A Week of Blessings

I am taking about only this week; every week is a blessing to me, good or bad (in my perception). I sat in on a Bible Study at the local homeless shelter. I am a volunteer teacher, but they haven't needed me yet. I listened carefully to the interpretations of the Scripture and added my thoughts to the proceedings, where appropriate. Fair enough.

Before we got started, I was holding my St. Joseph's bible and a fella said to me he had been looking all over for one. I almost gave him mine. It was a personal gift given to me, signed by my dear friend, and for whatever reason (God was thinking for me), I said thanks but kept it. I got his name afterwards and he told me about his "street" ministry. I almost said I was sure Jesus did not want him living this way, but I kept it to myself. Then another fella came over to me and said he liked my bible. He talked and the conversation came around to the fact it was a Catholic bible. Then he said, maybe being a Catholic was the answer. Saying that is like asking me to drag you to church and convert you. I could barely control myself, but I did.

I also ordered 2 bibles to give these guys, who, I am quite sure, think I said something about finding one for them and won't follow through with it. How little do they know. I can't wait to present that gift, which, really, is to me.

As I listened to them talk on the bible, I couldn't help but notice that, in my mind, they lacked a tangible weapon. They had the Holy Spirit, they have Jesus and God, the Father. But what about Anointing and what about Communion? I know very few people who take Communion regularly and are living on the street. Having the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus inside you, in addition to these other Graces, couldn't hurt, right? Now, for the record, I must say the only valid transubstantiation comes from the Catholic consecrated Eucharist. But I also think, in this case, it doesn't matter. I am going to suggest to them, if I get the chance, that they go to their respective Churches and ask for this. The power of the Holy Spirit will work their minds and they will get benefit from Communion. I pray I am right. I have the office to anoint, to heal (not like Jesus, but to speak in His name). They need this, too, since they are so near death spiritually. It would take guts on my part to offer it (and it must be humbly) and I hope I can do it, if I get the chance.

On Ash Wednesday, I sat in church for the service. I said my prayers. After it was over, the Vincentian Brother came over to me and asked me if I would like to anoint the congregants with ashes. Me??? He said yes. I said OK, and I had an hour beforehand to get a case of nerves like I have not had in a great while. I actually did it and didn't pass out. Like 20 people. They all smiled at me, as I did it. I told the Brother it was the biggest honor I have EVER gotten. He also asked me to do collection, which I never volunteer to do, and I was missing people or hitting them in the head with the basket. I was a wreck. I told Jesus how much I loved Him, and then I got this request to do the ashes. I'd say it was a blessing, wouldn't you?

Through the intercession of my beloved saints and the petitions of others, my friend's melanoma is disappearing. A blessing and a miracle, without question. I spoke to my cousin; stage 2 lung cancer. Not a religious person at all. Now, she sleeps with a statue of our blessed Lord and prays and tells Him of her gratitude for what she has. Her tumors are shrinking. I asked her to do something for me: I asked her to make her commitment to Jesus, in gratitude, and become a catholic, formally. I think she will. Another blessing. The Lord heals.

Then I read a review of my book and it was outstanding. I get to sort clothes tom'w for charity and teach CCD on Sunday. What a week God has given me. And I love Him forever for it, no matter how it turned out.

God Bless,
KJPrice

Thank you , Lord, For Allowing Me To Live Long Enough To Come To My Senses

I am 54 now. I have the whole shebang: gray hair (about 12 of them), sciatica, recent surgery to remove hardware (because I am an idiot; I actually laughed at myself as I lay on the ground, in the middle of a huge street, after falling from my bike 2 years ago), can feel the knees failing ... and if I take one more pill for what ails me, I'm gonna get on the bike and keep riding into the sunset (and falling, no doubt).

I am joking, of course, because age does breed infirmity and is unavoidable. Unless you are a friend of mine who has never been sick a day in his life. Never taken an antibiotic or has been sick enough to. Why his people left Ireland because they were lacking a couple of potatoes mystifies me. Seems to me he could have schouldered anything. Secretly, must be a wimp. I'll will definitely tell him. I am compelled to.

As I lay in bed the other morning, which is my second favorite thing to do, a thought came into my head (that's a first). It wasn't the first time.

"Lord, I want to thank You for not taking me sooner, before I had a chance to come to my senses and repent where needed."

Had He seen fit to take me when I was, say, 30, traveling the world like I owned the place, taking my want of things, getting to know women, leaving, very little charity other than money and putting God second, I'd be writing on paper that was on fire. Maybe not permanently, but enough to scorch the hard edges off me. Where I would have been I have to trust to God's mercy.

So, here I sit today, having learned what is really important: God, church, family, charity, devotion, loyalty, compassion. I always knew this in the back of my mind, but my focus was more me than Him. I had this ache I couldn't get rid of then. I came to my senses with age.

God gifted me. He has work for me to do. I will swallow what I have to and do it, for the least of ours. I sit here typing, in gratitude. I could have paid Him back a lot better sooner. Better late than never, especially since I was given the chance to have the chance.

If this isn't God's love, I do not know what is.

God Bless,
KJPrice