Trusting God in the Journey

I am on the cusp of a decision and am asking God for guidance.

A friend in college used to say, "When in doubt, don't." I am leaning on that now. My tendency is to jump as soon as I hear the whisper of leading. I am finding that it's important to wait and pray about it first, as sometimes those whispers are seeds which are intended to come to fruition at later times.

I have been in situations where God led so forcefully that I felt I was Jonah in the belly of the whale; however, much of the time it seems following God's lead is an art that is just beyond my fingertips: almost there but not quite within reach. Yet I keep seeking. Perhaps we are not intended to fully know, which is where trust comes in.

There is a verse in the Old Testament book of Micah: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8) Perhaps any decision is good, as long as it follows that advice; however, I do believe what Jesus says: "My sheep hear my voice." So I am waiting for guidance from my Shepherd.

I'll keep you posted. Until then, will you pray for me? Thanks.

A Big Wow

I came over a hill today and was surprised to see our big, magnificently beautiful lake from a new vantage point. It was actually far more breathtaking than this; I was unable to find a photo that reproduced the "wow" I felt upon seeing it. My heart did a little flutter at the unexpected wonder of the blue expanse stretched before me. (This photo shows a small part of our lake; there is much more!)

If I felt this much wonder today at seeing our lake, how much awe will there be upon seeing Heaven? What kind of "WOW" will I experience when I come upon that view? I can only imagine. Actually, I can't; it's far beyond my comprehension. I don't know when I'll get there, or how long my passage through Purgatory will be, but I know one thing: I look forward to the view (and the Person I'll find) over that hill!

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (I Corinthians 2:9)

Shamrocks, Swords and the Body of Christ

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (I Corinthians 12:27)

People never cease to surprise me, and, honestly, that's one of the fun things in life.

I was waiting in a slow line at the pharmacy today when a member of our parish began conversing with me. Eventually the conversation turned to the tattoo that she had gotten for her 80th birthday. If someone had told me earlier in the day that I'd be viewing a green shamrock tattooed on this 86 year old's ankle, I would have found it hard to believe!

Then there was the time I found out the soft spoken, unassuming auto mechanic who hands out bulletins every Saturday night at Mass is a Medieval sword fighter. How wrong I was in thinking that his life revolved around tires, brakes and changing oil!

I will never again judge anyone based on who they appear to be, and I look forward to the next surprising discovery! However...

...my favorite stories are those that tell of the work of God in someone's life. There is nothing better than seeing the intimate flow of relationship between Creator and creation. Like Michaelangelo, God sees the finished sculpture in the block of marble before it's begun. If we let Him, He lovingly guides the chisel to create His masterpiece in us.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul tells us that we are all part of the body of Christ, though functioning in different roles. Each role is necessary, and none should be considered better than the other. Some of us wear shamrocks, some wield swords, some collect stories. But each one of us is used for the greater glory of Christ.

We are quite a family!

Life and Death, Blessings and Curses

"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life..." Deuteronomy 30:19

God has graced us with the ability to create life; we also hold in our hands the means to destroy it. It seems odd that one would destroy what one has created... yet it's done thousands of times each day, millions of times each year, and tens of millions of times each decade. I'm speaking of abortion.

And sadly, it's legal. While many rightly languish in prison cells for taking another's life, abortion, which stops the beating hearts of the most helpless and innocent members of our society, is condoned, encouraged and even touted as a right. Where is our shame?

Our shame is hidden. It's there, but not acknowledged. Abortion kills, we know that, but it also maims. Abortion causes emotional, psychological and spiritual damage to those who choose it. No parent can take the life of their child without being severely affected. The link between abortion and depression, suicide, substance abuse and self-destructive behavior is unmistakable. With over 40 million legal abortions performed in the U.S. since 1973, and a minimum of two people affected by each abortion, the emotional cost is staggering.

But there is hope, and healing, and grace to be had. There is no sin too big for God to forgive and no wound too deep for Him to comfort. There are vehicles for the healing of those who are victims of our nationwide epidemic.

There are also solutions to abortion, viable alternatives for unwanted pregnancies that don't get talked about enough. That's where crisis pregnancy centers, pregnancy resource centers and centers for life come in, and they need our support. While the abortion industry reaps handsome profits, centers that provide non-violent, life-affirming alternatives normally operate on a shoestring budget and rely strictly on donations.

Next Saturday, April 26, I'm participating in a walk-a-thon to raise funds for a local center for life. Will you help me help them? For more info on this, email me via the link on my profile or simply leave a comment.

Read here for info on adoption. More than two million couples are waiting to adopt a child, even a child with special needs, should one become available.

Read here for info on healing after abortion. Rachel's Vineyard retreats replace shame with healing and forgiveness. There is hope!

Together, we can heal our land! Won't you join me?

Of Labradors and the Lord Above

This may sound strange, but I have learned a lot about God from my dog.

Goldie, our yellow lab, has been part of our family for eleven years now, and typical of her breed, she loves exuberantly and with abandon! When one of her beloved humans comes home, she dances and spins with joy, so much so that I sometimes wonder whether she'll achieve lift like some kind of furry helicopter.

I have often seen her extravagant and constant devotion to us, her masters, as a guideline for what my devotion to my own Master should be. Normally I feel great passion for God, but if I don't, Goldie is there to remind me what it looks like!

Goldie also gives me glimpses of what God feels for us. As extreme as her love is, it's a distant blip on the radar screen (if that) as compared to God's passion for His children. And Goldie's fidelity, constancy and devotion are no match for God's character as played out in our lives.

The Gospel of St. Luke (chapter 15) is a great place to read about the Creator's great love for His creatures. Jesus shares parables that show God's grand efforts to bring His children home and the great rejoicing in His heart when they come.

This morning I stood on the deck and saw Goldie below in the yard. When I whispered her name, her tail began thumping and she came to see me. God waits for my whisper and will respond with joy when it comes. May I never forget that, and may I always listen for and respond to His whispers to me.

Love Is the Builder

"Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the window which hope has opened." Charles Haddon Spurgeon

I may not know where the next staircase leads, but if love built the stairs, I shouldn't be afraid to climb. If hope has opened a window for me, it is one I long to look out.

Love, the builder, always exceeds my expectations; in fact, love is able to do "immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine." Love never fails, and always wants what's best for me. (Ephesians 3, I Corinthians 13)

Hope, which opens the window and offers the view, is the mystery of Christ in me, is full of glorious riches and is alive! (Colossians 1, I Peter 1)

Faith, which helps me begin the climb, is given by Christ, who knows just what I need for it to grow. He makes it perfect. (Hebrews 12)

That sounds like an incredible trio of contractors. Race you to the top!

USS God Almighty

During a family health crisis some years ago, I felt emotionally vulnerable and I found it difficult even to pray. My concern at the hospital overwhelmed me; so much so that it felt I was in the midst of a sea of crashing waves, barely clinging to life on a tiny piece of wood.

The crisis passed and we knew our loved one was going to make it through. Suddenly it became clear to me. Although it felt I was alone and vulnerable in the waves, I had, in fact, been on God's battleship, safely carried through the storm.

We are now in a different kind of crisis. On May 1, my husband's job will be eliminated. You can imagine how that feels with a mortgage, and children (one off to college soon), and two older vehicles that have traveled many miles, and... well, there's no need to go on; you get the picture.

My prayer for this storm is that I will trust God from the beginning, rather than worry, to have the grace to rest in Him from the get-go, knowing I'm on a battleship and not alone in the waves. I want to honor Him with my trust.

Jesus asks me not to worry about what the next day will bring. (St. Matthew records this in his gospel.) Our Lord reminds me that God cares for the sparrows. How much more will He care for me? Peace comes as I rest in this.

So, until this crisis passes, I will pray. And pray some more. He only asks that I trust Him as He steers the ship.

Anchors away!