From Where I Sat

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

I won’t pretend to understand the fiscal cliff or all the elements of the president’s health care system nor will I even attempt to unravel the mystery of our national economy. It’s easy to see how folks can get discouraged and suffer from a heavy heart.  I realize without a doubt that I am not a wise or powerful woman who can change any of it.  But I can, and will, pray about it and do my best to share God’s hope and love and joy in an attempt to keep those in my corner of the world grounded in the one true fact…with God all things are possible. Perhaps that’s exactly what God is calling each of us to remember during these crazy times. And if we look carefully, He gives us signs of His love and encouragement every day.

 From where I sat at Mass this morning, I was able to fill my eyes and my heart with so much “good stuff” that I left St. Mary’s Church with a giant smile and a heart that was filled with relief that came from God’s signals, ones that assured me that it’s all gonna be ok!  From where I sat this morning, I saw all the things that were “right” in this world, I left feeling very blessed.

 From where I sat this morning, I saw the adorable chubby cheeks of a little doll who found her voice.  With each happy squeal I was reminded that babies are a signal that God thinks the world should go on.  I had a clear view of three other little ones who peeped and squeaked and giggled and wiggled and I smiled because their parents choose life.  I saw a sleepy, somber ten-month old light up like the Christmas trees on the altar when she recognized and waved at her grinning Grandma three pews behind her.  I watched with a smile as a very patient, kind hearted 3 year old fed her baby sister dry cereal one piece at a time. My heart was warmed when I saw a preschooler singing “We Three Kings” with great gusto even though the hymn book was upside down and turned to the wrong page.

I witnessed the Father’s compassion and love as three pews of family gathered to comfort each other and share the peace of their faith as they grieved and prepared to bury their husband/father/grandfather tomorrow. 
Their glances and words to each other united and strengthened them in their faith and in their grief. 

I watched an 11 year old boy serve as an usher and proudly walk to the front of church carrying an offertory basket just like a grown man.  After Mass I overheard a little boy tell his mom he wanted to go say hello to Baby Jesus and before Mom could catch him he’d made his way to the Nativity Scene on the altar.  He stopped briefly to tell the Wise Man Statue that stood eye level to him hello. As I watched him, I noticed a hand-made birthday card lying beside the manger.  

Church was packed this morning and from where I sat, God was at work. 
The young, the old and everyone in between came because they believe.  The sights and the sounds give witness to the“good” that is in this world.  The happy giggles and delightful squeals and those who gathered to pray, visit, laugh and share in each other’s lives…that’s my signal that as long as we remember the words from Matthews Gospel…we’ll be ok! We need to go forth boldly and say hello to Baby Jesus, make faces at someone’s baby, comfort others or sing with praise and gusto even if we’re on the wrong page.  Those are the ways we remind others that with God, all things ARE MOST CERTAINLY POSSIBLE!

A seed to plant: 
Your job this week is to watch for signals of the “good stuff” God is sending
you.  They are simple and they are abundant…I dare you…see how many you can find in a day.

Blessings on your day!