Hope....and most definitely, Change

Since I'm not a person to say "I told you so," I won't. Believe me when I say it, I prayed SO HARD last week. I took every opportunity to reach out for Divine inspiration but it still happened. Then, I realized what I was praying for. "Dear God, please save our nation." Hmmm. I think I get it now.

Change is coming (where have I heard that?). Not easy, happy change. Exhausting, demoralizing change. We will have to find a way to live with less. We will have to realize our place in this world while we keep our eyes focused on the next. We will have to live as foreigners in our own country (although we may not recognize it as ours after a while). That stinks. It's always better to be on the "winning team". Remember, though, that this is not the ultimate championship. Who reigns on this earth is not important in the long run.

So, let's try to have a little hope. I love that God puts things right in my path when I cannot see clearly enough on my own. When I woke up this morning, I felt like someone had died. My friends were grieving; the world seemed dark. Then I took my children to Mass:

"Do everything without grumbling or questioning,
that you may be blameless and innocent,
children of God without blemish
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life,
so that my boast for the day of Christ may be
that I did not run in vain or labor in vain."
(clearly the Philippians had similar problems)

Yes, I sat up straighter on the "grumbling and questioning" part since I've been doing a lot of that these days.

"If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother,
wife and children, brothers and sisters,
and even his own life,
he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me
cannot be my disciple." Luke 14

Then, I went to a delightful breakfast with all of these cuties.

 

I listened to their stories and I realized...this could be it. All these people who stood before me lived through such difficult, trying, demoralizing things, all for the love of Christ. They persevered because they trusted in the mercy of God and they are now reigning as SAINTS in HEAVEN.

Wait. That's me!!! I want to be a Saint!!! I want to go to heaven!!!

If you're shaking your head yes...then start today. Consider every slight, every difficulty, every trial that you handle with grace to be one step closer to your Heavenly home. God has given us a great opportunity. Don't waste it!

 

Who knows? One day little kids could be dressed up to look like you ;0) Even if they aren't - you will know that, even in the darkness of the world, you tried your best to reflect the light and love of God. That will surely earn you your place.