Simple Words

And the peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6

Growing up in Kansas, I was no stranger to whopper thunder storms!  The hail, the tornado warnings, the wind and booming thunder was all a part of spring and summer.  I am a storm lover and I have my dad to thank for that.  As a little girl, when a big storm would come rolling through I remember my dad would look me in the eye and say “it’s gonna be fine, we’re safe.”  It was such a simple statement but I remember the calm that came with his words.  Once I heard them, I could sit right next to him and enjoy the lighting and the sounds.  His re-assuring words put everything in perspective and allowed me to focus on something other than fear.

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Amazing Parish conference.  It was such a fabulous event and my mind and my heart are still processing all the hopeful, happy and exciting events of that conference.  Before we boarded our flight, I opened my laptop and on social media I saw faithful Catholics pitted against one another arguing about what should be fundamental church teaching and it hurt my heart.  I felt like I was facing a storm and I felt uneasy.  As I sat at that conference  with more than 600 Catholics eager to find ways to bring Jesus to a hurting world, Fr. John Riccardo said something that brought the same kind of peace and comfort to my stormy heart that my dad’s words always did in the middle of the thunder and wind.

Fr. John pointed out three truths.  First, our world is crying; wailing actually. Second, our church is crying and third, we…me, you, all of us are not alive by chance in fact we were born for exactly this time.  Then came the words my heart needed most… “God is not nervous right now!”    It was like my dad saying, “it’s gonna be fine, we’re safe.”  Those words were like a giant blanket of peace.  I still hear those words echo in my mind and I think, of course he’s not nervous…he’s God and he has equipped us for exactly this time and place.  Fr. John reminded us that Jesus doesn’t NEED anything but he WANTS our hearts.  How often do we wonder what we need to do instead of enjoying the fact that we are desperately wanted simply so he can fill our hearts with his love.

In posts to come, I will share some of the amazing jewels from the conference but for now, I just want to leave you with a few simple words.  God’s not nervous…we aren’t needed; we’re wanted!

A Seed To Plant:  Sit with these simple words, be comforted by them and ask God how he wants them to change your heart.​

Blessings on your day