Listening to a Catholic radio show the other day, I heard the comment, "Never put a comma where God has placed a period."
I got to thinking about how that can be so true. How many times in our lives have we tried to do something our way, but find God has other plans? No matter how many attempts we make, God's Way always trumps us! He pulls us back to His stopping point because that's where we need to be for Him.
You often see this with those called to priestly vocations or convent life. Individuals may have thought to get married & start a family. They may have had high career expectations...CEO of a Fortune 500 company. At each step along that path, something happens & they're unable to meet their personal goals. Does that mean they failed? Nope! It means that God had something better in store for them. His period was placed at a spot in their lives where He wanted them to be.
The more I thought about this quote, though, the more I realized it could be reversed. "Never put a period where God has placed a comma."
It works that way, too! How many times have we reached a point in our lives where we stop & say, "This is it! This is where I'm supposed to be!" -- only to find that it didn't work out? You thought you were settled at the end, but God had different plans.
An example -- You finally found the home of your dreams. It's affordable, perfect for your family, close to everything you need yet far enough for the peace & tranquility you desire, & you can see yourself there for the rest of your life. Then one day...BOOM! The house burns down. You lose your job. Your family has a health crisis. Any number of calamities could arise & you are forced to move from your dream home.
You find something else. That house was not your period. God's comma took precedence & you found something even better.
What about giving up? You've tried to find that special someone, the perfect job, to have a baby. Each attempt is unsuccessful & one day you just stop, throw up your hands, & say, "This is hopeless!" I'm never going to (fill-in-the-blank)! I GIVE UP!"
Shortly afterwards, it happens for you. God erased your period & put a comma in its place. He had a plan all along -- in His time...not yours.
So, no matter where you're placing your periods & commas, stop & take a moment. Pray. Ask God what the correct punctuation is for your current situation. Then patiently wait for His answer. It may not come right away, but it will come!
Monday, September 15, 2014
Punctuated by Christ
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Tethered to Christ
The other night, I had a dream that I was part of a surveillance team. There were about ten of us & we made our base at a house in the country. We entered through the back of the house, which faced a pond & small forest beyond the pond.
I took charge & gathered everyone in the living room to go over rules for our surveillance (who or what we were watching, I do not know!) I had a list of rules, supposedly from a previous time, & started to read them. My goal was to cover the three or four rules already in place, then add any others we as a group felt were necessary.
We got through the first two, then one by one, people started leaving to go off on their own. No one was listening to me...I'd lost control of the group & began to grow angry. Instead of confronting anyone, I just shut down & went to bed. Because I was so angry, I couldn't sleep & decided to go outside for a walk around the pond.
As I was walking, there were three men walking toward me. They were tethered together by what appeared to be a large spider web. I realized that one of the men was Jesus & I knew that I did not want to be in His presence, especially in my angry mood. I started to back away, but when I looked down, I noticed a couple strands of the web were attached to the lower part of my shirt. I started to pull them away, but w/ each part coming undone, more enveloped the rest of my body. I was stuck to Jesus!
One of the attached men was playing a game on an iPad. He grew angry & threw it down. As his anger grew, he broke loose of the web & ran in the opposite direction of Jesus. I don't know where the other man went...he just faded into the dream.
Throughout this time w/ Jesus, He never once spoke to me or even looked my way. However, the closer the web pulled me to Him, the less anger I felt. There was a sense of peace growing inside me. As that peace grew, the web loosened & eventually fell off. By then, I had no desire to leave Jesus' presence. All my anger disappeared, replaced by peace & rest.
The following morning's Gospel (Aug. 12) says, "Unless you turn and become like children..." (Matthew 18:3). Then The Word Among Us reflection for the day stated, "Even if you feel the weight of all your responsibilities, you can still take up a childlike attitude. You can do this by putting a priority on prayer because that's where you'll hear your Father teaching you and guiding you through the pressures of your life."
The prayer at the end of that reflection was the following:
"Father, strip away my self-sufficiency so that I can look to you for guidance. Teach me how to be your child."
WOW! What a message the Holy Spirit sent me through that dream, the Gospel, & the reflection! By allowing myself to be tethered to Christ, not resisting the web that pulled me closer to Him, I was able to find peace through my anger...unlike the iPad man. He let his anger get the best of him, taking over & pulling him further away from the peace that Jesus offers.
The timing on all of this was perfect (isn't that the way w/ the Holy Spirit?) It was later that day that we picked up Matt's car from some major repairs & it stalled on him in the middle of a busy intersection. Remembering my dream & the readings from the morning, as well as keeping my verse for the year in mind ("Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice." Philippians 4:4), I was able to remain calm & peaceful throughout a stressful situation!
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
God Bless the Elderly
Due to variety of things popping up (illnesses, weather, appointments), my "Mom Therapy" friend & I have had to postpone our get-togethers w/ our kids in the past few weeks. On Sunday evening, while her daughter was at church practicing for the youth ministry's Stations of the Cross presentation, we decided to meet at Tim Hortons. We took our older boys along, too.
We let the boys have their own table & it worked out great. They had so much fun talking & laughing, playing a new card game. I kept hoping they weren't making too much noise for other patrons. It wasn't crowded, but these days, you never know how grumpy or impatient others might be.
An elderly woman sat a few tables over w/ her family (daughter & SIL, I believe). She turned around to us & remarked that she was enjoying the boys' laughter. Before they left, she walked over to the boys' table to show them a cute toy that she keeps in her purse...a pink, squishy, rubber turtle that lights up when you shake it. Very Cute!
She then stepped over to our table. Almost in a whisper, she leaned in & said that she just turned 91. WOW! She looked great & I told her that she was beautiful. She then said that her family thought she was nuts. I said that's okay...at 91, she's entitled to be nuts if she wants to be!
As they were leaving, I told them that I hoped the boys didn't bother them. All three agreed that the boys were well-behaved & it did them good to see them having so much fun together.
The whole interaction w/ this family really touched me. It was just a short, simple encounter, but one that has stuck w/ me. I keep picturing that dear lady's face, lighting up & enjoying the antics of these young men of ours. Even now, I'm tearing up remembering this sweet encounter.
God bless the elderly among us! They often go under-appreciated by society, as I see frequently at the nursing home I work at...esp. those who never have a single visitor. They may not be able to do the things they once could. They may not have the same mental capacity they once had. But they are still human beings, children of God who deserve respect & dignity. If only all men & women could be like Mother Teresa, who saw Jesus in those whom she cared for...these dear elderly people would get the love & care they so deserve!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
On Turning 42
So far, I have received phone calls from my parents, Matt & the kids have greeted me w/ hugs & kisses, many Facebook friends have posted their wishes for a happy birthday, & I've received some very nice presents.
Matt couldn't wait to give me my gift when it was delivered, so he gave it to me last week...a Kindle. Now, for quite some time, I've professed to never give up my actual books for an e-reader. But, I've been thinking it might be nice to have one at times. I mentioned it a few weeks ago in passing to Matt, but hadn't fully made the decision. He was listening well & made the decision for me, surprising me w/ this wonderful gift. I did warn him, however, that this wouldn't put a stop to my addiction to book purchases at thrift stores!
My parents gave me a new set of PJs & slippers, as well as some cash (which I'm going to use for a Kindle cover). The Archangel made pancakes for my breakfast this morning. The Saint & The Princess both put their artistic talents to work. He drew a picture on his dry erase board & she made me a crucifix out of Bendaroos. You can see photos of these two gifts in THIS post from earlier this morning. This evening, Matt is treating me to dinner & we're all going to a local Greek restaurant.
42! So, what does it feel like to turn 42?
Truthfully, I don't feel any different than I did yesterday. In most ways, it's just another day. I still have the usual aches, pains, & tiredness. I'm still on medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, an under active thyroid, as well as vitamins (including extra Vitamin D). I still have gray hairs...well, more white & I'm actually okay w/ that. My paternal grandmother had nice-looking salt & pepper hair & my maternal grandmother had beautiful white hair.
I'm starting to notice changes in my vision. Just last week, Matt was laughing at me when I had to hold a bottle away & at different angles to read the small print. Bifocals may be in my near future!
Even one or two of these issues is enough to bring anyone down & make them feel old. However, I realize how blessed I truly am. This realization for most people can only come from the wisdom of old age. My life path didn't take the directions I planned initially, but each step has drawn me into a closer relationship with God...the most important relationship of all. And, as I've grown deeper in my Faith, I've become more aware & open to the blessings in my life...even amidst trials & tribulations.
* I have an incredible husband who loves me w/ his whole being. He takes wonderful care our family.
* I have four beautiful blessings here on earth & one saint in Heaven watching over our family. Each day is a different adventure w/ them.
* I have a great extended family, near & far, offering their love & support through the years.
* I have a wonderful group of friends, both in real life & online.
* I have a job, a home, vehicles, foods on the table, & so much more.
* Most of all, though, I have my Faith & a Heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally...whose love & mercy are enduring.
So far, 42 is great!
