It's a gift, not a reward ...

As we approach Good Shepherd Sunday, my spiritual mentor Father Alexei Michalenko offered me this.

"God's love for us as manifested in Jesus is a gift, not a reward.
It's grace, not a salary."

An Angel from God

I met an Angel this week. I went to the chapel on Monday afternoon to pray for a special intention. Normally, I would have gone to the outdoor chapel, the Stations or the Labyrinth, but on this day – it was very windy – I decided to go to the chapel. I sat alone by the windows, or thought so, to read my afternoon prayers – Celtic, Merton and Psalms – and heard a quiet sniffling in the back row. I glanced over and saw a beautiful young lady sitting by herself in contemplation. When I finished my prayers and stood to leave, I knew I had a choice: I could walk out and leave her to her painful meditation, or I could say something. As I approached the door, Luke’s often used words entered my mind. I stopped and turned toward the girl. “Do not be afraid,” I told her, “It will be alright.” She raised her weeping eyes, smiled and said, “Thank you.” I know she was an angel sent to tell me the very thing I told her.

"The angel said to him, "Don't be afraid,Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard."

Luke 1:13

Another Breastplate from St. Patrick

"I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels ...

"I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock."

Questions

From Thomas Merton

"God makes us ask ourselves questions most often when He intends to resolve
them. He gives us needs that He alone can satsify and awakens capacities
that He means to fulfill."

Be Found, Stay Found

From Thomas Merton

"Good Shepherd, You have a wild and crazy sheep in love with thorns and brambles.

But please don't get tired of looking for me! I know You won't.

For You have found me. All I have to do is stay found."

A Simple Prayer

Forgive me, Lord
For all the times
I failed to say "Thank You."

Through the shadow ...

On Tuesday, February 16th, I posted a blog on the old site that I titled “A Story to Remember.” Exerts included:

I do believe, however, that God has given each of us the opportunity to find a calling more in step with his intentions. God moves at his pace, not our pace, and in the final analysis, his will will be done, and if we pay attention, his will will be our will as well.

We will face challenges … challenges as husbands and wives, sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, but I believe if we can approach each day [knowing] that God is helping us move in a different direction that is better for us, we will come out of this as better, stronger people who can set an example for others in our family and in our communities.

Brad and Jesse got whacked, no doubt about it. They might have bent during the previous six weeks, but they never broke. Jesse has taken a risk and started his own company. His clientele list continues to grow, and his product is well worth the investment. I will certainly entrust him with the website for the next book. After weeks of job-hunting and interviewing, Brad accepted a position today that I am certain will be more fulfilling than any previous job he has had.

Mom and I are very proud of how they and their families reacted in a very difficult situation. As well, we are proud of the way Stephanie and Lauren stood by them through dark times. Stef’s family and Nick’s family were there lending their morale support, and Stef and Dave really stepped up to help Brad with the job hunt, and Jesse with new clientele.

Mom and I just came back from the feed ‘n grain with the dog food. We both discussed how God helped each of us in different ways to face the challenge in a positive way. In the final analysis, God is the sole and exclusive reason we have made it through this challenging six weeks in a positive and productive way.

Paraphrasing another posting:

"We raised the sails of our spirits and caught the wind of God’s breath."

Thank you, Lord on this special day of Passover.