Category Archives: Taste and See

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God’s Whispers

I think of the times I failed in so many areas of my life. Some small and insignificant, while others changed my future. But most importantly, others could of changed not only the future, but eternity for me. I just “missed the hand writing on the wall.” or, “If it was a snake, it would have bitten me.” All of these and other expressions applied to me.

I remember a little statue I had as a kid of three monkeys’s sitting together with one covering their eyes, the other their ears and the other covering his mouth. The statue represented “see no evil, hear no evil and say no evil. “Is it true today? Yes, and hopefully to a much greater extent for me, but I believe evil is everywhere today. Much more than in the past. The world has changed to such an extent that the children of today will be speaking of life much differently in their future.

I believe I have grown and fortunately somewhat wiser, and because of God’s unending love and forgiveness for me, I now see and have learned to always listen for God’s whisper. It can be in time of need, prayer, help, out of nowhere and for no reason, or just by my love for Him. I am reminded of his total presence in this world and all that is in it. This is expressed beautifully in the You Tube link below and should cause us to reflect.

I hope you enjoy and feel the love God is sending us every day. It is all around us, and maybe you can share and do the same for others in your life, that you care for so much.

And finally for me, these monkeys have served their purpose.

I am so thankful, and there is something for all, with love and patience.

Conor
Find A way

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Insights into Blessed Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen / “Treasures in Clay”

Treasures in Clay”, an autobiography written by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, is the last book penned by Blessed Archbishop Sheen, culminating over 60 books written by him, with the first one published in 1925. His articles, letters of instruction, religious papers and public writings of sermons, are too numerous to count. With his love of the word, both written and spoken, he continued his gospel messages in radio broadcasting, which began in 1930, and was known as “The Catholic Hour.” This continued until 1950 and was carried worldwide by networks and stations, as well as short wave radio, reaching 4 million people weekly. With his radio success and the advent of TV, he began his legendary TV show in 1951, “Life is Worth Living”, in his famous magenta cape and zucchetto. These TV shows were carried by 123 TV stations and over 300 radio stations, reaching 30 million weekly viewers. These television broadcasts ratings surpassed the “Saturday Shows” of Milton Berle and Frank Sinatra in TV viewership ratings. In fact, Bishop Sheen went on to win an Emmy for these shows. I would be remiss if I didn’t share some of his humor, but as he accepted an Emmy for his shows, “he wished to thank his writers; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.” An unlikely scenario in today’s world, as the world truly has changed. Needless to say, his writings and oratory skills played a significant part in the church, and still do to this day.

Bishop Sheen continues to reveal his life and his dedication to being a disciple of Jesus Christ. He brought in understandable interpretations of scriptures and the bible, insightful looks into his prayer life, teachings, retreats, and his little known passion of working for the fallen souls of Jesus. He was driven to converting them back to the church in good standing, and seeing to them; so they continued to thrive in their faith. His exploration between the spiritual bond of Christians and Muslims, and the genealogy, was informative and helpful in the understanding history, and its continuing impact on the world today. I found his question on Fatima insightful when he asked, “Why did the Blessed Mother choose a tiny, insignificant village like Fatima to appear, so that she might be called Our Lady of Fatima?” The Prophet Mohammed’s daughter bore the name of Fatima, and in the Muslim faith, is considered the holiest of all women, followed only by the Blessed Mother. Bishop Sheen continued his reflections back into his early times as a priest, his journeys and worldwide mission work for the poor and hungry, and his time as “Bishop of Rochester,” a place out in the country; far from New York City. His reflections on celibacy, converts, the Second Vatican Council and his tremendous love of the cross, I believe, is a commitment and obligation for us to reflect on, understand and embrace in our journey.

Bishop Sheen’s influence and legacy will continue throughout the church. His readings and sermons are a must for all Christians needing help in their daily lives, and wanting a loving personal relationship with Jesus. He shares his struggles and hardships, his ups and down in the priesthood and explains the must do’s for all priests. His impacts and devotions to finding the “Lost Sheep” for God were relentless. He not only sought them out, he offered his own sufferings for them, so he could do God’s work. I believe the words of Pope John Paul II best expresses Bishop Sheen’s influence on the church. Two months before his death, Fulton Sheen met Pope John Paul II in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. With the iconic picture of the Pope hugging him he said, “You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus. You are a loyal son of the Church.”

As I continue my journey and ministry, I find Bishop Sheen inspirational and a teacher to imitate. He shows the power of the word, both spoken and written, and was always focused on his audience. He brings his faith to bear on those around him, and in particular, to the ones he knows needs God help and love. His daily life long “alone time” in prayer and devotion to the Holy Eucharist, was his source of strength but, his time also to review his relationship with Jesus. Something we must all embrace. He often would ask for “extra splinters” in prayer, so he could take the sufferings of the cross and unite it with his own, as he went forward every day. Bishop Sheen always felt it was better to ask for your cross, because if you didn’t, Our Lord would just put one on your shoulder anyways. And yes, Our Lord answered his prayers for “extra splinters.”

Reflecting on his life, Bishop Sheen shows the way we must travel and it’s the way regardless of one’s perspectives. He teaches embracement, getting out in front of it and always keeping God in mind. He also had a special love and devotion to the Blessed Mother, and as he said, “I always prayed to her and ask for help, and I always knew if I went through her, she would know how to get to her son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.” And in those difficult times, I knew “if she can love me, then Christ is with me.” Secondly, his devotion to developing a personal relationship with Jesus is one that has a profound effect on me, and one I need to always continue daily to nourish and grow. “The more we love Christ the easier it is to be His Alone.” It is to know Christ; not just knowing about Christ. Those words are profound and gets lost in the paragraph. It is knowing Christ; not just knowing about him. It is through this influence that challenges your faith, because you begin to ask yourself the questions which need to be answered. You need and want these answers, as the answers are the enablers for us to move forward. It puts all in perspective for the direction one must begin to take.

What drove Bishop Sheen to his heights throughout the world? What was up most in his mind and what was he always thinking? I have noted some of those answers above, but simply stated he saw a relationship he wanted with God. That was his strength to do what had to be done. He wanted to build the flock for Our Lord and to spread His word. This took on many forms in his words and actions, but for him, it always went back to that relationship. This is significant guidance and direction for me, and one of the major takeaways for me. Bishop Sheen always knew his relationship to God and did not want to disappoint him. If he was ok with God, he knew what he had to do for him. He also kept the cross of our Lord ever so present in his thoughts and his actions. Following the cross lead him to see the beauty of it, and this again for me, is something that is very important and has to always be with me.

As we go forward, we increasingly see the influence of Bishop Sheen in the church. Pope Benedict, in June of this year, began the final step in sainthood by making Bishop Sheen, “Blessed” Sheen. His influence in his teachings and interpretations of scripture are taking on more importance and scope now throughout the world. His ministry for the Propagation of Faith continues to raise the importance of the poor and its missions, and serves as an inspiration for many to follow.

I’ll close in leaving the questions that Bishop Sheen was always trying to find the answers to for his work. It speaks volumes about what I need to do, as it has relevance to the church and its practitioners’ today. They also address the answers to the question, why.

• “Have I really served the Church as well as I should?”
• “Have I used the many talents the Lord has given me?”
• “Have I cast fire upon the earth as the Lord has asked me to do?”

_Conor
Find A Way

Find A Way

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“Forgiveness does not change the past, but forever changes the future.”

Conor
Find a way

Reflective Quotes

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“There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as nothing is a miracle.
The other is as if everything is.”

_Albert Einstein

Miracles

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Love

” We must not grow weary of doing little things
for the love of God,
who looks not on the great size of the work,
but on the love in it.”

lbh
_Conor

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Don’t Quit

When things go wrong as they
sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging
seems all up hill,
When the funds are low
and the debts are high
And you want to smile,
but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As everyone of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won
had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace
seems slow-
You may succeed with
another blow.
Success is failure turned
inside out-
The silver tint of the clouds
of doubt,
And you can never tell
how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when
you’re hardest hit-
It’s when things seem worst
that you must not quit.

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Love and Friendship

“The truth is that the more intimately you know someone, the more clearly you’ll see their flaws. That’s just the way it is. This is why marriages fail, why children are abandoned, why friendships don’t last. You might think you love someone until you see the way they act when they’re out of money or under pressure or hungry, for goodness’ sake. Love is something different. Love is choosing to serve someone and be with someone in spite of their filthy heart. Love is patient and kind, love is deliberate. Love is hard. Love is pain and sacrifice, it’s seeing the darkness in another person and defying the impulse to jump ship.”

― Unknown

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Happy Thanksgiving

“Whatever we do for ourselves dies with us.

Whatever we do for others is immortal and lives on.”

_Unknown

The world has changed to such a lighting pace, it is even more important on days like today, that we reflect and give thanks, as we share it with family and friends. So so important as all our days fly bye, we can only wonder where all the time has gone. And yes, and most importantly; we need to thank our Maker, God.

My blessing for Thanksgiving-

Lord, we thank you for the food we have to share here today, that many do not have.

Lord, we ask for your continued love for us, and may we continue to grow our love for you, and all those we encounter every day.

Lord, may we make the time to stop and make an effort to help those in need. May it be a minute to listen to what they have to say, as many do not have anyone to talk too.

Lord, May we smile to those that are carrying hardships and struggles, so we can lighten burdens in some small way.

Lord, May we show kindness to others, even if it is just simply holding the door for them, so we may touch them in some way.

Lord, judge us on not how big we try to do things for others; rather judge us in the amount of love we do these things for others.

Lord, thank you for all those that have gone before us for making this a great country through their sacrifices, and the families that taught, love and nurtured us, that are now with you.

Lord, may you steer us to use our strengths and skills for others to make a difference. May these gifts you have given all of us, be given away to others, so it may truly become a gift.

Lord, a special request to continue to bless the children and grandchildren here today, and for those who are not able to be with us here today. Let them soar with confidence and never look back.

Lord, finally give our love to all those who have left us to be with you, and tell them we miss and love them every day.

_Find a way!

Conor

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Remembering in our hearts and prayers

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=70Ikj1hZDnw&feature=related

Trust in the Lord and He will help you.
(Prv 20:22b)

This will touch your heart and find that special place in your heart.

Find a way
_Conor

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Reflection/Interview with a Holocaust Survivor (November 9th, 75 Anniversary of Kristallnachat) “Breaking of the Glass”

As we approach the 75th Anniversary of Kristallnachat, “Night of the Breaking Glass,” let us remember in our prayers those who suffered and died; an atrocity beyond comprehension. Let us also say a special prayer for the survivors of the Holocaust, for many still carry burdens even today.

As the numbers of living survivors of the Holocaust continues to dwindle due to age, let them hold a special place in our hearts.

I owe a special thanks to so many for the honor of interviewing one remarkable, beautiful man that taught me so much in those hours of talking. I’m overwhelmed and tear up just thinking of the experience and the love for life that I learned from him.

Thank you.
_Conor

November 2012

Knowing I was about to sit down and interview a Holocaust survivor, was about the most stressful and moving experience I could not thoroughly anticipate. Just thinking about some of the conversations to come, and coming from a person who lived these ordeals, and not just read by someone, was totally overwhelming and very emotional. In preparing for the interview about the Holocaust and the Auschwitz Death Camp, I read all the artices, books and details I could get my hands on, only to the point I just had to put them down. It was making me physically sick and drained. I needed to move on and become focused on a man I was about to meet; he deserved the upmost respect from me.

With everything finalized, I met Dr. M. and his “Austrian” bride. Both were so gracious to invite me into their home to begin our discussions. Mrs. M. was there to listen and give support to her husband, as she was not part of the tragedies of the Holocaust and the Auschwitz Death Camps.

Dr. M. is a man who survived the rule and horrors of the Nazi’s. He became a man today of such kindness and warmth that you would not know his horrific past. But, I believe this is not typical of all survivors, as many have had a difficult time adjusting. His biggest fear today is that the children and people of the world 50 years from now, will read about the Holocaust just as a footnote in history books, and not know the whole story.

Dr. M. was born in 1922 in Berlin, Germany to an upscale Jewish family. His father owned a clothing factory that employed over 500 people, producing all types of garments. This business success allowed his family to live in another part of Berlin, which would benefit them personally in the future. He also had an older brother who went off to study in London a few years after he was born. In talking about his father, he was proud how he had served Germany in World War I, was highly decorated and was promoted in the ranks. Jews and Christians continued at this time to live and work together and be friends. This all speaks to the normalcy of life at that time, but that was about to change drastically with the rise of the Nazi’s.

Dr. M.’s father started to see changes early on coming with the Nazi’s rise to power, much more so than most citizens of Germany. About a year after they came into power in January 1933, he had decided to close his business, as the Nazi’s generally made it difficult for him to continue operating his business. He was forced however to continue, with his business slowly being destroyed, even more so by the Nazi’s. The only way they would allow him to close, was he would have to agree to continue to pay everyone for the next 18 months, or face on-going threats to him and his family. The Nazi’s then set up a plan for him to pay his employees wages weekly at the Nazi headquarters. He somehow was able to do that with his business closed, only to finish those payments just before “Kristallnachat.”

November 9, 1938 was the mark of the tragedies to come, as this date is known as “Kristallnachat” or “Breaking of the Glass.” This is the day of the unveiling of a Nazi’s plan. That evening, the Nazi’s stormed through Jewish neighborhoods breaking all the glass of Jewish homes, offices and all store fronts. The Nazi’s then continued destroying all of their synagogues.

The Nazi’s then immediately began gathering and shipping 30,000 Jews to concentration camps. Fortunately, that night his family was unaware of all that was happening, as his success and prominence allowed them to live in a mixed, upscale section, of the city. The first thing the next morning their phone rang, as the Nazi’s never turned the phones off until later that day. A friend said you must leave now! “Leave your apartment now, as the Nazi’s are coming to your part of town looking for Jews.” They immediately left and went to a department store where they kept moving around in the store, up and down the stairs, so people would think they were shoppers. This continued all day. At a point when they felt people were getting suspicious, they went to other stores and continued to do that all day, as they had nowhere to go. They just didn’t know what to do.

Dr. M’s mother was able to pass as a non-Jew, while his father was very Jewish looking according to Dr. M. His father, trying to avoid the Nazi’s and figure out what to do for the family, decided to go to the hospital. He told a particular doctor he needed surgery. The doctor knew exactly what he meant and admitted him to the hospital. He had 2-3 unnecessary surgeries, which allowed him 5-6 weeks to recuperate in the hospital unnoticed. Meanwhile, his mother went back to the apartment trying to figure out what to do, seeing if they could get papers, just like many others panicked people were doing. His mother found a Christian woman she knew who sent her to see a particular business man and tell him, she was sent by her. Through this woman and business man, they made arrangements to hide the whole family out in the country, unnoticed for a considerable amount of time, while his brother remained in London.

On 9/1/1939, WWII began in Europe with the invasion of Poland by Germany. Close to 50%, or about three (3) million Jews, were killed from Poland. Poland became the most devastated country by the Nazi’s, and to the Jewish race. Ghetto parts of the city were set up for all Jews, as they had to leave their home and all of their belongings behind. The ghettos were slums with horrendous living conditions, with rampant diseases and deaths. Food was scare with many Jews dying of starvation and abuse. Many of these ghetto quarters in cities were relocated by rail tracks for the Nazi’s were preparing for future transportation to the death camps.

The elimination of the Jews was number one (1) priority for the Nazi’s. Even when German Troops needed supplies, or additional troops were needed for the Soviet Union invasion, the rail cars were never diverted from transporting the Jews. Conditions were so bad in the rail cars, that many people, only to survive the Ghetto’s, died in rail cars before arriving at the death camps.

At this point, Dr. M. wanted to talk about the Holocaust in general, the anti-Semitism in the world and touch upon the world at the time of the Holocaust. It was at this point, he extended invitations to come back and finish the above story, as I believe I found a friend in Dr. M., as he did in me. It was just to much in one day to relive these horror stories.

Freedom turned to nightmares and painful memories. Many survivors returned to their homes hoping to find their houses and their family members so they could resume their life. What they found was families and friends were gone, and they were met by hostility, violence and the continuation of anti-Semitism.

Today, Dr. M. states many will not talk. Some, but very little. They all still carry that horror with them, and their children do not know their entire parents struggle in detail. He said as grandchildren are doing papers on the history of the Holocaust, some are opening up to their grandchildren. However, the most devastating and sad aspect is many of the survivors were never able to say goodbye to their children, family and friends and have no place to go today to be with them for closure. The horror continues for them still.

Dr. M. ended our long, tiring and painful discussion on the following scripture:

“Take heed lest you forget
the things which your eyes have seen
and teach them to Your children and
to your children’s children.” –Deuteronomy 4:9

As I begin to reflect on this conversation, I hope it’s apparent from the beginning that this time spent with Dr. M. challenge me, as well as blessed me. With this man, he opened his heart to me and shared his pain and memories. By this interview, I forced him to go back and recall and relive some of those experiences. In many cases, time was needed for those soft heart experiences, where words do not come; it just stands still and remains quiet for a period of time and composure. This was happening to both of us, both as a listener and talking. As I find myself involved in sensitive and painful situations with people, it is these exact times I feel like God is pushing me. It feels like something I am supposed to do by reaching out and helping. However, it becomes not so much what I am able to do for that person, but it is what I am getting back from that person, that is unexpected and most fulfilling.

Today, Dr. Miller believes anti-Semitism still exists and will continue. He shared some of the following regarding anti-Semitism:
• Gertrud Luckner rescued Jews (Ravensbruck) and worked towards the above. She pioneered Jew- Christian relations after the war.
• Freiburg Circle – group in Germany, anti Nazi, was trying to keep the memories of the Holocaust alive and counter anti-Semitism.
• Anti-Semitism strong among Germans, church, cardinals and bishops after the war.
• Restitution never happened. No interest in repaying Jewish victims for their land, houses….
• Rudolf Hochhuth’s play “The Deputy” created shadow over Pope Pius XII.

What interest me and is satisfying at the same time, was some of the shining light of hope in these atrocities. The priests and nuns and the work they did to hide and save so many Holocaust victims. It was the Heroic people that made a difference. The Catholic people from the pews and the pulpits are the ones who did the rescue work and often were killed in their efforts. It was the local church not the universal church, and we should be grateful for their courage. Fortunately, the church recognized some of those martyrs, such as Father MacMillan Kolbe.

In conclusion, what did I learn about myself and my own beliefs? A resounding answer knowing the church’s lower hierarchy (priests, nuns and practitioners; the body of the church) put their teachings, beliefs and religion into action, while the leadership of the church, with its Cardinal and Bishops, were consequently quiet. This had a profound impact on me. From doubts about the church and the Avignon Popes to the over arching question “Where was God during the Holocaust, I’ve come to realize one thing. I believe now more than ever, through growth in my faith and understanding from God, the Cross of Jesus was with the Jews in the camps. Many survivors agree with that, while just as many don’t. However, I believe Jesus was suffering right alongside them while He was giving them strength, grace and faith to survive. Many survivors also talk about the butterflys in the camps. Many of the walls have pictures of butterfly’s drawn on the walls.

Looks like pictures of angels I was told……..?????

_Find a way.

_Conor

Please take a few minutes to explore some of the remarkable evidence in the Museum’s collection from Kristallnacht:

http://act.ushmm.org/Remembering-Kristallnacht

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All Souls Day

On this day, as we dedicate our thoughts and prayers to those that have gone before us, in many if not all cases, we still carry those pains and heart aches. It is all so very tender that feeling of loss, but it is important to think of our loved ones in a place we all aspire to attain. Even as we never completely get over their absence, however, getting through it can give us peace remembering that for our loved ones; life is changed not ended. “The souls of the just are in the hands of God” (Wisdom 3:13).

Maybe on days past we’ve had those times when we felt so very close to them. It may be a place, a particular song or a smell, or maybe we found something that was theirs. Coincidence? And yes, it might be the closeness, out of nowhere, that you feel them with you. Their presence is so strong you don’t know where to look or what to say. Whatever it is, you know they are there and it is real. Yes, we all have those reminders they are still with us and looking after us on our journey.

We are all connected.

These times hopefully help us understand our need to look to God and ask for his continued help and guidance. Thanking Him for all He has done for us and making Him part of our life every day; even in just some small way. It may be a kind and helpful act towards others, sharing our love with those we encounter, or a quiet moment of prayer alone or just silence, alone; just with Him.

“Lord, shine your everlasting light on all my departed loved ones.
May they find rest in your loving arms.
Thank you for giving so that we can live
forever with you in heaven!”

Learn to love God as He loves you.

Find a way.

_Conor

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“How can we expect to find Jesus if we do not
seek him in the states of this earthly life, in
loneliness and silence, in poverty and suffering,
in persecution and contempt, in annihilation
and the cross.”

_Francois Fenelon

Finding God

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PSALM 32: 1-7

“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”-and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

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As we celebrate the solemnity of All Saints (November 1st), I have listed quotes from various Saints for reflection.

• St. Justin Martyr: “The greatest grace God can give someone is to send him a trial he cannot bear with his own powers-and then sustain him with his grace so he may endure to the end and be saved.”

• Saint Benedict: “What is more delightful than this voice of the Lord calling to us? See how the Lord in his love shows us the way of life.”

• Saint Augustine: “We have been promised something we do not yet possess. It is good for us to persevere in longing until we receive what was promised, and yearning is over.”

• Saint Francis of Assisi: “May I feel in my heart, as far as possible, that abundance of love with which you, Son of God, were inflamed.”

• Saint Thomas Aquinas: “The life of man consists in the love that principally sustains him and in which he finds his greatest satisfaction.”

• Saint Catherine of Siena: “When we love something we don’t care of abuse or injury or pain we might have to endure to get it; we are concerned only with satisfying our desire for the things we love.”

• Saint Catherine of Genoa: “God lets the soul share his goodness so that it becomes one with him. The nearer the soul comes to him, the more it partakes of what is his.”

• Saint Paul of the Cross: “The soul whom God wants to draw the deepest union with him by means of holy prayer must pass through the way of suffering during prayer.”

• Saint Alphonsus Liguori: “We must love God in the way that pleases him, and not just in a way that suits ourselves. God wishes people to empty themselves of everything and to be filled with his divine love.”

• Saint Maximilian Kolbe: “Shall the urge for complete and total happiness, inherent to human nature, be the only need to remain unfilled and unsatisfied? No, even this longing can be fulfilled by the infinite and eternal God.”

• Saint Katharine Drexel: “May your faith be increased so as to realize the fact that you are never alone, wheresoever you may be, that the great God is with you, in you.”

• Saint Faustina: “Jesus, I trust in you.”

• Saint Pio of Pietrelcina: “If the soul longs for nothing else than to love its God, then don’t worry and be quite sure that this soul possesses everything, that it possesses God himself.”

• Saint Damien Joseph de Veuster of Moloka”i: “In the face of the too real dangers that surround me I repeat: ‘Lord, I have placed all my hope in you. I will never be confounded.’”

All Saints Day_November 1st

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The Purpose of Me

I must be willing to give up what I am in order to become what I need to be.

How often, if not always, do we think and dream of what we want to be and accomplish in life? Those thoughts, in many cases, reflect our age, where we are trying to go and how fast we want to get there. What standard of life are we trying to attain? Obligations to meet, children to raise and care for, opportunities, college… and the list goes on endlessly. What needs do I have and what path, job, and skill sets do I have to master? What do I need to do to pull all of this off?

All good things. Great goals, and the satisfaction that comes with all that, is what I need and all I’ll ever want. And yes, lest we forget, what sacrifices do I need to make for all of that, for me? Time away from loved ones, missed games and recitals, loneliness, missing the important things in life like family time together and teaching and leading by example to those around me. The important things in life.

A tough balancing act!

So we fast forward 20, 30 or 40 years and what? What is that nagging feeling inside of me? I have all the money I’ll ever need and I have accomplished all I intended to do. Something is missing and how did I not see it? I feel like I lost something and never found it. This is exactly what I wanted to do! And I did “my way.”

I’m not saying the above path is wrong. It’s admirable to set lofty goals and go for them. But remember, this is your agenda and what you set out your purpose in life to be. But, is it God’s path for you? Is this how and what he has asked you to do? Maybe yes, maybe no. Or maybe a different version of what you have done.

Balance? Not “my way,” but maybe “Your Way Together.”

God is love, all forgiving, merciful and patient. Yes, patient. He has given all creation Free Will to do all that they want. But; could I have done what I did in life a little different? Could I have even done it without other’s help, including God’s? Would I of made different decisions if He was part of my life? Would I have had the strength to do more? Would I of found peace that I lost a long time ago? Would my life of been the same, but differ at the same time?

Only one way to find out. Maybe you can begin to pray like you did when you were a child. No? Well, can you just talk to God from your heart like He is your best friend? Can you act like a child again, and just say what you see and think, to Him? He will listen; but then it will be your turn to be quiet, still, patient and listen. And yes, you will know.

Yes, God is patient! Yes, He is loving and does care for me, and I am important to Him! Yes, I know I’ll be alright, and most importantly, He needs to be part of my life, and He is!

That is the purpose of my life!

Thank you God.

“Find a way.”
Conor

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God’s Me

You are who you are for a reason,
You’re part of an intricate plan.
You’re a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God’s special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You’re just what he wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones he chose,
And no matter how you feel,
They were custom-designed with God’s plan in mind,
And they bear the Master’s seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you’d grow.

You are who you are for a reason,
You’ve been formed by the Master’s rod
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God!!!

_Poem by Russell Kelfer
Atheist