A Stranger Among You
The Unexpected Happens----A Tribute to Skylar
Photo By: Flickr/Jonas Bengtsson
Into our lives daily---the unexpected happens. A lost wallet, searched for and fretted about for hours. Praying, pleading Lord let me find it for my husband. "I will be so happy when it is found, Lord."
"Excuse me! You will be happy when a wallet is found?"
I knew right away what He was speaking to my heart. I immediately lifted up praise and thanks for all that He had done in our life since Easter Sunday---when another unexpected event happened. A daughter, hysterical, calling me to say "Skylar is dead!" I could not understand her and the EMT took the phone and reported they were there on the scene. Our 16 year old grandson was up at 6 AM watching a severe thunderstorm and texting pictures of lightening to his brother. At some point a severe seizure was triggered and all were asleep, unaware of what was happening.
"Excuse me! You will be happy when a wallet is found?"
I knew right away what He was speaking to my heart. I immediately lifted up praise and thanks for all that He had done in our life since Easter Sunday---when another unexpected event happened. A daughter, hysterical, calling me to say "Skylar is dead!" I could not understand her and the EMT took the phone and reported they were there on the scene. Our 16 year old grandson was up at 6 AM watching a severe thunderstorm and texting pictures of lightening to his brother. At some point a severe seizure was triggered and all were asleep, unaware of what was happening.
He was found hours later---cold and blue. It was his habit to stay up late and sleep in. So it was close to noon when Dad went to wake him.
Just as what Christ suffered on the cross, just what Mary suffered watching Jesus suffer---we can only imagine what those parents suffered that day, finding their son lifeless. There are no words that can discribe their sorrow.
So it was that we took an unexpected trip to be with the family and for the funeral two weeks later. Suffering, grieving ---prolonged due to the Covid virus.
Family gathered and friends too, being there for each other. God was there too, through it all, as He promises He will be through all of our lives. Everywhere I looked outside in all of nature --I felt a grandson's spirit ALIVE and happy, flying about on wings of all the birds, waving at me from the limbs of the trees. Mary too came, the evening of our arrival, with the dancing of the sun that changed colors as it does in Medjugorje.
Oh God, Mary and all the angels and Saints--my deceased family members too--all there! All surrounding the family with love and prayers. AS they do for all who have the unexpected happen in anyone's life when a beloved leaves us to go safely home ---unexpectedly.
Fast forward to today---and those words---"Excuse me--you will be happy when a wallet is found?"
Oh dear people. let us not be foolish. NO material possession or amount of money can save us or bring us the joy and happiness that only the Love and Presence of God in our lives can give. He is in all those loved ones around us. DO NOT IGNORE or take them for GRANTED. The unexpected will happen at any given moment of time. WAKE UP---and see what really needs to be seen. Hear what really needs to be heard--and turn off those phones and screens and look at what is alive around you everywhere ---remember---if we do not praise Him the trees and the rocks will cry out their praise.
Remember always--no matter what happens--these words.
"I am in His Hands.
I am receiving His Love as He allows me to receive suffering, sadness and anger too.
I am walking closely with Him--for not to: is to wander back into the darkness the world wants us to be in.
I am seeing, and understanding more clearly how God works in all things to do His work in our lives.
I am believing, no KNOWING that I am loved more than I can ever imagine.
I am loved. So are you. Oh, I am back, back in my Lord's arms---safely home.
We know not what tomorrow will bring, but we know the I Am is already there preparing the way for us to enter into that day.
Let us come to the Altar of God, in silence, adoration but with a thankful heart. A heart FULL of praise and gratitude for all that God does for us. Enter into His Presence with praise and songs, singing out your joy as you come rejoicing back to ZION.
I Am here---as are all of you---we are here in His love and Presence. Let us rejoice and be glad for He is HERE!!
Lord may we see with eyes of faith Who is not seen---but is HERE!!"
Just as what Christ suffered on the cross, just what Mary suffered watching Jesus suffer---we can only imagine what those parents suffered that day, finding their son lifeless. There are no words that can discribe their sorrow.
So it was that we took an unexpected trip to be with the family and for the funeral two weeks later. Suffering, grieving ---prolonged due to the Covid virus.
Family gathered and friends too, being there for each other. God was there too, through it all, as He promises He will be through all of our lives. Everywhere I looked outside in all of nature --I felt a grandson's spirit ALIVE and happy, flying about on wings of all the birds, waving at me from the limbs of the trees. Mary too came, the evening of our arrival, with the dancing of the sun that changed colors as it does in Medjugorje.
Oh God, Mary and all the angels and Saints--my deceased family members too--all there! All surrounding the family with love and prayers. AS they do for all who have the unexpected happen in anyone's life when a beloved leaves us to go safely home ---unexpectedly.
Fast forward to today---and those words---"Excuse me--you will be happy when a wallet is found?"
Oh dear people. let us not be foolish. NO material possession or amount of money can save us or bring us the joy and happiness that only the Love and Presence of God in our lives can give. He is in all those loved ones around us. DO NOT IGNORE or take them for GRANTED. The unexpected will happen at any given moment of time. WAKE UP---and see what really needs to be seen. Hear what really needs to be heard--and turn off those phones and screens and look at what is alive around you everywhere ---remember---if we do not praise Him the trees and the rocks will cry out their praise.
Remember always--no matter what happens--these words.
"I am in His Hands.
I am receiving His Love as He allows me to receive suffering, sadness and anger too.
I am walking closely with Him--for not to: is to wander back into the darkness the world wants us to be in.
I am seeing, and understanding more clearly how God works in all things to do His work in our lives.
I am believing, no KNOWING that I am loved more than I can ever imagine.
I am loved. So are you. Oh, I am back, back in my Lord's arms---safely home.
We know not what tomorrow will bring, but we know the I Am is already there preparing the way for us to enter into that day.
Let us come to the Altar of God, in silence, adoration but with a thankful heart. A heart FULL of praise and gratitude for all that God does for us. Enter into His Presence with praise and songs, singing out your joy as you come rejoicing back to ZION.
I Am here---as are all of you---we are here in His love and Presence. Let us rejoice and be glad for He is HERE!!
Lord may we see with eyes of faith Who is not seen---but is HERE!!"
LIVE this day, serve the Lord, for you do not know the hour of His return--or your going too.
About the Author
Born the youngest of nine children, raised VERY Catholic across the street from Immaculate Heart of Mary church and school—Mom and Dad led by example and word their FAITH in God and saw to it that I was given 12 years of Catholic Education. (Mount St. Mary’s Academy/1965)
But, most importantly, because of my parents’ spiritual renewal after attending Cursillo Weekends, I too went on a retreat at our beloved Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas and there, at age 20, gave my life totally, surrendering all to my Lord and best Friend. This was my “Pentecostal” event that left me, like all the early Christians, on fire with God’s love and forever changed.
My husband Robert and I have been married for 54 this year in a marriage arranged by God. We have 8 children, two in heaven, 24 grandchildren, and 28 great-grandchildren. The story of our life together can be found in a book titled “My Journey, My Cross-As the Journals End,” published by Westbow Press . Our life together has been one awesome up and down roller coaster ride which enriched my heart with so many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have found that the only way, Wisdom, Understanding, Words of Knowledge, Discernment, and Healing can be received is first by experiencing in your life the hurts of others. (and you yourself a sword will pierce)* so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2 v 35.
God has blessed me also many other talents and skills--but sometimes, blessings/gifts can and have caused problems or conflict in my life, as I am human and all too quickly that part of me shows up. Thank You God that You also show up!
Because of the many ways that He has rescued me, and taught me through my trials and tribulations and continuous cries for “Help”--- a weekly podcast radio show called “It’s Me, God” can still be found on www.radiotitans.com
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