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Frances kneeled next to her bed and began to sob. Life had been too difficult lately. "Please Jesus, please help me to see things differently. I am in such desperate need of healing. Please don't leave me alone with this problem." After going through half a box of Kleenex and a half dozen prayers, Frances climbed into bed exhausted and fell asleep almost immediately.
Frances woke up the next morning with a heavy heart. She began another day with her problems weighing on her mind. She wondered how she would get through another day. She wondered if God had even heard her plea last night. As she walked down the driveway to get into her car, she noticed something odd. Her neighbor, two houses away, was walking her dog, but there was a strange aura of light around her. Frances rubbed her eyes. "Great," she thought to herself, "Now I can add vision problems to my list of problems, too."
As the day went on, Frances saw theses strange aura of lights around everyone. Some were very bright and almost had an energy to them. Frances was fascinated. It was if she was the only one who noticed them. Just before lunch, Frances sat down at her office desk and noticed a piece of paper folded in half with her name on it. She unfolded the piece of paper and read the message. "Frances I thought you might enjoy seeing how my love encompasses everyone. I have my arms wrapped tightly around you today. I have never left you alone to face your problems. I am always with you. Love, God." Frances quickly looked around and realized she could see God's love everywhere. It was amazing! But what really took her breath away, was when Frances caught her own reflection in a nearby window. The aura around her was almost dazzling. Frances found herself smiling and almost a little giddy. Sure, she still had her problems, but knowing she had God's Love all around her, made her see everything differently.
-Susan
Charlene was surprised to hear the class project was due in two days. "How is that even possible?" she thought to herself. It seemed like she had so much more time for this assignment. She looked over the notes she had taken earlier. "Hmm... I started off good....why did I just stop trying?" Well she had two full days to pull off this assignment. She always worked well under pressure. She felt somewhat confidant she could pull this off.
For the next two days she completely dedicated herself to the project. As the hours passed by, she began to feel less and less confidant. She could have done so much more if she hadn't waited until the last minute. She had so many good ideas, but she completely underestimated how much time she needed. At the end of the two days, she looked at her project. She was underwhelmed. She knew she could have done so much better.
As she approached the teacher's assistant, she had an idea. "What if I just begged for a little more time?" Charlene wondered. "Excuse me, I was wondering if I could get a little extra time to work on my project? I have a few more great ideas that I didn't get around to researching."
"I'm sorry, Charlene, I'm not in charge of the timing. You did understood the importance of this project, right?"
"Yes, I just have so much more to do. This will definitely affect my future, and I feel I could do better than this, if I just had a little more time."
"You know you are not the first to feel this way. It's funny how many people feel they could have done better. The student before you said he had only worked on the project for seventy eight years. Every day he devoted himself to it, and he thought he could still do more, too. I'm sure if you put your heart into it, you have nothing to worry about."
The tears in Charlene's eyes silently steamed down her cheeks. She hadn't put her heart into it. She hadn't given it the time or thought it deserved. She had waited until the last minute, and it was disappointing. She handed the Teacher's assistant Peter her life's project entitled "How I Love God". She had hoped to have had gathered so many more examples. She was so disappointed with herself.
"Charlene, wait right here. The Teacher is going to go over everything with you. Good luck!" Peter smiled and then walked away.
Dumbfounded, Charlene sunk into the nearby chair. She closed her eyes and searched her memory bank. She wondered what she ever thought was more important than showing God how much she loved Him. Oddly, she viewed her life so much differently from that chair.
-Susan
This past week my family was blessed to welcome a new bundle of joy into our family! With the birth of my granddaughter I found myself rejoicing over the gift of life! How incredible is the birth of a child! How miraculous are each and everyone of us!
At one point in our celebration, the nurse came in to give the new parents some instructions. This of course caught the attention of my two youngest. "Mom, she just explained everything the same way you did. I guess you were right."
I smiled and nodded my head in agreement. In my head I thought, "Of course, I'm right. Do you really think I would lead you astray." And, it was at that moment, I realized there were times I may have responded to God's advise in the same way. Why am I so surprised sometimes to discover the wisdom in God's words?
I wonder if He ever smiles at me and says, "Of course, I'm right. I would never lead you astray. You are my child, I love you, and I plan to take very good care of you. "
-Susan
Riggs quickly walked up the path to his front door. He was filled with anticipation. He couldn't wait to get home tonight. He put his key in the door and turned the knob. A smile came across his face as he opened the door. His eyes landed on a familiar face. There was Jesus standing before him in the Divine Mercy Image that hung on the wall. Riggs took his usual seat across from the Image. He just sat there and asked Jesus to let His love and mercy flow through him. No fancy words. No long prayers. Riggs closed his eyes, opened his heart and mind to the Lord, and allowed the silent voice of God to transform him. It was the perfect way to begin his evening.
-Susan
It's easy to check my bank account to see how much money I have spent, or open the closet doors in my house to see how much "stuff" I have accumulated. But, how do I know how much I have loved? How many opportunities have I missed and not given my love?
I don't know how to measure the love I have given. I'm not even sure if I'm living up to my future potential. That's why I'm giving my heart completely over to God, and trusting that His saving plan is truly the best investment.
-Susan
This week we will be celebrating the Feast of Mary's Assumption into Heaven. I thought it would be a good idea to spend some time thinking and preparing for this beautiful feast day. I love imagining this moment. I wonder who smiled more, Mary or Jesus, when Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven? This had to be the most incredible moment for Mary! She had lived her whole life with her eyes faithfully focused on God, and now she stands before Him in heaven, face to face. It had to be an absolutely glorious day!
Perhaps this could be our moment to ask Mary how to keep our eyes always focused on God. If we could see our life with Mary's eyes, what would we see differently? Would we realize our love for God could be so much more than it is? How could we sharpen our vision in order to embrace the vision God has for our life?
Moment by moment, day by day, we are walking towards our own heavenly moment. Can you clearly see your steps, or are they a little out of focus? Ask Mary to guide each of your steps. She knows the way better than anyone.
-Susan
This past week, I was driving across the state when I saw a billboard that read, "Real Christians love their enemies." I spent some time thinking about that as I drove. I asked myself, "Am I a real Christian? Do I really love my enemies?" I mean, it's easy for me to ignore my "enemies". Usually I can even tolerate my "enemies". I have prayed for my "enemies". And, as painful as it has been, I have even forgiven "enemies". But love them--isn't that just asking too much? Jesus didn't seem to think so.
Being a Christian is not easy. Jesus calls and challenges each of us "to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect". Is that even possible? No, not if we try to do it on our own. This is why prayer is so important. With the grace of God, the impossible becomes possible. With the grace of God, hate can be transformed into love. With the grace of God, mere creatures can learn to love as God loves. Perhaps Jesus can ask so much of us, because He knows how generous the Father is with each of us. I think the real question is not whether or not it is possible, but rather do I trust God enough to allow His grace to transform me?
I'm sure the next road sign I saw will not surprise anyone. It said, "Caution. Area under construction." It looks like the path I am on needs some work.
-Susan
