Now I See

Life has had some good news lately: on Thursday I received word that I was hired for a good job that should be giving me 40 hours a week (which is great since my current job is giving me only 10 or even less), and I was also blessed to receive news that I was accepted into the Catechetics major program at Franciscan University!  Praise the Lord for these things!  (Catechetics) 

I was also blessed to get to talk to some people in my life who are very dear to me.  On Monday night I got to Skype with two of my "sisters" and one of my "brothers" from my Service Corps family of last summer.  I worked with these three and six others last summer.  We hadn't talked for a few weeks, or longer for some of us, so it was wonderful to catch up and hear their voices again.  We reminisced about where we were a year ago and what we missed, and talked about some things that we wanted to do together this summer.  I hope to be able to be with these three in person in a couple of weeks, God-willing.  

Two days ago, I took the time to go out and do some creative photography, which was a blessing in that it helped me to relax and gave me an opportunity to be creative.  

I was also blessed to receive the sacrament of Penance today, where I received forgiveness, guidance, and understanding of something that I have been struggling with for the last several weeks.  God has given me His eyes to see what it is that He needs me to do this summer, and while I do not expect that it will be an easy task, He has told me not to doubt what He can do through me with the gifts that He continually pours out to me.  (sacrament of Penance)  Trust, always trust.  God does not disappoint.

"Glory in His holy name; let hearts that seek the Lord rejoice! Seek out the Lord and his might; constantly seek his face...When [His people] were few in number, a handful, and strangers there, ...He let no one oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings. 'Do not touch my anointed ones, to my prophets do no harm.... He brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with shouts of triumph.  He gave them lands of the nations they took possession of the wealth of the peoples, that they might keep his statutes and observe his teachings.  Hallelujah!"  -Psalm 105

Little Blessings

Life is full of little miracles.
This is something I realize continually as I go through life.  I praise God that He has made me with eyes that see these miracles, a heart that cherishes them, and a soul that thanks Him for them.  They are His gifts to me, and to every person.  Those who notice these little miracles I believe are those people who know how to live life to the full and see true beauty around them every day.  The message of our culture today demands efficiency and speed to such a degree that most people, as far as I perceive it, miss many of these little blessings that are present in each day.
"Thomas and the Magic Railroad" is one movie from my childhood that holds some special memories for me.  My siblings and I enjoyed watching it many times, and still quote it at times.  One of the characters in this movie, Lily, is described as "seeing magic no one else has time to, like lovely reflections of light on a rainy day."  I always liked that, and I feel like I can certainly relate.  I love songs like "Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas, and "Ordinary Miracle" by Sarah McLachlan that talk about the little things that make life memorable, beautiful, wonderful.

Corpus Christi, the feast in the Catholic Church celebrating the Body and Blood of Christ, was this past Sunday.  I was full of joy on this day because God blessed me with beautiful inspirations and wonder and awe at His presence and Person.  I meditated on the words of the song "How Beautiful" as it described the beautiful hands of Christ that served the poor and sick, the beautiful feet of Christ that walked for miles to teach that I might know the truth and follow it, the heart that bled for my sins, the eyes that forgive and never despise.  This is Christ as He is.  I was reminded again of God's great beauty and the Love that He Himself is.  It was beautiful to experience this again after going through some time of spiritual dryness.  God's grace is like refreshing water to the soul...how great is our God!

God continues to bless me this week (even amid some difficult decisions) as He allows me to take delight in the beautiful flowers especially the roses that are blooming, or see the birds building their nests and the baby robins that are growing up right outside a window of the house, gardening, animals, and good memories.

I don't know if this means anything to anyone, but I hope that maybe it inspires you to slow down and see some of these little miracles in your day, whether it's a warm summer breeze or a starry night.  God's blessings are all around us if we only take the time to look for them.

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow/ Praise Him all creatures here below!"