Awake oh my soul, Awake!
IT'S GOD, IT'S GOD!!!
Photo By: Flickr/Tambako The Jaguar
Driving down the street, going home after running errands, I was seeing the blue sky, fluffy clouds, and green trees, bushes, flowers---and all of a sudden: a very joyful excitement overwhelmed me. I started to smile, laugh and explain loudly---"IT'S GOD, IT'S GOD!!"
There God was all around me, in the air, the colors and presence of all of His creation. The excitement running through me was as if JESUS, Himself had returned as Promised! HE'S HERE!! His joy was so awesome, I wanted to clap--but I was driving! I, however did keep laughing, and shouting out that joy.
There God was all around me, in the air, the colors and presence of all of His creation. The excitement running through me was as if JESUS, Himself had returned as Promised! HE'S HERE!! His joy was so awesome, I wanted to clap--but I was driving! I, however did keep laughing, and shouting out that joy.
We has just driven the day before over 737 miles in 13 hours. Safely, thank you God--when so much could go wrong driving a Class C RV. Even at the beginning, we had turned right instead of left and gone about 6 miles before saying no, wrong way. Then, about 2 hours into the trip, my husband thinks we may have a tire going flat. Then he makes the remark, and I have no jack. At that point, human me is furious for we knew we were making this trip for over a month, and "you did not mention this fact?" I reminded God that part of My favorite traveling prayers was no flat tires. (We always start any trip with our traveling prayers.) We stopped and tires checked and all good, so off we go again.
As we continued the trip, I said Psalm 23 God does not need to be reminded of His promises--but I need to remind ME of that He is there--always. Leading, guiding, protecting, providing--all the time, in all our ways.
As the travel continued, it was two humans getting tired and defensive, grumpy and irritable that had me praying silently and at times singing softly His praise songs. Thankfully after that 13 hour trip, we made it home! So tired and grumpy, but what else would one feel?
This was why, I was given the unexpected blessing this morning of ecstatic awareness of the Presence of God all around me. He is HERE!!
As the travel continued, it was two humans getting tired and defensive, grumpy and irritable that had me praying silently and at times singing softly His praise songs. Thankfully after that 13 hour trip, we made it home! So tired and grumpy, but what else would one feel?
This was why, I was given the unexpected blessing this morning of ecstatic awareness of the Presence of God all around me. He is HERE!!
The Holy Spirit wanted to open my eyes to the fact, this truth! In all of lives travels, daily excursions, ho-hum daily chores and IN DEALING WITH HUMAN NATURE with aging spouses---GOD IS HERE IN OUR EVERYDAY ORDINARY LIFE!!! It's God: GOD'S HERE!!! No matter what is happening, or how gloom it is all around us--God is happening and He is in control.
Detours in travel, setbacks, sickness, flareups and fights, bumps in life's roads--there are lessons to be learned and reason that these come along our way. Yes, even the death of a loved one, un-expectantly taken from our life. Further along, Father alone, will help us understand why. We will come to see we were NOT in the wrong place at the wrong time and a greater tragedy was avoided. We just don't see it at the moment, when something trips us up. When frustration and anger builds up, it's hard--but we have a choice--"Pray, 'help me Jesus,' hear the Word of God, trust and obey."
Oh what a joy unknown that came this morning, a special gift from my Lord-- and I pray that knowledge and peace persists as any efforts of sneaky snake tries to steal it away. I pray, I plead God please help me to remember the message given today. And God will, for He has given us a great spiritual helper in one so recently made a Saint. Beloved Padre Pio. Padre Pio, lived for fifty years with pain in His side, hands and feet. He knew what it was like to feel "bad, tried, weary and frustrated too."
Detours in travel, setbacks, sickness, flareups and fights, bumps in life's roads--there are lessons to be learned and reason that these come along our way. Yes, even the death of a loved one, un-expectantly taken from our life. Further along, Father alone, will help us understand why. We will come to see we were NOT in the wrong place at the wrong time and a greater tragedy was avoided. We just don't see it at the moment, when something trips us up. When frustration and anger builds up, it's hard--but we have a choice--"Pray, 'help me Jesus,' hear the Word of God, trust and obey."
Oh what a joy unknown that came this morning, a special gift from my Lord-- and I pray that knowledge and peace persists as any efforts of sneaky snake tries to steal it away. I pray, I plead God please help me to remember the message given today. And God will, for He has given us a great spiritual helper in one so recently made a Saint. Beloved Padre Pio. Padre Pio, lived for fifty years with pain in His side, hands and feet. He knew what it was like to feel "bad, tried, weary and frustrated too."
My favorite prayers of his, 'Stay with Me Jesus, You know how weak I am.' And then "Help me Jesus." (These can be found online. )
Here was a very holy, but human man, Priest of God who daily dealt with human nature: just as Jesus did. To quote St. Padre Pio:
"Pray, hope, and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer. Prayer is the best weapon we have, it is the key to God's heart. Do, not tire yourself over things that cause anxiety, preoccupation and worry. Only one thing is necessary, to lift up your spirit and love God. Walk cheerfully and with a sincere and open heart as much as you can, and when you cannot always maintain this holy joy, at least do not loose heart or your trust in God."
It is my hope, my prayer--that we all come to full awareness that GOD IS HERE and receive this great joy in our heart and in our lives. Look around you--everywhere, and KNOW deep in your mind and heart GOD IS HERE!!!
Here was a very holy, but human man, Priest of God who daily dealt with human nature: just as Jesus did. To quote St. Padre Pio:
"Pray, hope, and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer. Prayer is the best weapon we have, it is the key to God's heart. Do, not tire yourself over things that cause anxiety, preoccupation and worry. Only one thing is necessary, to lift up your spirit and love God. Walk cheerfully and with a sincere and open heart as much as you can, and when you cannot always maintain this holy joy, at least do not loose heart or your trust in God."
It is my hope, my prayer--that we all come to full awareness that GOD IS HERE and receive this great joy in our heart and in our lives. Look around you--everywhere, and KNOW deep in your mind and heart GOD IS HERE!!!
Here is a link to find many more of St. Pio's spiritual advice for you.
https://www.padrepiodapietrelcina.com/en/spiritual-counsels-of-padre-pio/
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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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