cleaned up and the food in it’s proper places. After mom’s nap, she helped arrange some of the memorabilia on the new fridge at a lowered level so she can see it from her wheelchair. I am grateful to have a new, quiet, efficient refrigerator and love that it even has memories.

I Found God today receiving a new refrigerator.

Permalink
Leave a comment

New Christians

Posted by eph21920 on April 21, 2024 in Faith, New

Today at Mass, two men were fully initiated into the Catholic Church. One was a young adult who was an exchange student from Brazil. During his time here, he went to church with his host family. He was intrigued and soon converted. He will return back to his home as a new Christian. The other was an older man from the Middle East who grew up Islamic. He was also convinced that the Christian faith is the Truth. It was moving to see each man Baptized, Confirmed, and receiving their first Holy Communion. The joy and reverence each one showed brought me to tears. So often I take my faith for granted, and witnessing their experience reminded me of what a gift it truly is.

I Found God today in new Christians.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Slow Down

Posted by eph21920 on April 20, 2024 in Answer, Faith, Grace, Grateful, Life, Love, Prayer

Today my sister shared a quote that felt very relevant to me. “Sometimes God will slow you down so that the evil ahead of you will pass before you get there.” I can be impatient and anxious in a situation and want to move on. I have found it takes much commitment and perseverance to wait for God’s timing. And waiting needs to consist of living and loving every moment in gratitude. Only by God’s grace can this be done. And God’s grace is only accessible through prayer – slowing down, taking time out and away to be with Him. He slows us down to be with Him so He can care for us.

I Found God today in a reminder of His grace when I slow down.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Selfless Desire

Posted by eph21920 on April 19, 2024 in Life, Opportunity, Struggles

One caregiver who comes over regularly is a young woman in her 20’s. She is empathetic, peaceful, and attentive. I really enjoy our conversations. Today she talked about the troubles of social media affecting self esteem and how there is so much anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies. The young woman said she would like to be a Christian counselor. Then she would be able to meet with those who are struggling and tell them how much God is blessing them in this life and how much He loves them. I thought that was such a beautiful, caring, selfless desire.

I Found God today in a caring young woman.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Spreading Mulch

Posted by eph21920 on April 17, 2024 in Creation, Family, Friends, Grateful, Home, Weather

It has been ridiculously difficult to get dedicated caregivers for one reason or the other. We had another new caregiver start yesterday and she was here this afternoon. While she sat with my mom during her nap, I took advantage of the opportunity to go outside. The housing complex delivered mulch that was ordered today. It was a beautiful day, so I grabbed my rake and shovel and headed out. While spreading the mulch, I was able to chat with a couple of the neighbors. It felt so good to get out and do some yardwork. I was grateful for the beautiful day and the new caregiver. I’m praying she will be around a while.

I Found God today doing yardwork.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Despite Myself

Posted by eph21920 on April 16, 2024 in Answer, Children, Creation, Faith, Grace, Life, Love

Today is the Feast of St. Bernadette who had visions of Mary the Mother of Jesus in Lourdes. I think when this day comes every year, my mother and I reminisce about the trip we took there. Today my mom still remembered some of the details, such as when we saw St. Bernadette’s uncorrupt body. It was in a glass coffin in the church at Nevers. I still remember it vividly. As a child, I was afraid to go see a dead body, but those feelings were soon replaced by the overwhelming feeling of peace and God’s presence. At the same time, when I think about how good God has been and continues to be to me, I become painfully aware of my own faults and failings and wish I were a better person. Yet, God is with us, his imperfect children. He continues to love and care for us, despite our weaknesses. That’s the Good News. Thank God He’s God.

I Found God today as He continues to love me.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Matching Monday

Posted by eph21920 on April 15, 2024 in Connected, Friends, Life, Relationship

Today my mom found the little book of friendship poems, thoughts and prayers that her friend gave her many years ago. She read a few excerpts and we talked about how lucky she is to have such a good friend. This friend usually comes over on Mondays and they play piano together when mom’s up for it. Unfortunately, she fell last week and had to have surgery on her hip. She won’t be able to make it over for a while. I went to visit her for a few minutes today. Her daughter is at her house taking care of her while she recovers. But I was happy to see her looking pretty good. She said she is getting around pretty well. When she came over, probably 90% of the time, she and my mom’s clothing would match. Sometimes on purpose, but most of the time not. Today my mom was wearing a purple top with a purple sweater. When I saw her friend, it wasn’t surprising that she was also wearing purple. They are truly best of friends connected on a deeper level.

I Found God today in the connection my mom and her friend have.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Food

Posted by eph21920 on April 14, 2024 in Connected, Faith, Family, Food, Happiness, Life

Today’s Gospel reading was about an appearance Jesus made to his disciples after His Resurrection. I read a homily from a friend and listened to the one when I went to church. Both made mention to the fact that in the first few stories of Jesus’ appearance, He was always eating. One jokingly said that resurrecting must make one hungry. But Jesus did so because his disciples were terrified and thought He was a ghost. By eating with them, He showed them that He was still Himself and in His body. It is also how they enjoyed fellowship. So the question is, if Jesus ate and enjoyed food in His glorified body, will we do the same? Possibly. These perspectives really gave me food for thought. After church, I brought Holy Communion home for mom and then we enjoyed a delicious pizza my sister bought. Food for the soul and the body.

I Found God today in food.

Permalink