Happy Fall

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.  God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.  He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff---including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.  Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to SHINE for all the world to see!  Happy Fall and God Bless You!
*author unknown

 

Simply Believe

"Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven, Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me."
Matthew 18:3-5.

Not only are children innocent; they are born completely dependent on us and are naturally trusting of us. They need someone to take care of them, feeding and nurturing. As adults, we need to revert back to this childlike innocence of placing our trust in Him many times in our lifetime.  This acceptance and surrender pleases God.  It is difficult when we are attempting to control  various aspects of our lives.  Do we sometimes streamline our prayers into what we want an outcome to be, or do we pray and then accept God's will for that given situation?  Do we keep God out of what we consider some of the private aspects of our lives, but let Him in where and when we feel we need Him?  It is similar to our children asking us for permission for something, thanking us for a favor, or asking for guidance. When my children come to me with any of these things, I welcome the communication.  This perhaps gives some insight as to how God, our Father, might like to hear from us as we pray to Him.

Life Experience:  I came across a story about the first Eucharistic Miracle that took place in  the 8th Century in a small town near the Adriatic Sea in Italy.  The occurrence that took place in this tiny church by a questioning monk fascinated me.  Since my husband had shared with me that he would love for me to go to Italy with him one day, I shared with him that if I did, I thought it would be wonderful to visit the church and view the miracle that is intact some 1,300 years later. 
 Years passed; I visited an exhibit on the many Eucharistic miracles that have occurred over the centuries.  I found the Lanciano story.  More years went by. My husband had business to attend to in Italy, and asked if I  would  accompany him this time.  I replied,  "Let me know every place that you will visit, and I will think about it."  He gave me his list of about four areas where there were companies that he would visit. The only city that was on the Adriatic side was the town of  Pescara.  I eagerly searched a map.  Low and behold, the tiny town of Lanciano was a very short distance from where he needed to be! After all of this time, a secret wish that was filed away as a wild card dream would come to fruition.
 While enjoying dinner with our faith-filled Italian friends,  I enthusiastically started a discussion  about the visit we were planning while visiting their country, and what I had read about the scientific evidence regarding the Shroud of Turin and the Miracle at Lanciano. I started by wishing to discuss the  incredible facts: the age of the specimens, the blood typing and chemistry, and....Franco interjects, no, you Just Believe.....I wish to continue: I know, but it is amazing the centuries that have passed, it is all intact, the fact that the blood studies show.....no, you Just Believe, he says again with much conviction, no discussion.  He stopped me in my tracks, to give pause to think. Do you really need evidence?  Will you always have or ever really need the proof?   Simply believe. Be childlike, trust, accept, and know in your heart.

You Can't Make This Up

Good advice and wisdom can come from likely as well as unlikely sources.  God reaches us through obvious and not-so-obvious persons or places.  I have been reading a little bit from a lot of different books and magazines, spiritual and non-spiritual.  As much as I pause to admit it, while reading through a recent Health Magazine, I was impressed by some sage wisdom.

 "One thing I've learned is that negativity comes from a place of unhappiness and insecurity. When I find myself in the crosshairs of it, I remind myself of this and send love to the haters.  And I know that as long as I have strength of heart, mind, body and soul, all things are possible."  Well said, Khloe Kardashian.  If we can truly love, we can empower ourselves while taking away the power of the destructive thoughts or behaviors of others.

 No one can take away from us what is in our heart.  It reminds me of the writings of  Viktor Frankl in Man's Search for Meaning.  He survived the cruelty of Auschwitz by keeping a deep hope, knowing that alive or dead, the tormentors could not take his spirit.  Life never ceases to have meaning, even in suffering and death.  If he lost hope, he would surely die; if he had a "why", then he might find a way to survive. Very profound. 

 We can find  many ways of living with purpose in our daily lives. Sometimes, we just need to listen and take note of the people with which we have the opportunity to interact.  Maybe we will notice the valuable lessons and insights that the experience will offer to us.
   I have been attending a prayer and study group that is addressing this very topic.  Today we discussed our roles in helping the needy and homeless.  One group member offered her desire to be more hands-on, another wishing not to pre-judge, another to not be judgemental of another's financial distress.  Do we fear having our own personal space encroached upon?  Do we assume when approached in a lower income neighborhood, that we will be mugged? What other pre-conceived notions do we have? 

Life Experience:  I had to leave the meeting a little early to pick my parents up from one appointment to shuttle them to another.  We had time to grab breakfast in between.  As I was preparing to turn left, we spontaneously changed our minds on the restaurant choice.  I quickly got in the other lane and made our way to the destination.  As soon as we parked, three ladies materialized, seemingly out of nowhere. As they were approaching, I was quickly preparing for some sort of confrontation. 
I was feeling a little protective of my aging father and guarding my purse a little bit.  The young lady started requesting donations for a program at her church that treats those with drug addictions.  With much conviction, she states that ONLY through Jesus, can a person overcome an addiction.  They have open beds because not many will truly accept Christ in their hearts to embark on the road to recovery. My dad and I open our wallets and offer her small donations.   This little lady started to warm my heart. I decided to let her into mine, to be open to speak with her.  Why not?  Isn't this what we just discussed, literally moments ago?  I asked how long she had been clean.  Proudly she stated nine months.  God love her.  This is something so close to my own heart.  I truly pray that this child of God makes it successfully.  I turned to go in, but turned back to her to share more of my personal experience with a loved one that has 19 months of success .  She said she would pray for me, and I said I would return the favor.  She offered a hug.  I gladly complied. A complete stranger, a very ironic coincidence.  Uncanny timing.  I just love God's sense of humor.