I wasn’t going to write a post this week. But I came across a quote on my friend Maria Scaperlanda’s facebook that made me pause – and since there are no coincidences, here is the post.
That’s my take away for the week – from this very long, wearying, pushing-the-limits week: There are no coincidences. Starting Sunday night I was totally sick and completely out of commission for a day and a half, and in recovery two days are that. At the same time I was hit with other unexpecteds – classes started early, my schedule was switched, the workload turned out to be double – basically my perfect plan for the last semester of graduate school all but disappeared. Oh and don’t forget the long uncomfortable dentist appointment and another physical ailment following the first!
But there are no coincidences. During those hard days of being sick I must have prayed thousands of Hail Marys. My only prayer was getting through the current moment. That continued to be my prayer as I gave myself to being present with my clients throughout the following days at work, even as my tired body protested. Lord – grant me the grace and strength for right now! By the grace of God the moments passed, and I slowly got better.
As I tried to jump back into my week, the tiredness hit me again and I had to pray for help right then and there. Just at the right moment, exactly the right song came on KLOVE (It happened twice – the song was “There is a Way” by NewWorldSon , specifically those lines – “you think you’re on your own, gotta do it on your own ridin’ solo). And He reminded me I’m never alone.
And at just at the right moment my friend gave me some of my own ‘medicine,” reminding me what I had once told her when she was sick – sometimes being sick is God’s way of telling you to slow down! I needed to hear that again.
Those non-coincidences happened a few more times throughout the week too – He kept reminding me: be open, listen, I am here – here and now.
All throughout the wearying week I was forced to be in the moment because I couldn’t think (or pray) any farther ahead than that. It was frustrating and exhausting – not a pretty sight. But then – He reminds me that that’s all there is anyways – the present moment. The present moment is where love, holiness and connection is born.
I could lament that it took suffering to remind of this – but I won’t curse the way He works – because it works.
It all came together when I read that quote María has posted:
“Those who have abandoned themselves to God always lead mysterious lives and receive from God exceptional and miraculous gifts by means of the most ordinary, natural and chance experiences in which there appears to be nothing unusual. The simplest sermon, the most banal conversations, the least erudite books become sources of knowledge and wisdom to these souls by virtue of God’s purpose. This is why they carefully pick up the crumbs which clever minds tread underfoot, for to them everything is precious and a source of enrichment.”
~Jean-Pierre de Caussade, S.J. , The Sacrament of the Present Moment
And all those blessings and gifts he mentions – they are for everyone – that invitation of abandonment to God is open to all. Blessed be God for the “sacrament of the present moment.” May these bread crumbs of this past week not be lost on me! And may these blessings in turn bless others. Amen. (…and happy Friday 🙂 ).
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