There are thousands of inspiring messages in our world. Nowadays they usually show up in an e-mail from a friend. They can make us laugh, cry, or nod in silent agreement. But somehow they touch us and we gain an insight or two. They might help us develop a little more compassion, point us in a new direction or somehow confirm we're already on the right track. No matter how they arrive, we have to have a readiness for them in order to actually recognize them and to allow them to take hold inside us. One personal example of this "readiness" comes to mind. Long before "cyberspace" and cell phones, I was a young mother in a failed marriage. I was terribly sad, insecure and very uncertain about how I would, or could, move forward with my life. I was a registered nurse at the time, but I hadn't worked full time while raising my children. I knew hospital work was not for me, so I prayed constantly for help and guidance.
One evening after Mass I read the church bulletin. There was an announcement that the Sisters of St. Joseph needed a nurse in their home for their elderly and infirm. The Sisters! They were my teachers. Their nursing facility was on the same grounds as my high school. I knew them and loved them. They were already a part of my history. I called the number provided and asked to be called for an interview. Something relaxed in me. And then my phone went dead for three days. No dialtone. No service. No good reason.
That was strange enough, but stranger still, the relaxed part of me stayed calm. However, other parts of me went into overdrive. I needed a job. I wanted that job. Before that bulletin announcement I didn't even know there was such job. Now I couldn't think of taking any other. I developed a bad case of the "What ifs." What if they couldn't reach me? What if they gave the job to someone whose phone cooperated with the plan? What if I wasn't what they wanted? On and on.
I should have known better.
The first time the phone rang in three days it was a call from the Sisters. I worked for them for the next four years while advancing my education. They were one of the many, glorious, mysterious and wonderful lifelines tossed at me by the heavens.
One sister in particular was a joy to behold. She was quite young compared to the rest of the population, but she was very seriously ill. She often found ways to encourage others. She once gave me a tattered bible she had "rescued" (I already had several.) She made tapes of music she knew I would enjoy. She even carved a plaque with a design from a Christmas card I had received and shared with her. But the one thing she gave me that meant the most was little piece of paper she handed me with a wallet sized prayer card to St. Michael the Archangel. I still carry both with me over twenty years later. The paper reads:
God has already given you everything you need.
1 Corinthians 3:21
That message went right to my core. In so many words, my right brain said, "If that's true then anything is possible." My left brain said, "So, how to I tap into it?" (EFTers, excuse the pun.) And so began another leg of the journey.
Please know that I know this message is true for you, too. Let's keep walking.....
I now invite you to have some fun and browse through the next few pages. I'll be updating on a regular basis. Enjoy!
Peaceful Moments
Quotes
Earthly Companions
Encouragement
Unity
Science
Humans Being
