Hands of Safety

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted” (Job 5:9 NIV).

 My husband and I were leaving our neighborhood when we had to stop to allow a mother duck and her three itty-bitty ducklings to cross the road. These ducklings appeared no more than a few days old.   I was amazed that these pocket-size ducks were brave enough to be in the mammoth storm that had inundated the streets with rain water.

 My husband had a concern that never entered my mind. The mother duck had crossed and was well into the grassy field, but the ducklings were too small to jump onto the curbing and were being taken away in the undercurrent of the water that had built up next to the curb. Without warning, my husband jumped out of the car, grabbed a duckling that was two seconds from being swept into the underground drain. In a flash, he snatched the other two and dropped them safely onto the grass to join their sibling and mother. The ducklings probably never saw trouble coming and did not comprehend the power and saving hands of something much larger than themselves.  

How often do we find ourselves in danger before its recognizable?  In just the past couple of weeks, I have encountered two close calls that were clearly the saving hand of God. I often think of these encounters as miracles of God through our guardian angels.

The first incident occurred at what should be a relatively safe outing (at least for the bystanders).  I was at a golf tournament watching my son who was on the putting green. I was observing from a distance near a bridge that leads to the next hole. I was intently watching the final putts, when in my nervous state,  I took a few steps backwards. When my foot bumped a rock, I realized that I was just one step from falling into a 20 foot cemented ravine. I was so grateful that my guardian angel had aroused me before I fell backwards and disaster occurred.

The next week as I was driving to the grocery store, I checked my mirrors, and was about to switch lanes when I heard the faint sound of a horn. Not realizing the horn was directed at me, I kept on slowly moving into the left lane. Suddenly, I saw a white car that I was just inches from hitting. I moved quickly back into the right lane and avoided a crash.  On this occasion however the guardian angel, driving the white car, was not quite as happy as the one I had imagined earlier on the golf course.

  In both of these incidents, I was as oblivious as the ducklings to the potential danger. I am so thankful to the power and saving hands of something much larger than myself… “We cannot understand the great things he does, and to his miracles there is no end” (Job 5:9 GNT).

Michele

 

Listening for God

For I know the plans I have for you (Jer 29:11)

I was listening to Catholic radio this morning while driving in the car and the host asked the listeners how they heard God when He talked to them.  Since I had reached my destination I did not hear the answers but it did give me a chance to reflect on how I would respond.  Probably the best way I hear what God wants from me is listening to my husband.  He has very often been the voice of God giving me the direction in my life.

When we were first married he encouraged me to start going back to Mass on a regular basis.  Now mind you he is not a church-goer by any stretch of the imagination.  But I listened to him and started back to church and it made a world of difference.  Quite a few years later he saw an article in the local paper about something called Stephen Ministry.  It is a ministry founded by a Lutheran pastor that empowers members of a congregation to be active listeners to fellow parishioners in crisis, thus taking some of the burden off overburdened pastors.  I went to the meeting and ended up signing up for the next training program at my parish.

The next suggestion from the Lord via my husband was to investigate parish nursing.  That led me to one of the best and most spiritual times of my life.  Parish nursing is an effort to teach members of a faith community about the importance of the connections between faith and wellness.  I wrote short articles for the church bulletins, visited the homebound and the hospitalized.  I helped educate a few members of the clergy on the stages of dying.  

So in response to the radio host I would have to say my husband is the usual messenger the Good Lord uses to tell me what He wants from me.

Dressed for the Occasion

“But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10 NIV).

My husband had a three day tradeshow in Nashville, so while he was working, my youngest daughter Karalee was enjoying time by the hotel pool with my oldest daughter and daughter-in-law. A friend called to inform her that one of their close, mutual friends named Claire had been in a car accident. Things went downhill quickly and she passed away the next morning.

 Karalee had anticipated this being the greatest summer ever as she had celebrated her 16^th birthday just three weeks earlier. Instead, it had been more to deal with than most teenagers ever have to face.  Two classmates had already died; one to cancer and the other to a tragic accident at a lumber company. 

She called me in New Hampshire where I was with my two middle sons at a golf tournament. The original plan was that once the tradeshow was over, my husband and daughters were to head to New England to get us and travel back home. Due to the circumstances, my oldest daughter put Karalee on a plane and sent her back to Mobile so she could be with her friends.

 We returned to Mobile later in the week and as we were unloading the car, Karalee came home from the funeral dressed in a beautiful white dress. I was astonished and said, “Karalee, you didn’t wear that, don’t you know to wear dark colors to a funeral?” She responded, “Actually we all wore white at Claire’s request.”

 Claire had earlier shared with her sister that if she died, she wanted everyone to wear white to her funeral; she didn’t want anyone wearing dark, dreary colors. She wanted others to see her passing as a happy time rather than a sad and depressing event.  There is no doubt that this was a heart breaking incident. But somehow it midst of this tragedy, Claire was trying to remind us that Christ has conquered death and for that reason, it is a celebration!

Michele

Be Still My Soul

For the last few weeks I have been in a blue funk.  Nothing seems to be going right in my life.  Several weeks ago I deliberately skipped Mass.  I just did not want to go near church or people.  That is a good way for me to determine how bad the depression has become.

 

I mentioned this  to a friend and she stressed in no uncertain terms how important it is to go to Mass on Sundays.  Don’t get me wrong, at times I need to get hit upside the head figuratively to get the idea.  The next Sunday I was very tempted to skip Mass but I heard my friend’s voice telling me emphatically to get off my backside and go to church. 

 

Of course I needed Mass, I needed Communion but I also needed one of the hymns we sang at the Offertory.  It was Be Still My Soul set to Finlandia by Jean Sibelius.   Here I offer one rendition of this beautiful hymn.

Snakes Are Still Deceiving Us

If Mama Ain't Happy, Ain't Nobody Happy!

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalms 32:8)

My youngest daughter painted me a cute mint green and white picture for Mother’s Day with the slogan, “If Mama Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy!”  On the back she handwrote the following, “This quote might have to do with the fact that I am grounded this weekend. Happy Mother’s Day!”

I must admit that at first it hurt my feelings a bit.  I’m familiar with this contemporary quote that many people have hanging somewhere in their homes.  As I frowned at the picture, slightly disappointed, both of my daughters assured me that it was not to be taken seriously. 

 Still, I could not help but reflect on the weekend grounding, of which the purpose was to serve as a reminder to discontinue her previous actions. Of course, as a teenager she did not understand that the punishment was to protect her and serve as a lesson. Her brain just cannot go there yet. The master plan I have for her is much like the one God has for us from book of Psalms, where it reads, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you” (Psalms 32:8 NIV).  

Is it not also true that we are unable to grasp the master plan God has for us, especially while we are in the learning stage? While she’s not happy in the midst of the unpleasantness of learning, I always have her best interest at heart. The next time I look at my Mother’s Day picture that says, “If Mama Ain’t Happy, Ain’t Nobody Happy,” I’m going to remember that while going through the learning process on earth, God always has my best interest at heart as well.

Fear Part Deaux

“Give thanks to the Lord on the harp; on the ten-stringed lyre offer praise.  Sing to him a new song; skillfully play with joyful chant.”  Psalm 33: 2-3  NAB, revised edition

A  few weeks ago I was feeling terrified of a potentially devastating diagnosis.  That fear is still lingering in the back of my mind but some interesting things have happened in the mean time to make it more manageable. I have found myself either humming or singing to myself that hymn I do not like “Be Not Afraid.”  A friend suggested that it is my prayer and a sign from God to trust Him.  

Music is a great source of comfort.  When my mother was terminally ill for some reason I clung to the music of “Les Miserables,” which some consider a beautiful tale of spiritual redemption.  During a period of personal confusion and spiritual desolation I found myself constantly singing in my head the beautiful hymn “Hosea.”  As my father was approaching the end of his life I found comfort in the strong, deep tones of the Russian composers, particularly Borodin, Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov, not because Dad was Russian (he was Irish and German) but because he taught us girls a deep appreciation for classical music.

Music is one gift from God that helps make fear manageable, and it is one way that we can praise Him.