Tuesday, July 24, 2018

His Hand

Did you ever wake up one morning and just know that the day would bring something for which you would need great strength?

Last Wednesday was that moment for me.  I awoke that morning just knowing that I would need all the strength I had to get thru the day.  But I also knew that I would probably need more.  I remember the first thought I had was, "please, Lord, I am not strong enough for this.  Please help me."  As hard as I could to have faith that He would answer my plea, I was not sure.  Did He believe that I was much stronger than I thought I was and did not need His help?  I did not believe that.  So I continued to call upon Him with the same urgent request.  Later in the day, the news was given to me that I didn't want to hear but I knew in my heart that it was so.  I listened to the words trying to take it all in and yet, I still sent out my urgent plea thru my heart.  Afterwards it was a matter of how to tell others the news.  I sat in the car next to the one I had walked thru 45 years of life with and tried to explain.  My voice cracked, my eyes watered up and my words faltered but in that moment I felt a hand on my shoulder and a gentle voice saying, "you can do this...I am here."

"Even before a word is on my tongue, Lord, you know it all.  Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me." (Psalm 139:4-5)

Thursday, July 12, 2018

There's still hope...

The news, whether it is tv, radio or print, is filled with so much that brings anxiety, depression and anger that I found myself focusing on the event in Thailand.  Here was a situation that could have ended so badly.  We got a miracle instead.  But we also got a glimmer of what is good and kind and positive about our world and that, to me, was the icing on this miraculous cake.

(This drawing was in the July 11th edition of USA Today)

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Happy 4th of July 2018!!

On this 4th of July 2018, I have become increasingly aware that our country is going thru a major shift in unity, loyalty and pride toward the foundations that made our country the democracy it is.  The reasons for this shift I will not go into here as they are my personal opinions and I choose not to debate them in this blog.  So I will instead attach this prayer and hope that all of us who call ourselves Americans look within to see if we are the problem or the solution.

Dear Lord,
So many today misunderstand freedom believing that
it is the ability to do whatever we want.
Help us always to remember
that freedom, true freedom, is being able to do
what we ought to do.
That freedom, true freedom, is not indulging
our every want and whim, but instead is the ability
to rise above any desires that are wrong, disordered,
dangerous or excessive.
Give us the grace always to remember that
true freedom makes us the people you wish us to be,
that true freedom brings us closer to you, and reshapes
our world in the likeness of your kingdom.

Amen.

(printed on facebook by St. Christopher Catholic Church)