Laughter Is Good Medicine

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22 NIV)  Something that the Bible proclaimed thousands of years ago, authorities in the field of science are confirming the importance of a cheerful heart and the positive effects of laughter to our mental and physical health. "The researchers say that laughing apparently causes the endothelium, the tissue that lines blood vessels, to expand, which increases blood flow. Laughter may also improve arterial health by reducing mental stress, which constricts vessels and cuts blood flow. ‘A healthy lifestyle’—researcher Michael Miller tells—‘would include 30 minutes of exercise three times a week, and 15 minutes of hearty laughter each day.’"[1] Our family experienced a good bit of laughter during our recent time together over the Christmas holiday season. One specific incident started as no laughing matter really, but has ended up offering a cheerful heart to all we’ve shared it with since. Several weeks ago my son, who was married a year ago and lives in Birmingham, called and mentioned that his wife had been sick and throwing up, but was feeling better assuming that it was something that she had eaten. In my eagerness to become a grandparent, I mentioned it to my husband, who is more eager than me. I asked if he thought it may possibly be morning sickness. I didn’t want to jump the gun, but I was sure to be on alert during their upcoming visit to Mobile. On the second day of their visit, we went to church early and my daughter-in-law came home and napped for awhile. My husband and I exchanged looks in the kitchen in hopes that she was tired because she was carrying our new grandchild. I was sure that an announcement was soon to come. On Christmas Eve we were exchanging gifts. I was sitting aside, without my reading glasses, opening a gift from my son and daughter-in-law. As I opened the small package, I found a tiny silver Pandora charm. I couldn’t believe it. It was a baby bootie.  I thought What a clever way to make the announcement – a brag charm… I yelled “What is this? What is this?” Everyone in the room stared at me. My son walked over in a state of dismay and said, “Mom, it is a Christmas stocking charm.”  I said, “What? I wanted a baby bootie and in 9 months, I wanted a grandbaby.”  Everyone in the room burst out laughing and couldn’t believe my crazy mistake. The story has brought much laughter to all we’ve shared it with and I am thankful for a wonderful family to enjoy and build memories. The Good News Version perfectly relates the importance of laughter to our overall health and wellbeing. It says, “Being cheerful keeps you healthy. It is slow death to be gloomy all the time.”   Michele

 

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[1] The Week magazine, March 25, 2005. Cited on Parables, Etc., December 27, 2012.

Where Is Jesus?

 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

I wondered if the color-changing icicles around the perimeter of the house and the brightly lit green wreaths on each window were the final touches to the home located at the top of the hill in my neighborhood. Each day for almost two weeks, new decorations were added to what was beginning to look like Clark Griswold’s house from the movie Christmas Vacation.

 It started with a few lights and a snowman. The next day a white Christmas tree and miniature Eiffel Tower were added. After that more lights and a train became visible. The day after, Santa and a few colored lights appeared. I could hardly wait to walk the dogs each night to see what new Christmas trimming would be on display next. Once it was all garnished, I realized that there was no manger, no sign of Christ amongst the festive ornaments.  As I continued my walk, I begin to look at each yard I passed in search of Jesus or any resemblance of the holiday’s origin. I found very little, just two angels in the midst of some reindeer and snowmen.

Then it hit me, I too had nothing in my yard other than a couple of lit Christmas trees on the porch and wreaths with red bows on the front doors. I laughed at my quick act of judgment for something I was clearly guilty of as well.  It’s interesting how we are eager to criticize and ready to change the world, but somehow have a way of removing ourselves as responsible partners. All day I found myself haunted by the words of Leo Tolstoy, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”   

So I decided that even if it was small, I wanted to add something to our outdoor display as a visible reminder of the reason behind this glorious Christmas season.  I placed a painted canvas on an easel and set it on the front porch with the trees and wreaths. It was the perfect addition and said it all: AND HE WILL BE CALLED MESSIAH…

Michele

Chips, Churches and So Many Choices

 

“Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” I Corinthians 8:6 NIV

Let's see, is it the ranch or nacho cheese flavored chips that my son likes? And does my husband prefer barbecue or sour cream and onion kettle chips? Well, at this point I'm overwhelmed with the variety of choices now available when grocery shopping. Where are the original, authentic chips amongst this assortment?

In class last week I remember feeling similarly overwhelmed when learning about the variety of Christian denominations. I'm currently taking a theology class on the Reformation. As part of the class lesson the professor attempted to diagram a church denominational tree. She started in 1054 with the split of the east and west producing the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox. Along the way, individuals seeking change peaked their heads above the conventional establishment, but most lost them in the process.

The 16th century marked the rise of the Lutherans, Anabaptists, Calvinists, Anglicans, and more. Over the next several hundred years these faiths splintered. By the time we got to the modern era, hundreds of denominations existed. In America, almost all the mainline churches have splintered offering their own collection of choices.

Last week, my niece sent me a text to share her new walk with God. I invited her to go to church with me, but she politely refused saying that she was looking for a non-denominational church. My oldest son and his wife made the same decision a year ago. According to the Baylor Survey on Religion, non-denominational churches are the fastest growing in America. Maybe it's no surprise that when assessing the denomination assortments their ancestors have created, the youth shake their head and opt for no label.

Like the variety of chips and other items at the grocery store, there is obviously a place for this array of denominations and even non-denominations. After all, behind each of our differences is the authentic and original life of a humble carpenter who came some two thousand years ago to offer each of us an abundant life here on earth and an eternal one afterwards, for those who choose to believe and follow him! Does it really matter what denominational difference we prefer? Isn’t the common denominator of our Lord Jesus Christ enough?

Dear God please help me appreciate and respect all my brothers and sisters that worship in Your name.

Michele

The Five-Star Restaurant

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”Acts 20:35 NIV

 

Several months ago, my sister and I started volunteering on Fridays at a restaurant called The Ransom Café. It is a unique restaurant that rotates several locations in the Mobile area. They added my sister’s church to their Thursday/Friday lunch schedule and this is when we became aware of the outreach and decided to become involved. The Ransom Café offers a variety of soups, sandwiches, pizza, salad, and desserts. It differs from most restaurants because there is no set charge; you pay what you can, enabling the homeless, elderly, and those down on their luck a place to get a warm meal for no or little cost. The idea is that those who can afford to pay will kick in a little extra to help those not quite so fortunate.

 

My sister and I generally take orders, pass out drinks, soups, desserts, clean tables, and visit with the customers. I realized last week that The Ransom Café has become something much more than a restaurant; it is a community all to itself. These are few of the stories from last week:

 

Mary * is a frail elderly lady that comes each Friday and generally eats a small bowl of soup and an ice water. We serve sweetened and unsweetened ice tea, but Mary was cold and wanted some hot tea. My sister was missing for a few minutes and the line was building. I looked up to see where she had disappeared; she was carrying a cup of piping hot tea that she had heated in the back which is something we normally don’t offer. This was a small gesture, but one that reminded Mary of her importance.

 

Jane comes in often and when I apologized about forgetting her name last week she reminded me that I could just call her “marathon woman”because of her love for running. She slowed my fast-pace talk down to remind me that she is deaf and my lips moved way too quickly to follow. She is currently out of work and is diligently looking for a job, but this short lunch break gives her a few minutes to share the love of her favorite sport and enjoy a nice meal.

 

Kevin brightens everyone’s day. He has so many physical problems that his mother told one of the volunteers, that it is too many to name. He has a hard time walking and a difficult time speaking, but he is always laughing and smiling. His mother works at the church and every week he gets his food to go so he can eat it upstairs with her. After Kevin’s food is ready, one of the volunteers grabs it and they race to see who can reach the top stair first. It is a small weekly game that both he and the volunteer look forward to.

 

John comes in almost every Friday. He doesn’t seem so happy and is a bit confrontational. He has been known for sending food back as if it didn’t match his order and he was at a five-star restaurant. This week my sister and I were taking a break and eating with our parents. John was getting an order to go when, all of a sudden, all of the volunteers came out of the kitchen clapping and singing “Happy Birthday” to him. I’ve never seen such a smile, his face lit up and it was obvious that he was genuinely touched.

 

My sister and I started working there to bless others, but the blessing has been ours. It is truly the highlight of my week. All of my problems seem to erase when I start taking orders and God always perks me up, even if I am struggling underneath. This must be what our Lord meant when he said, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” Maybe John was on target all along … The Ransom Café truly is a five-star restaurant.

Dear God, Thank you for the opportunity to experience the blessings you tell us about in your word.

 

Michele

 

*All of the personal names have been changed.

www.ransomcafe.com

The Right Path

 

Listen…be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. Proverbs 23:19 NIV

Recently, I had a dream about one of my biggest fears-snakes.  In the past, I’ve had other re-occurring dreams or what I would more appropriately call nightmares about snakes.  This time was different. I was in a dense, wooded area on a winding path riding a bicycle. I was aware of the snakes on both sides of the beaten track, but as long as I stayed in the middle of the trail I remained safe. It was a curvy pathway with many sharp turns and at each bend, I would encounter another oversized worm wiggle my direction. Yet, not one entered the narrow path and somehow I felt quite safe. In my previous snake dreams, I found myself distressed from the impending danger of these creepy, slithering serpents and would wake up exhausted. This time I felt refreshed and reinvigorated.

Unsure if the dream really had any meaning, I decided that I would document it anyway in my journal. As I was writing, I glanced at the bottom of the page where various Bible verses are embossed throughout the journal. The scripture for that day read: Listen…be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. Proverbs 23:19.  I just wonder if the snakes represent the evil we encounter on this earthly journey and God was trying to remind me to be wise in my choices by keeping my heart devoted to Him, which is clearly the right path.

Michele

Golf and Double-Bogie Days

 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature, complete and not lacking anything (James 2:1-4 NIV). 

The game of golf and its parallel to life has always intrigued me. I have spent a lot of time on the golf course watching my youngest son play. Almost without exception, I offer the same advice to him prior to playing in any tournament, “At the completion of each hole, behave the same; whether it’s a birdie or a bogie and don’t let your attitude be reflective of your score.”  Excellent advice...except do I practice what I preach?

When I have a day that feels like I’m out of bounds, in the woods, in the water, and finally buried in the sand, do I behave the same as a day where every ball flows beautifully down the middle of the fairway and the next shot plops perfectly on the green? It is easy to smile when life is delivering eagles, birdies and pars. What about the days we have to deal with bogies, double bogies, and hazards at every turn? Sometimes I find myself in the sand trap of thinking that as soon as my circumstances change, my attitude will also.

In the book of James we are told how to handle life’s trials, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature, complete and not lacking anything.”   The next time I experience a double-bogie day and I find myself out of bounds, in the woods, in the water, or buried in the sand, I’m going to stop and consider that God may be trying to teach perseverance to change me first, before he changes my circumstances.

Dear God help me place my life in your hands and experience your joy during the trials of life.

Michele

The Hanger Games

 

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus  (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).

It was Sunday and fifteen inches of incessant, grueling rain had already fallen since Friday with more expected.  To match the sluggish weather of the day, my husband and I both were feeling flooded with overwhelming financial stress. Fighting, fear and frustration had conquered our weekend.  In the midst of our conversation, my husband was attempting to put back an abundance of tangled hangers on the rack in the closet.  In his frustration, he threw them all in the bottom of the closet.

 In my clean-up mode, I picked them up and attempted a trip to the laundry room where I planned to put them neatly away. I was unable to let go of our earlier discussion and once I made it to the kitchen; I threw the whole bunch of hangers on the floor. I’m not exactly sure what the strategy was of the hanger games the two of us were playing, but I’m pretty sure I won; my hangers scattered much further and some of the annoying acrylic ones broke into tiny pieces making a much bigger mess than his.

  In the midst of my temper tantrum I could only think of one thing, “I just don’t want to do this any longer, I want to go back to my childhood and eat my dad’s famous banana pancakes. I want my biggest fear of the day to be ‘not getting hit with the baseball’ when the neighborhood kids play at the top of the hill.”

 I was shaken back from the 1960’s to the reality of the year 2012, when my husband hugged me and said, “It is going to be okay.” What was at the root of the hanger games? Our fussing and fighting had been a result of allowing fear, frustration, worry and stress to consume our thoughts and lives. In Francis Chan’s book, Crazy Love he says, “Worry implies that we don’t trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives. Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control” (Chan, 42).

The Bible Study that I am currently doing recommended an interesting undertaking. The competition consists of writing thank you on sticky notes and attaching them to items in your home, car etc. I t was inconceivable  the small and large things that I take for granted or think I’m entitled to have such as: a toilet, running water, a coffee pot, a warm bed…  I quickly realized that I would run out of sticky notes way before being able to identify the many things I am fortunate enough to have. On that raining Sunday, had we of been viewing things differently, instead of playing the hanger games, we would have instead been playing this more productive game; one of appreciation and thankfulness for our many blessings.

Michele 

 Work Cited

Chan, Francis. Crazy Love. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook Dist., 2008. Print.

061112

The Ankle Biter

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So that you, together with all of God’s people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ’s love (Ephesians 3:18 GNT).

“Ouch, you mean thing,” I yelled as I was once again attached by the ole’ ankle biter. Every day or two, for no good reason and without any warning, the ankle biter grabs a leg and in one sweep, bites, scratches and runs. Then he nonchalantly sits on the couch unconcerned and passionless.  No one in the family has yet to understand exactly what possess this inappropriate behavior or how he selects his choice candidate, but I’m usually his favorite target. 

About a year ago, my youngest daughter and I were enjoying a day together at her favorite restaurant. While placing our order with the waitress, we got on the topic of animals. We shared our sadness due to the recent loss of our dog of seven years and our thoughts of getting another one soon.  Before she brought out our food, the waitress returned with a customer holding a little black kitten. The waitress had shared our story with the customer and suggested we may want a cat in place of getting a new dog. We were quite reluctant to say yes, because neither of us are big cat fans. The customer said that the kitty was almost hit in a dangerous intersection just minutes before she rescued him. She claims that she would keep him except she had to catch an airplane in a couple of hours and would be unable to take him back to Oklahoma where she lives. So we adopted the little kitty and named him Hagrid. That sweet little kitten turned into an independent, ankle biting cat.

 One day when I was wearing matching claw marks on both legs, I thought, “I’d like to kick that cat to the curb.”  Then, I began to wonder how God puts up with the incessant, improper behavior of humankind.  We mistreat others, often with no good reason, but He constantly cares for us anyway. He continues to forgive when we scratch and blemish the name and reputation of others. And, He continues to show His unending and immeasurable love even when we engage in backbiting or show no compassion by being unapproachable and aloof toward others.

The next time I pass Hagrid and scream as he grazes his sharp claw along my leg, I hope to remember God’s display of love and grace as he offers his lenient hand of forgiveness and mercy for my many transgressions.

Dear God help me appreciate your incredible mercy.

Michele

The Righteous of the Nations

Open up the gates that a righteous nation may enter, one that keeps faith (Is 26:2, NAB, Revised)

In early September, my husband and I spent two weeks in Poland. We visited many World War II memorials, including museums, concentration camps, and prisoner of war camps. One of the most amazing things about the Polish people that seems to be their resiliency. I really had no idea how badly they were affected by the Nazis and the Soviets.  Warsaw had been totally destroyed and has been rebuilt, keeping the flavor of the pre-war years.

The physical rebuilding can be viewed as an outward sign of the stamina of the largest ethnic group in Europe.  I was amazed to learn several facts about the Poles and the Nazis.  In the countries of Western Europe aiding a Jew usually meant imprisonment and possibly death.  In Poland aiding Jews was punishable by death for the person and his/her entire family and yet some experts estimate over 100,000 Poles aided their Jewish neighbors despite the threat of death.

The nation of Israel awards those non-Jews who are known to have helped European Jews escape or hide during those horrific years the designation the Righteous of the Nations.  Twenty-five percent of them are from Poland.  This is a larger percentage than the Netherlands which is the next largest group known for aiding Jews.

Below is a picture of a plaque on the front of the Schindler Museum in Krakow.  The quote, written in Hebrew, Polish and English is from the Talmud.  “He who save a life saves the world.”  

Eileen

Bad Habits

  I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (Rom7:15 NIV)

For the past several weeks Michele has been doing all the writing.  First because Husband and I were away on a trip, but for the last month because I have been too lazy to write anything.  That failure on my part to contribute to the blog is best summed up by Paul’s lament that he does not do what is good for him but persists in doing what is not good for him.

We all share in that tendency to know what good habits we should be practicing any yet we continue to engage in unhealthy habits.  For example, when I get up in the morning I take my cup of coffee and head to my computer where I waste several hours playing online games.  My heart tells me I should be doing something productive, either physically (walking outside) or spiritually (going to Mass or at least some spiritual reading) but I persist in my unhealthy addiction to Facebook games.

I have managed to discover two websites for my iPhone and iPad that are free of charge and are helping turn bad habits into good ones.  Loyola Press has website that includes apps for smart phones and tablets that is entitled  3 Minute Retreat.  It includes simple meditations that are appropriate for any Christian.  I generally go to it just before I go to sleep at night.  The second app is very Catholic.  It is called Laudate and it includes the daily Mass readings, the Liturgy of the Hours and many Catholic prayers.  I have taken to reading at least the morning prayers.  

These are both new habits I am working to develop.  I highly recommend using these electronic gizmos to strengthen our relationship with the Lord.

Eileen

Smelly Stuff

If you really change your ways and your actions… (Jeremiah 7:5a NIV)

There was an ill-smelling, sour odor that had permeated the bedroom for several days. I started blaming the innocent dog and then the guiltless cat, surmising that one of them had left something rank hidden under the bed. When that didn’t pan out, I closed the closet door considering the tennis shoes as the culprit.  Still the odor lingered.  I tried a carpet odor eliminator, a fruit-smelling air freshener and even the burning fragrance of a cookie candle. Still it wouldn’t extinguish the rancid smell that now consumed the room.

Finally, I remembered the small college style refridgerator under the counter where I keep my cream for morning coffee.  I had just purchased a half of a gallon of cream and the carton filled weightless. When I picked up the refrigerator, I discovered the perpetrator: globs of coagulated milk that had leaked on the counter base and under coffee cans…stinky!

Do you ever feel like things in your life just don’t smell right? You know adjustments and changes need to occur, but identifying the culprit may take some real soul sniffing. Somehow when you reach the age of 50, it seems that change gets much harder to address.  I have spent the last 25 years on the full-time job of raising five children. My youngest two are a junior and senior in high school and will soon be moving to new places in their lives. They clearly don’t need me in the ways they did when they were much younger. Our businesses are changing and my life seems to be in a state of transition. Like the bad smell in the bedroom, I know I’ve got to approach those needed changes.  Leo Buscaglia says, Change is the end result of all true learning and involves three things…

First, dissatisfaction with self - a felt void or need (something smells bad)

Second, a decision to change to fill the void (I’m going to find that smell and change things by cleaning it up)

Third, a conscious dedication to the process of growth and change - the willful act of making the change, doing something (I am cleaning up the mess and will not leave the carton of cream on its side again. Then, I am going to move forward in an effort to transform).

 Dear God, I have experience spilt milk and plenty of messes in the first half of my life. Please help me identify the areas I need to change so I may better serve you in this second half.

Michele

Faith Produces Amazing Things

 

Christian Medical Ministry of South Alabama

“Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 NAB).

I shared my concerns with a friend that a miracle was needed in order to solve my situation. A few days after our initial conversation, she called to reassure me that through faith God would answer our prayers regarding this issue. She began to tell me about the miracles and the ways God came through in the life of George Muller who lived in the 1800’s in England and was an Evangelist and Director of the Ashley Down Orphanage (“The Bristol Miracle” 1).

She told me a story of Muller’s orphanage that was often without money or food. One day the children lined up for breakfast and Muller thanked God for the food they were about to eat, but there was nothing in the pantry. The cupboard was empty. Upon finishing the prayer, there was a knock at the door and the local baker appeared. Evidently he had been awakened by a dream the night before and was told by God to bring bread to the orphanage. He left enough for the week. In addition, a milk truck had broken down and gave all the milk to the orphanage because it would otherwise spoil before the truck could be fixed.

As we were discussing this amazing 200 year-old-story, a miracle was happening at the very moment of our conversation. My daughter and her husband were planning a ten-day mission trip to Honduras and I was unaware that they still had not raised enough for the trip. Not long after I hung up the phone, my daughter called and said, “We have all the money we need for the upcoming mission trip.”

That very afternoon, my daughter was out for a run in her neighborhood and randomly bumped into the director of the trip who lived near her. He asked if they had raised enough money to go and she replied, “We are $345.00 short.”  He said, “Not anymore! One of the other couples went over by $350.00, so you’re set to go.”

The friend I had been talking with is my son-in-law’s mother. While we were discussing the faith and miracles of George Muller, a miracle and blessing was occurring that affected the lives of both of our children. This was not the situation I had called her about, but I saw it as reminder that God is still in charge, offering miracles right where they are needed.

Michele

“The Bristol Miracle.” Muller’s. Web. 29 May 2012.

 http:www.mullers.org/

The Mulligrubs

I dedicate this story to my dad who celebrates his 89^th birthday today. He always searches for the good in all situations and does his best to keep others from the “mulligrubs”. Happy birthday and I love you dad.

 

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB). 

I was recently frustrated and struggling as to whether or not I was following God’s direction for my life.  I was praying for guidance, however I was still allowing worry to take control and finding myself in a state of what my dad refers to as “the mulligrubs.” *

Frequently, I take one step forward and two steps back. Instead of letting God guide and occupy my every thought, I allow fear and worry to lead. I know that the only way I will become everything God has created me to be is by eliminating worry from my life. I don’t always follow his advice, but I love what Rick Warren says about worry, “When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, that’s called worry. When you think about God’s Word over and over in your mind, that’s meditation. If you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate!”

I had been listening to George Muller’s audio book called Answers to Prayers and as I completed the appendices, the podcast continued to revert back to chapter 3 part 3. So instead of correcting it for the third time, I decided I would listen to that section again while getting ready for church. In this section, Muller discusses how he identified God’s direction on a particular issue.  He found Proverbs 3:5-6 to be verses that offered assurance in his search. It reads, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB). 

Not having the good sense to realize that the verse might have been God’s direction regarding my struggles, I nonchalantly turned off the audio book. I drove to my sister’s church where I arrived a few minutes early through a side door that I had never entered. As I walked up to look for her, I practically bumped into a granite monument in the atrium that had the following verse inscribed on it; “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” Proverbs 3:6.  I encountered the same verse within a 30 minute period from two very different sources. I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but I am pretty sure that was my answer from God.

 His direction now seemed obvious: memorize, meditate and apply this verse as a source to guide. It certainly beats hanging out with worry that most assuredly leads to “the mulligrubs!”  

*1. A griping of the intestines; colic.
   2. Hence, sullenness; the sulks.

Michele (Peachele)

 

 

Lord, I Love the Beauty of Your House

 "Lord, I love the beauty of your house and the place where your glory dwells Ps 26:8  (paraphrase)

It is interesting how habits begin.  As a teenager I fell in love with the book, The Cardinal. While I loved the main character, his father had a pious habit that I eventually adapted for myself.  The father was a motorman on a trolley line in Boston.  Every time he passed a Catholic church he would tip his hat and say, “Jesus, Mary and Joseph.”  For many years whenever I pass a Catholic church I silently pray a paraphrase of Psalm 26:8, “Lord I love the beauty of your house and the place where your glory dwells."  For the last several weeks while my husband and I have been traveling in Poland and Germany I have only been in one Catholic church, a beautiful Gothic cathedral in Wrolsaw, Poland. 

My parish church has recently started Eucharistic adoration on Wednesdays during the day.  Prior to my trip I signed up for a one hour morning shift before the Blessed Sacrament.  The church is not magnificent like the cathedrals of Europe or even the neo-Gothic churches of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries here in the US.  It is very plain, with very little decoration.  I really do not like the architectural style, the community is the reason I have not changed parishes, and community is an essential part of the meaning of Christianity.

This past Wednesday I went for my first hour of adoration.  It took me a little while to settle down and calm my mind.  In that hour I found beauty in my church.  Between me and the Blessed Sacrament on the altar a peace settled upon me I had not found in many months.  I was aware of others in the church but I was also alone with Him.  Again I could say, “Lord, I love the beauty of your house and the place where your glory dwells.”

Eileen