Small But Very Important Insights

Well, how come it is when we are tired and sick, we want to do a lot, but can't?  That’s what I’m pondering.  

My answer? 

Not sure I have an answer, but being sick and tired as I have been these last few months after my stroke has given me time to mull over some of what I have experienced. A perfect way to spend a Saturday.  

I am deeply grateful for all the prayers said for me, and the kind thoughts for me and my family. My stroke was a real surprise, and I’m sure all the prayers pleading with God for my health were answered. I thank each and every person who asked Jesus to heal me. I'm thankful to everyone who shared my need with others and kept me in mind from time to time. God has done a marvelous work. And He continues to help me with several post-stroke issues daily.

Most people want to lift another’s difficulty in some way.

I know for years I prayed for others and kept them in mind when they were sick or injured or hurting.

I’d like to simply share with you now some ways that have encouraged me these past few months – ways which are easy for anyone to do –  a phone call or text conversation can brighten a difficult day. Many times words of encouragement helped to give me a positive attitude. Postal mail is always welcome. A card or a letter can be read and reread. I'm grateful to everyone who sent one along. Catholic friends sent cards that promised prayers would be said daily for my health in the coming year. Some also sent holy cards or said they’d devote a hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Gifts of flowers were up lifting.  My brother and family sent a beautiful bouquet that I could see from my bed in the ICU. And if the patient can handle a personal visit what a good way to let them know you care.   

Because my energy is terribly limited nowadays, I have had not been able to go out for coffee or tea. Just going to Mass takes most of my energy.  I have had quick visits by friends and neighbors bearing food, balloons and flowers. I'm grateful for each one. 

I'm like everyone.  I love to be encouraged and made to feel like I am wanted and important to someone. I have learned that any little thing done with kindness and thoughtfulness is a great help to someone who is hurting. 

Just thought I'd share how others brought joy into my life and courage to keep pushing forward. 

I Am Blogging again at Sacred Images

Today I finally posted some thoughts on why I am still creating Sacred Art....

The post can be found on Sacred Images https://sacredimages.blogspot.com

I Have Been Away

It is almost a year since I've signed into this blog. I was having trouble with my email and with one thing and another I took it off my other computer and forgot about it until recently. I am sorry I did  not publish your comment Patricia. It is such a good one.

However, I am not sorry to have missed the comments sending me to hell and other fun subjects.

Now that I can post again I am sure I will.
~Confused

Prayers Answered

I'm attending adoration once again. During our move I was so tired and befuddled with all the changes that I often forgot the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Our parish here has three days of adoration. I checked once or twice to see when I might go. "Perhaps I'll drop in," I thought. Then I forgot about my decision in the day-to-day needs and challenges of life in Georgia. But my faithful husband was praying that I'd slow down enough to "wait one hour" again.

In March I read a notice in the church bulletin. A new day was being added for adoration during Lent. Oh, my heart whispered, maybe this is the time to return. The second Sunday I read the notice I called to see what times were open. And my favorite time of 12:00 to 1:00 PM needed an adorer (guardian as they are called here).

I have been meeting with Jesus in the adoration chapel for the last three weeks. I am so happy Rich prayed for me to find my way back to adoration! It is a time like no other---that hour of gazing, waiting, praying and being quiet with my Savior.

The Day of Ashes

In 2005, I discovered a seminarian named Michael Rogers. I enjoyed his thoughts about many Catholic subjects and his life as a teacher. His writing was so clear and passionate. It spoke to me on a deep level concerning his Christ centered life. This happened at a time when nothing Catholic could interest me. Since that first encounter I have followed his writing year after year and blog after blog. Fr. Michael Rogers SJ has continued writing in his clear, passionate, lively prose.  Now I find his writing is tempered with loving kindness along with his zeal for Christ and Catholic thought.

On The Road From La Sorta  a more current blog written by Fr. Michael Rogers SJ is where I found this post. It is a perfect start for my Lenten meditations.   

The Long Move

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I wrote in September of our move from Washington to Georgia. Once in Georgia, we looked for a house in order to resettle quickly.

The move into a new home took less time than the moving out from our home in Washington. But the moving in had its own set of difficulties. After we found the house that met our needs, we made an offer. Thus began the back and forth ordeal between agents, loan officers, and others as we tried to buy the house we wanted as our home. It was a very tense time, made so by the miscommunications, undefined goals, the divided attention of the seller's agent and the general "fog of war" that happens in many human endeavors.

Nevertheless, the last week of October brought the day we signed the papers to close, and all the aggravation and heart burn became a "bad dream." The sellers and we buyers were very happy to be through with the process and heartily shook hands. Cordiality was the order of the day.

Filled with delight, we moved into our new home.

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And we moved in. And in. And we are still in the process of moving in. It takes more than the delivery of boxes and furniture, painting and cleaning, sorting and storing. It takes time.

We have been in this house since the first day of November. We've celebrated Christmas with our daughter here, as well as the Super Bowl with our daughter and oldest son (that was a wonderful gift of grace), we learned of our youngest son's engagement here, hosted a new friend to tea, and we await the arrival of an old friend's visit this month. We have prayed and studied, worked and created, laughed and cried, grown closer together as a couple... And yet we still experience the loss of our former life together, in that other place, with those other people, and those other prayers, deeds, emotions, and the feel of those particular familiar habits of our past.

Each day here we move away from past, planting our feet one step at a time into the now and into a future reality.

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As I have pondered our move, I am reminded of others who have done and are doing the same thing. The woman from North Carolina who engaged me in conversation during the first few days after we had arrived from Washington. Then there are our next door neighbors. They just bought their first house and will move from our neighborhood in a few days. I too know the joy of moving from a rental to a home of our own. And then there was a new friend I met during November. She had moved from a town close to the one we left in Washington. How wonderful it has been to share with her our similar experiences in Washington and the Northwest.

All these people moving. Just like me. Our world is not static.

I realize none of my small difficulties or challenges are as gigantic or horrendous as those of others. Every day unnamed people start life anew because of persecution, illness, war, or natural disasters. They are experiencing the same general feelings and reactions I have had these past few weeks. Though at present I sometimes seem out of step and a stranger here, I know I'll discover people are basically the same everywhere. With each new venture into my new surroundings I'll renew my determination to be actively involved within my new community. Time and perseverance will help me to be at home here. I can see that already.

God Bless Those Who Move...

Four Losses Many Gains

Leaving family, culture, home, friends---all are losses.

Arriving, being present to more of our family is a great gift. After years of estrangement, arriving nullifies the preconceived and melds new bonds of appreciation.

Immersion into a new culture challenges the direction we are traveling. It invigorates the will. Excites the imagination and creates understanding.

Settling into a new home nurtures our character. We rethink what we hold most dear. Allow the new and the old to mingle; our life is renewed.

Making new friends brings joy. Acceptance by a stranger validates us. So validated, we reach out to others with confidence and welcome.