VASTNESS

VASTNESS
As I envision the vastness of the sea, never seeing where it ends, my thoughts lead me to another vastness, that of Heaven. Up in the skies there is a mighty Kingdom, God’s Kingdom. It is flowing over with love, stretching into eternity. I try to conceptualize what Heaven looks like, knowing it is a nirvana of divine happiness. God provides His domain with peace, calmness, joy and serenity. The tranquility is one of pure bliss. It is time to relax in this harmonious world. There is no more grieving, sadness, pain, worries or judgment. They have been erased from the mind. It is time now to laugh, sing and dance, and even skip merrily if you want. No one will care.
Elegant pools are endless, holding clear, cold water, ever so pure. How fresh the water is, sipping it, tasting it. Awe-inspiring waterfalls hang over the edge of the pools, pouring their crisp sprays of water into the boundless gardens. Gardens of every kind permeate the Kingdom. There are simple gardens of petunias and massive gardens of iris and orchids, unleashing a fragrance of fine perfume. The lush greens and colors make it an enchanted dreamland. Stepping away from the gardens, there are more pools, this time brimming over with warm water. How nice it is to immerse into the pool, with only the gentlest of wave in it, providing a soothing sense of placidity to the soul.
In the distance, there is music heard. The angels are forever joyful, displaying their exuberance through song. Voices, harps and trumpets create a splendid symphony. There is no time in heaven, meaning there are always jubilant sounds heard, as the warmness of the sun radiates upon them.
This grand empire belonging to God holds the generations of loved ones who have left us. They are waiting patiently to grasp the hands of those who have departed from earth, welcoming them to their new home, a timeless life in Paradise.

LIFE

While relaxing in our outdoor hot tub today, I looked around our yard, dormant in its winter state. Fruit trees are bare, as are the trees providing constant shade during those warm months. Gardens hold their withered leaves, snow hitting before they could be neatly manicured for the cold days ahead. Silent are the singing birds, calling out to one another from their hidden nests. The neighbor behind us, bouncing his basketball and throwing hoops, is inside now, bringing more stillness to the air. Another neighbor’s outdoor grill is not releasing the delicious scents of barbecue, no laughter from those gathered to participate in the celebration. Life isn’t over, though. Sprays of green buds will soon appear on trees, a new garden will appear, and the sounds of chirping birds and crickets, bouncing balls and joyful laughter, will come back again. I thank God for the continuing cycle of life, always filled with new experiences and beauty.

The “Eyes” Have It

To know how another is feeling that day, I look into the eyes. It may be the eyes of a friend, an acquaintance or a stranger, holding stories of how life is right now. I see eyes holding a radiant glow, filled with happiness. Others are showing worry. There is a look of fear, questioning what an outcome will be. Eyes of sadness bring me heartache. I cannot help but reach out to this person to inquire if everything is all right. As if eager to tell someone  their story, I hear what is behind those eyes. I can only listen, place my hands on theirs, and say “I am sorry.” Sometimes, it is all an individual needs to hear. I add that God's eyes are looking down upon this person, sharing His warmth and love. He is always there, listening.  Listen back, I say, and a sense of peace will be felt, as His grace of the Holy Spirit becomes a comfort to the heart, mind and soul.

BAGS AND HAITI

As I have watched on television the tragedy occurring in Haiti, I am awakened to how poor this country is. We take for granted what we have in our lives. Right now, I am sipping my cup of tea on the couch of soft pillows, pleasant music playing, books surrounding me, feeling cozy as I look at the snow outside my window.  A whole world away, there are thousands of Haitians wandering aimlessly, not knowing where to go. Lost are their homes, but more profound is the loss of family. Shown are survivors carrying  their sole belongings atop their heads in makeshift bags, as they scurry down a road filled with vast destruction. I look at their bags, basically a large sheet, twisted together at its top in a large knot. I see it is no larger than my kitchen trash bag.  Such a shock, to see how my trash gets filled to the brim daily with discarded items, not making a dent into the amount of contents  I own. I feel shameful.  I pray to our God, to let them know He is there to feel their loss. My prayers also ask for Him to share with me how I can help, as I have the sensation of hopelessness. I will fast today, only eating a bit of food so I may understand what little they have to eat. Instead of buying a book I have been wanting, I will donate that same amount to their cause. I will light my candles, praying they will feel the light of God and his Spirit as they drift aimlessly down another beaten path. Please, dear Lord, allow them to have the feeling of hope as they struggle through the horrendous settings surrounding them. From those surroundings, may they feel your warmth, protecting them as they make it through the toils of another day.

Psalm 146

In Psalm 146, the psalmist is praising the Lord, stating God is eternally acclaimed. It is essential to understand the role of God in our lives. There is no one more important.  He is beyond a human leader, or any human being.  At some point, this human will pass, returning to dust.  But God is everlasting . 

God is the creator of Heaven.  He is the creator of the land, the sea, the mountains, of every living birth. God can heal others and lift up those who have fallen down. He is gentle and kind as He reigns over our present kingdom and Heaven's kingdom.

God will endure, taking care of good and evil, the wicked and kind. He will love everyone. He loves those who do not believe in Him, though He believes in them. He is our King, reigning over us, forevermore.

Thank You

As certain pieces of sacred music are played, it hits my soul.  It doesn't hit me lightly; it is with a mighty force.  I try not to let it affect me. But, it doesn't work that way. I can hear it non-stop, yet I continue to fall apart. The force of God is strong.  None of us can stop what God wants, no matter the way He wants to touch us. I cannot sing even a nursery rhyme, yet hearing sacred music digs deep into my soul. God is telling me that though I cannot sing, I can still have music touch my heart. It is now nearly 1:30 in the morning.  I should be sleeping.  Instead, I want to hear one more 'Ave Maria,' one more 'Alleluia,' one more piece from Bach's ' Magnificat.' I get caught up in the music, not wanting it to end. I thank God for all those He has blessed with a voice directly from Heaven. Those with this magnificent gift are able to affect the rest of of us, more than words can ever say. I thank you.

DON'T GIVE UP

“God doesn't give us more than we can handle.” We  frequently hear these words. At times, I have wanted to say, “Oh yeah? Well you haven't seen what I've been going through.”
However, I didn't give up. I kept going, struggling through what seemed like a deep, dark,
abyss. I  could never imagine seeing a ray of light again. Most of my days were spent in tears, crying to friends and family. I could not realize at the time God sent those particular friends and family members to me, to help me. I never was angry at God for the happenings in my life, nor did I question Him.  Yet, I felt nothing would ever get better. One devastating year went by, then two, then three. In year four, I began to see a sliver of light in that deep, dark forest. The light got brighter as time went by. Now, light surrounds me. God did give me what I could handle. Time is what it took. God doesn't rush things. Through Him, I  learn  nothing is impossible.

ZIGZAG

A few days ago, I was teaching an eight year old, helping to prepare her for the time she will tell a priest when she has been a bit naughty. We met in our living room, sipping peppermint tea as we chatted, feet curled up under us. In the midst of our dialogue about living the way God wants us to, she abruptly jumped off the couch. With excitement, she declared she had a way to show me how God wants us to behave. Walking across the living room, she held her arms down, keeping a 'straight line' as she walked. She told me that was the right path to take. On the way back to the couch, her arms were flying every which way, as were her feet, zigzagging across the room. She called out that this was the wrong path, taking her all the places which weren't right. At times, it is an innocent child who can give us the biggest lesson!

Love and a Phone Call

I have my candle lit and soothing music on.  It is music which seems to affect my spirit and my Spirit. My frame of mind is one which is calling out to God, thanking Him for this peaceful moment.  I often try to set the mood for my prayer and meditation time by having my candle and music close by. It will shut off the rest of the world, giving time only to myself and my God.
Today, my three children, ages 23, 21 and 17 have called me frequently. Some days, I may not hear from the two older ones, who live away from home.  I do not want to interfere with their lives, having 'Mom' check on them.  They know this and appreciate this. When I do get a call, it might a quick one to just say they are thinking of their Dad and I and that they love us.  Other times, like today, they need advice, suggestions, and of course, money! My 17 year old is also out there today, doing errands with friends, calling to ask for an address or where should they look for this item or that. I am pleased they feel comfortable to call, telling or asking me anything and everything.
At the end of each call, we always say "I love you." Never to we fail. It doesn't matter how simple the call is, it still ends in "I love you."
This is how it is with God and me. I can talk to him about anything and everything. I can ask Him for advice and for directions on how to get back on the right path. At the end of our conversation, I always say "I love you!" to Him. I know He smiling back at me, telling me He loves me too!

FIRST THOUGHTS

The first thoughts I have every morning is to say a hello to God, thanking Him for another day. I know I cannot carry out another day without Him. I then pray to Him, asking him to guide me through the present day. My day may consist of personal health issues, taking care of my 94 year old mother and what is bothering her, a phone call from one of our children because they are happy or sad about something, preparing a session for one of my groups at the Church, or deciding what to fix for dinner. Behind every step I take, I must feel the spirituality within me, in what I say and in what I do.  I also tend to pray for others who are angry or tend to be making immoral decisions.  I cannot change them, but ask God to please help them feel His presence, so they may feel at peace. It may take years for them to feel this peacefulness, but daily prayer can help them have a happier, spiritual life.  Never, ever, out of my mind is how Christ died on the cross, to ease my suffering, as well as others, giving all of us a graceful life.  It is always there; it is up to us to open our eyes and acknowledge this.

[1-10-2010 10:51 AM]

M

AGING PARENTS

A special cousin, a good friend, and I have been having discussions on taking care of an aging parent.  It can lead to bitterness, to love, to anger, to laughter.  It can lead to role reversal, with the parent being more of a the child, and the child/caretaker being the parent. There are problems with siblings helping or not helping, or over who should be doing what.  There are parents who are terrific patients and those who are terrible ones. My sweet relative reminded me how hard it is for the parent to realize a good, long life is about over. My friend said  we won't regret all that we did when we could.  Yes, those who help will not feel the guilt that others may feel. Though at times it seems we cannot possibly make it through the hard times, we must take a deep breath, feeling the strength and love of the Holy Spirit. It will help us get through all the trials, tribulations and love of another day. Our patience for the patient will remain, feeling God's unconditional love for both parent and child.

They Made It!

I started out today wanting to write about the Magi reaching Bethlehem to visit the Christ child, bearing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. To me, it is an overlooked feast day in our country, yet it is such a magnificent moment.  However, while doing my daily water exercises, using the time to reflect and pray, I began to wonder about the journey itself. What was the terrain like? What kind of climate did they endure during their sojourn? How far did they walk and how many people were with them? It was time for me to do some research when I got home from the pool!

I found out that if the journey began in Jerusalem, Bethlehem was six miles away.  It was a desert climate. Humidity for this area on today’s weather page shows it at 60%, with 70% of its rainfall falling this time of year. The terrain was rocky, with many steep hills. There was likely a large group following the Magi, as they travailed through to see the newborn King. God was always there, through the light of the bright eastern star. We, too, must feel the light of God, always under our feet, no matter what obstacles we face!